Sir Alex Ferguson pictured for first time since seeing Man Utd contract ripped up

Sir Alex Ferguson has been pictured for the first time since his contract was ended by .

The iconic figure, now 82, retired from management back in 2013 but has remained a regular at Old Trafford. He took on an ambassador role which saw him earn in excess of £2million-a-year. But at the end of the current season,

Ferguson was told in a face-to-face meeting with Ratcliffe, who has made it known that the club are trying to reduce costs and were no longer in a position to continue paying him beyond this season. Sources have since indicated that the meeting was amicable.

Ferguson, who remains a non-executive director, was seen out late on Tuesday evening as he posed for a picture with a fan after leaving Cibo Restaurant in Hale Village, Cheshire. The legendary manager was understood to have enjoyed dinner with former United kit man Albert Morgan.

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According to , Ferguson and other members of the club’s board will also be prevented from entering the team’s dressing room after games. It is a tradition that has been in place since Sir Matt Busby’s time at Old Trafford. Ferguson has not regularly taken up the invitation but was a regular visitor during his time as an active board member.

A number of ex-United players who played under Ferguson have spoken out against the decision - Former forward among them. Sharing a picture of him alongside his former boss, the Frenchman wrote on social media: “Sir should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. Such a lack of respect. It’s totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!”

Ratcliffe has previously underlined his admiration for Ferguson and has previously been spotted alongside the Scot whilst at Old Trafford. The team haven't come close to winning a league title since Ferguson's retirement.

The INEOS chief previously said: “He was the first person I met when I went up there which I think was the second week of January and I had a meeting from 9am to 10am at his house and I left at 1pm. He never stopped. He’s got a lot of experience, a lot of stories to tell and a lot of thoughts about the club.

“I don’t think he has been encouraged to get involved but he is still very thoughtful about the club and he has an immense amount of experience. He really understands the values and traditions of the club and what it’s all about. He’s still fiercely competitive, Alex Ferguson.”

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