Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has echoed Paul Scholes' comments from earlier this season about a fundamental, deep-rooted issue within the Manchester United squad following Saturday's 1-1 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford.
United, for the third game in succession, failed to win from a winning position at half time, with Saints striker Che Adams bringing Ralph Hasenhuttl's side level just minutes after the restart, cancelling out Jadon Sancho's first half goal.
United, despite being dominant for long spells during the first half, failed to make their dominance count and repeated a similar second half showing to what they produced against Burnley at Turf Moor last Tuesday evening, where they invited more and more pressure.
United, of course, are in desperate need of changes being implemented this summer and the new manager will be tasked with trying to embed a recognisable style of play, whilst also picking up results as a matter of urgency.
However, Ferdinand has questioned United's players' discipline, insisting that is where they lag behind in comparison to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.
"In the first 20 to 30 minutes you go 'oh - I like this', there's fluidity, there's a continuity within the team, there's a togetherness but the problem is weathering the bad storms," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
"In every game you get a five minute spell or whatever it is, where the other team get hold of the game and you get penned back a little bit whether you like it or not.
"It's about having the balls to be able to get through that, the knowhow and I think a big part of that is discipline - I think that's where we lack compared to top teams."
Furthermore, the former United man also believes the squad is lacking from a united team spirt, admitting that it is individual errors that are continuing to cost his old club.
Ferdinand continued: "When those moments come you need a discipline within the team, to say 'we stick together', in them situations, they end up becoming individuals more than ever and thinking 'I can do this on my own, I've got to create a moment of craziness'.
"Individual mistakes or bad decision making on individual parts is what's killing the team right now.
"Whether it's missing a chance, final ball delivery or defending a situation. Individuals are making mistakes in them areas."
Ferdinand's admission mirrors what fellow former United star Scholes said about the Reds back in October, following their dismal 4-2 defeat to Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The former midfielder highlighted how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had assembled an excellent squad but was struggling to get a tune out of them, pointing to a lack of discipline.
"There was a couple of things really," Scholes told BT Sport. "I think a lack of aggression in the team, more importantly a lack of discipline.
"I think Ole has produced and assembled a really top class group of players.
"Now, what he has to do with that is make them work hard and I don’t think they do
"They just stroll about the pitch and wait for the ball, especially the forward players.
"Central-midfield players, not contributing. Paul Pogba… lack of discipline and lack of aggression right throughout the team."
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