Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Manchester United players have 'downed tools' in recent games.
United fell to a disappointing defeat at the hands of top four rivals Newcastle on Sunday as the Magpies leapfrogged the side into third in the Premier League table.
The result means the Red Devils are winless in three Premier League games after losing 7-0 to Liverpool and drawing 0-0 with bottom side Southampton before the international break.
They face a fight to finish in the top four at the end of the season, with the side currently fifth and behind Tottenham following Spurs' draw with Everton on Monday.
Ferdinand slammed the players' attitude on his FIVE show, insisting they have let standards slip since winning the Carabao Cup in February.
'It seems like they've won the Carabao Cup and downed tools,' the former United defender began. They think they've done enough, that's what it feels like. They've got to get out of this rut.
'The performance on Sunday. Seize the moment! It's the moment, it's top four. Take the opportunity. Understand what is there. What are the requirements for you?'
Ferdinand called for United's players to be more aggressive in dealing with their recent issues.
They have already picked up one trophy this season, but are still fighting for two more, with the possibility of winning the FA Cup and Europa League still present.
The 44-year-old called for the players to 'strangle' each other to understand the seriousness of the situation.
'Luke Shaw mentioned they had a meeting after the game,' he added. 'They need to be strangling each other, there needs to be some pushjing and shoving, up in people's faces. So people understand this is the serious business end of the season.
'If David de Gea doesn't play we're bang in trouble, it's probably five or six.
'I thought mentally they'd got beyond this. I thought we'd eradicated the feeling of the Brentford game (earlier in the season). I hope it won't rear it's head again.'
United are back in action on Wednesday when they face Brentford at Old Trafford in league action.
ars1217
0
no, no, no and no, if ten hag drops them,who are the efficient alternatives in those positions?
Pellistri should be given oppertunity RW.. By putting Rashford in CF Sancho should be used in LW.
Andy_Mac
0
You'll see when he returns... Given the amount of hate you have, you'll never understand the facts
Hate? [Crylaugh] How childish you are!
MwenePuta
0
Casemiro played against Liverpool and you still got destroyed 7-0. Don't give excuses for the team not turning up
You'll see when he returns... Given the amount of hate you have, you'll never understand the facts
hezbdopty
0
A mixed bunch of allsorts.Sancho.Antony.Weghorst.etc
Leolion111
0
The problem is that the players don’t have the strength to keep pushing harder when the games become tougher check the past season and you’ll realize what I’m saying,the only reason we were able to make it this far is that the coach bought two experienced players who were able to keep goin when the workload is getting much and that’s Casemiro and Eriksen others don’t have the energy and I believe when they get back on track things would change again so we need to invest in so many areas at least get someone to challenge Bruno
FootballRealist
2
Could be true or has the season come where MU has run out of gas..playing every 3 days could take a toll..not much rotation as we don’t have the bench that has the quality. Injuries etc..all play towards fatigue..so blaming ETH is ridiculous as he has taken this half so called team to the next level..Glazers need to wake up and sell so ETH can have the backing to sign players he wants to turn this team into greatness…
macrox
1
Man United is the first team in premier League history to be; 3rd on Saturday 4th on Sunday 5th on Monday
valverde7
0
2 1 was permanent though 👍
What did that win you? 3-1 UCL Final was permanent… 2-0 UCL Final was permanent 🤫🤫🤫 stfu and stay in your lane
MichaelBrowne
2
We need consistency in the team!!!🔥 this is Manchester United we hate defeat 🔥
Gerrardsami
2
from our last three lost matches ETH is to be blame, for keeping weighorst and dalolt after first half of the game this dudu called weighorst is nothing contributing any thing, UTD need a good striker and another right fullback
Manpowe
1
Exactly my observation...just after the carabao cup,our team's performance is below par.
Hasacikprt
1
We want a captain
Andy_Mac
0
You supposed to know better man! Don't you see that it's all the effect of Casemiro?
