Rio Ferdinand hit out at an unrecognisable Manchester United performance in their defeat at Brentford, saying the team might as well bring in Sam Allardyce or Tony Pulis based on the way they were playing.
The former England defender spent more than a decade with United, helping them win several Premier League titles. However, after a 4-0 loss at the Brentford Community Stadium, Erik ten Hag's side have gone bottom of the Premier League table after two matches.
Josh Dasilva benefited from a David de Gea error to open the scoring, with Mathias Jensen doubling the lead when United's efforts to play out from the back fell flat. Former Manchester City defender Ben Mee made it three, with Bryan Mbeumo completing the rout before half-time, and Ferdinand was damning in his criticism.
"We have become an absolute laughing stock," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five YouTube channel. "I can't even banter Arsenal fans no more.
"You watch the game today and you think the players aren't worth nearly the amount of money they've spent on them. They're nowhere near worth what they're probably paying them - there's zero confidence in the building.
£55m centre-back Lisandro Martinez was withdrawn at half-time, with Fred and Luke Shaw also withdrawn as a trio worth more than Brentford's entire first team made way. Ten Hag admitted his team let down the fans, but Ferdinand's reaction pointed to something much deeper.
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"You see after the first goal where he plays out, De Gea. The next time, he saw numbers on the backs of shirts, they'd run up the pitch, he just kicked it long," Ferdinand continued.
"We might as well bring in some other managers like Big Sam [Allardyce] or [Tony] Pulis if we're going to be like that. You just look at it and it's... this is not the Manchester United that I once knew.
"Even if it's a bit of a fall from grace, this far? It's beyond digging out individual players, even."
The defeat made it four league losses on the spin, dating back to the end of last season. United have kept just one clean sheet since the start of March - the home game against Brentford last term - and Ten Hag made his frustrations clear after watching his team ripped to shreds.
"It’s difficult for me and a surprise," the manager said. "The team has to take the responsibility and I feel sorry for the fans, we let them down. I asked them to play with belief and take responsibility, that is what they didn't do."
"Only when we stick together we will overcome it. Don't get me wrong, the manager is the main responsibility and I take that but I have to give them belief and they have to get it by themselves."
