MANCHESTER UNITED stars have “downed tools” since winning the Carabao Cup and need to start “strangling” each other, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand.
The Red Devils returned from the international break with a limp defeat against top four rivals Newcastle on Sunday.
It has left United out of the Champions League places with just 11 games remaining despite a strong start to 2023.
Erik ten Hag’s men lost just one of 15 games before their trip to Wembley to beat Newcastle in the League Cup Final at the end of February.
Since then, the club’s shaky form has seen them slaughtered at Anfield, draw against struggling Southampton and labour to cup wins over West Ham and Fulham.
Former United defender Ferdinand, who won 14 trophies during his long stay at Old Trafford, has had enough.
He said on his Five Youtube channel: “It seems like they’ve won the Carabao Cup and downed tools.
“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?
“Luke Shaw mentioned they had a meeting after the game. They need to be strangling each other, there needs to be some pushing and shoving, up in people’s faces. So people understand this is the serious business end of the season.
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“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. I hope it won’t rear its head again.”
Unlike their rivals for top four, United remain in other competitions and face having their resources stretched as the season reaches its conclusion.
A two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla awaits ten Hag’s side as they prepare to face Spanish opposition for the fourth time in Europe this season.
While they can also look forward to another Wembley trip this month as they face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final.
