Rio Ferdinand has claimed agents of Manchester United's stars are phoning him to ask that he cools his criticism of their clients.
The former Red Devils defender has long been outspoken about his opinions and has had few good words to say about the state of affairs at Old Trafford recently.
United were mauled 4-1 by neighbours Manchester City at the weekend and have faced notable criticism.
Accusations of them "giving up" have come their way following the poor showing at the Etihad.
Ferdinand's former teammate Gary Neville said on commentary: "Manchester United's response to going 3-1 down has been embarrassing. I have never seen anything like that in any game of football".
Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane were absent but the performances of the likes of Victor Lindelof, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have been widely condemned.
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Their agents have been dealing with the fallout and, according to Ferdinand, he's been asked to temper his words.
He said on the Vibe with Five podcast : "I really, really hope these players are walking in the next day and are going, 'I’m embarrassed, my pride and ego has taken a battering and I’m really embarrassed about it, I’ve got to make this right, you get me on that training field and give me every task you want to get this right'.
"I hope that’s the attitude, I hope that’s what’s in there, I don’t know if it is.
"I bet there’s a lot of finger pointing. I bet you any money there’s a lot of, 'he’s done this, he’s ain’t this, he ain’t that'.
"The amount of phone calls I get from agents, 'oh, can you not say this, why are you criticising so and so', do me a favour.
"If I was being vindictive and personal and saying bad things personally about these people I’d get it, I’d take the call and say sorry.
"But I ain’t saying sorry for stating facts. I ain’t saying sorry for tactically looking at the way people are playing and highlighting situations where you think you could do better there."
He also added: "When I’m highlighting the positives no one’s calling then, no one’s going, 'thanks for that, you’ve done us a favour'.
"You don’t get that so don’t call me when I’m talking negatively about your player, I’m talking from a tactical standpoint."
Ferdinand slammed the entire team for showing no fight with the exception of goalkeeper David de Gea following the derby day defeat.
It leaves United struggling to make the top four as Arsenal remain in pole position to claim the final Champions League spot.
Many of the current squad at Old Trafford may face uncertain futures beyond this season once a new manager is appointed and wants to put his own mark on things.
