SIR ALEX DESERVES A JOB FOR LIFE

>> Shock at club's treatment of legendary Scottish manager >> Cantona blasts Ineos chief's decision as 'totally scandalous'

- JOHN DINGWALL & ANDY NEWPORT

TWO Scottish football greats told of their "shock" after Manchester United sacked Sir Alex Ferguson as a club ambassador.

Billionaire businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe brutally axed Fergie amid savage financial cuts at Old Trafford.

Ex-Aberdeen and Scotland star Alex McLeish and doyen of Scottish football commentators Archie Macpherson couldn't believe the decision.

Last night, Ferguson's old friend Archie, 89, said the move was "no way to treat a legend".

He added: "I'm shocked by the news that Fergie had to go. It's no way to treat a legend and he is a legend.

"It seems almost as if you're telling a pupil you're expelled from school. He is a great man who created history for himself and the club. I'm still trying to recover from the news and trying to make sense of it, because, by comparison, they've probably got the worst manager in decades and Ratcliffe is playing around with Sir Alex.

"So it simply doesn't make sense. I think it reflects on the man who's now calling the shots at Old Trafford.

"I don't know much about Ratcliffe other than that he's a very successful businessman. Is he trying to show that he's ruthless? "If he's doing that, he's simply showing insensitivity and stupidity." He added: "I still feel that Fergie is seen as a symbol of renewal because he renewed Manchester United. He went down there and made them the club that they are now. Without him, they wouldn't have had the achievements they've had.

"I think he's so integral to the Manchester United image. You think Manchester United, you think Fergie.