Casemiro played against Liverpool and you still got destroyed 7-0. Don't give excuses for the team not turning up
Bumblprst
1
Too Red card for case cost man united
feyabcilp
1
Surely you mean they've turned into tools!! "Bag of tools"
Gudiest
0
man united since carabao cup final😂🤣
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You are not in position to taunt man utd mumu
maturidikxith
3
man united since carabao cup final😂🤣
Nepbcnrtz
1
yes oo, we gonna to better the next day
Emchi
0
It's okay but we'll make top four.
gashantalle
0
the once title contenders
JeffersonDOG00
1
Manchester United needs new players next season, they need a striker and two new wingers. Mitoma will be fine, and Harry Kane as a striker too. Not Werghost, or Martial. we also need new owners, not the fucking Glazers.🤦🏽♂️
Charlesugwu
1
Sign of small mentality.
Vybes1
0
Rio Man U was surviving on luck, there are no quality players there now reality is upon them , those useless overrated Antony’s and the Mac Fred not talking about the ever running for nothing Ghost
It wasn’t on luck, Casimero and Eriksen have been holding the midfield for us. Nothing good will come from Fred and mctom. This shows that we need better beach players. The magic was in the midfield
Kingval60
10
Too much love this club Man U lovers let's gather here if you believe we are going to win another trophy 🏆 this season
fuzbiklopu
1
Bruno complains too much the team is on course weghorst is not a strikers but a good marker but the Newcastle match have further exposed what is missing in Man United team but the reality is we didn't invest on any striker but we're on course for a treble
and u think the treble will happen?
bicaimnos
5
manchester united is a champion league team,we need to play next season in champion league rather in europa league,
KHMMURU07
0
Bite me
Ain't delusional Rainbow like you 🤣🙏
AmoGmanchester
0
Bellingham will be another Sancho...we don't need any overrated English prats
Sounds better , still we can look for other alternatives
jauceklnst
0
That game we lost ETH was to blame... Let's sell Sancho, Weghorst,Elanga, martial, Mctominey,Jones, Maguire. loan out Antony, pelistli,Dalot.. and bring back Greenwood. Summer transfer window if possible Harry Kane, Rasmus, Bellingham, two more defenders, and a defensive midfielder.
Bellingham will be another Sancho...we don't need any overrated English prats
Pahimrst
2
Eric is too slow in thinking need lessons from pep ,
AmoGmanchester
0
the only one to blame it's the stupid so called coach he see the mistake but his pretending to support the stupid guy weighorst which z doing nothing for Manchester united n dalot z not good enough for the right back Bissaka it's a better option n wen a player z not doing good kind sub n that thing of playing two number 6 in one game it won't take us anywhere if tomorrow game change the midfield bring Fred in n sabitzer u see how will be good enough
Exactly on Weghorst he's being blind and that's dangerous, Weghorst is dragging us down and our must wake up
AmoGmanchester
2
That game we lost ETH was to blame... Let's sell Sancho, Weghorst,Elanga, martial, Mctominey,Jones, Maguire. loan out Antony, pelistli,Dalot.. and bring back Greenwood. Summer transfer window if possible Harry Kane, Rasmus, Bellingham, two more defenders, and a defensive midfielder.
Fadakmopt
4
the only one to blame it's the stupid so called coach he see the mistake but his pretending to support the stupid guy weighorst which z doing nothing for Manchester united n dalot z not good enough for the right back Bissaka it's a better option n wen a player z not doing good kind sub n that thing of playing two number 6 in one game it won't take us anywhere if tomorrow game change the midfield bring Fred in n sabitzer u see how will be good enough
General002
0
Rio Man U was surviving on luck, there are no quality players there now reality is upon them , those useless overrated Antony’s and the Mac Fred not talking about the ever running for nothing Ghost
Stdismas
0
Unlike you 🤣They are off to
Bite me
tamabeinoz
1
That's the game for you sometimes you win sometimes you loose you can't just be winning all the time that's impossible am always united whether wining or losing and believe Erik is the best since Ferguson and I believe we will win the Europa league and even the fA cup if possible💯
Even OGS was second in his first year in charge. Jose won you the Europa and was 2nd in the league not Coca Cola trophy and you are saying eth is the best.. the coach is the clueless I’ve ever seen..it’s rashfords form that made him look good.
