The Manchester City squad have been tipped to fund Sir Alex Ferguson's contract after Manchester United ended his deal with the club.
Ferguson is set to leave his Man United ambassador role at the end of the season.
He was given the position following his retirement in 2013 and was reportedly paid £2 million-a-year.
However, INEOS has parted ways with Ferguson amid the club's cross-cutting drive.
But their decision to axe the legendary manager has angered former players including Rio Ferdinand and Eric Cantona, who made his feelings known in a strongly-worded post on social media.
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Speaking to talkSPORT, Stuart Pearce has suggested an idea to make matters even worse for Man United.
He's proposed the Man City squad to pay Ferguson's wages each year to keep him at Old Trafford, calling the potential idea a 'classy' move.
Pearce, who played and managed the Blues, said: "Wouldn’t it be good if the Manchester United squad said we’ll fund that money per-season to keep Alex in post because he’s too important to this club?"
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He added: "I got a little bit mischievous and thought, what if Manchester City players said, wouldn’t it be good if we chipped in and paid Alex Ferguson’s wages each year to keep him in place for what he’s done for that club across the road, that is going to inspire us on a weekly basis.
"It would be classy. You’ve sacked your best ever but we’ll fund him, it’s no problem."
INEOS' decision to terminate Ferguson's contract comes after Man United have endured a miserable start to the new season.
Erik ten Hag's side have already suffered three league defeats this season as they occupy 14th place in the table.
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The under-fire boss reportedly has a couple of fixtures to save his job.
Topics: Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester City, Manchester United, Football
Nasir Jabbar