Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has slammed the lack of communication coming from Manchester United's defenders following Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
United, who face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, conceded four or more goals for the fourth time this season, with goals from Kevin De Bruyne (2) and Riyad Mahrez (2) sealing an emphatic victory for the hosts. The defeat was the latest horror show in what is proving to be a forgettable season for United, who are now a point behind Arsenal in the race for a top-four finish.
Although City's goals were all well-crafted in their own right, United will have been disappointed with the defending for the first three at the very least, especially the second, where it stemmed from a weak clearance by Anthony Elanga. The Reds have been woeful defensively at times this term, highlighted by the fact that they have conceded more goals than anyone else currently inside the top eight.
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With that in mind, it is clear that their defensive frailties need improving, and fast. For Ferdinand, it is the lack of talking across the back-line that is the biggest concern.
He told Vibe with Five : "I look at that defence and I don't see anyone talking; they are whispering to each other, if that. One of the biggest things that you have to do as a defender is talk.
"If you watch [Virgil] Van Dijk, [Ruben] Dias and [Antonio] Rudiger, they are non-stop talking and are animated, almost pulling people about. With United, I look at the defence and I sit there and go, 'is anyone going to chat? 'Is anyone even going to go, 'wake up'.
"All that you're doing when you're talking is making sure that he stays alive, he stays concentrated and he stays focused. I don't see it.
"I see more reaction out of them and more animation when the ball is in the back of the net [conceded]. They need to manage the game and manage the players."
United have been guilty of being far too weak defensively this season and lacking a clear identity. In Ferdinand's eyes, the players are playing as though they are focusing solely on their own game, opposed to working as a collective unit in a fluent and consistent rhythm.
"Are these conversations happening, because I don't see that unit and cohesiveness with this team that the centre-backs engage with the two holding midfielders," Ferdinand added. "I don't see that centre-backs are engaged with the attacking-midfielders, the wide men or the full-backs.
"It is like they are all playing their own game. That is how it feels."
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