Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Manchester United's players have 'downed tools' following their Carabao Cup triumph over Newcastle United at Wembley at the end of February.
The Reds, who host Brentford in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, ended their six-year wait for a trophy by beating the Magpies 2-0, thanks to first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford. It was a victory that capped an excellent week for the club, following their triumph over Barcelona in the Europa League just three days earlier.
Since that triumph at Wembley, however, United have stuttered in the Premier League, taking just one point from their last three games, failing to score a single goal in the process. Their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday saw them drop down to fourth before Tottenham Hotspur's 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday night saw them slide to fifth, albeit on goal difference.
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Although they are locked on level points with both Newcastle and Spurs, meaning they are still very much in the top-four race, United's recent form, not least their performances, is generating justified concern.
"It seems like they've won the Carabao Cup and downed tools," said Ferdinand, speaking on the Vibe with Five podcast. "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?"
Following Sunday's defeat on Tyneside, Luke Shaw, who has put pen to paper on a new four-year contract at Old Trafford, admitted that a discussion was held among the players within the changing room about the manner of their performance. Ferdinand believes now is the time for the players to fight for each other more than ever.
He added: "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.
"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."
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