Legendry2020
0
bruno fernandes some times very lazy, vara ne and martinez some times slipping, sabitzer not up to the mark,weghorst very disappointed ni real striker, with no support wingers are slowing down, man utd need commanding football, if they play like this they slipped out of top four. need casemiro and erikson back, rashford plays as main forward
The loss shows over reliance on Casemiro nothing more we all know Weghorst is leaving in the summer We need MCFRED to step up in Case absence
Legendry2020
0
Bruno Fernandez is the unidentified weak link in the team. Antony scores and assist if given the right pass. rashford score if given the right pass and that is determined on Bruno having a good day or bad day. he has been inconsistent. absence of casemiro and eriksen have exposed him again. I don't think he deserved to be in the team.
How can you blame Bruno when there’s no one to pass the ball to him from the midfield I think the loss shows our over reliance on casemiro if McTominay and the rest can’t step up or deputize Case they should be sold and we should sign either Declan Rice and Frankie De Jong and osimhen
Thibo5œtoúçh
1
there's lack of communication in man united team players 👎🏾👎🏾👎🏾 Erik Ten Hag should buy both defensive and middlefield players🤞🏾😩
gyles45
0
Big factssss… along with their deluded fans… the way they carry on, you’d swear they’re Premier League and European Champions 🤣🤷🏽 The reality is that they had some form… nothing was permanently repaired
2 1 was permanent though 👍
Lumbcektz
1
Man U top scorer has already started his holidays at New York.. what do you expect?
Licbikny
1
man utd players is so very egois
Manutdmyheart❤️
0
wow just 1 player is making so impact man utd became on of the best team in world to shambles 😭😭 excuses
U wit very low football knowledge... yesssss 1 players can make a very much difference.. dats how when smone gets a red card.. the game change.. if u know wat i mean.. but if u dont know.. then jus sit quitely stop embarrassing urself
Maybcdorz
1
The difference is clear United were too full of themselves and the ego was too real they labelled themselves favourite added the hyped by like of Neville didn't help either . . . Arsenal were hated in every corner and were laughed off when Arteta stated them they will be champ but today those hate and critics became their strength and boom they have gone on to be at top from zero to hero meanwhile United went from favourite to now even hanging on to be in the top 4. . . Besides Bruno thinks the world revolves around him since pulling on an arm band sadly he lacks the mentality to lead such a glorious giant like Red Devils
[image]
Bruno is not good but a lucky player, and that guy is jealous,and sucks 😞😔 too much
Maybcdorz
0
Bruno Fernandez is the unidentified weak link in the team. Antony scores and assist if given the right pass. rashford score if given the right pass and that is determined on Bruno having a good day or bad day. he has been inconsistent. absence of casemiro and eriksen have exposed him again. I don't think he deserved to be in the team.
agree 👍💯
Manutdmyheart❤️
1
Yes absolutely rght.. n how come we still playing disaster players dat never improve since day 1.. like dalot tominay sancho.. united was bad all this years with dis players playing.. we improve after getting few new player.. but when they got injured we r back wit all this stupid player dat never change..n i realy dont understand dat we as a normal football fans could sense n see from the start dat which player cant perform.. n need to sub as soon.. but the manager with full of experience cant even see dat n keep playing dat player for 80-90mnt.. end of the day.. we fail to get the 3points.. as a fan it hurts
KHMMURU07
0
Zero to which hero 🥱 Relax they haven’t won the league
Unlike you 🤣They are off to
nubball
0
You supposed to know better man! Don't you see that it's all the effect of Casemiro?
wow just 1 player is making so impact man utd became on of the best team in world to shambles 😭😭 excuses
bubakrtu
0
Anytime we start Mctominay in midfield we will lose Fred/sabitzer will work it work against arsenal an we put up a great fight even doh we lost sell Mctominay as soon as possible all he does is jog around an leave gaps open always ball watching
mctominnay is not a cm he is more of a striker Fred is not a holding midfielder but a fantastic marker and Anthony is over excited on the ball the match was supposed to be almost a draw at worst one thing remains Man United still won a trophy 2more to go
MwenePuta
1
You supposed to know better man! Don't you see that it's all the effect of Casemiro?