Former Manchester United hero Dimitar Berbatov has warned the Red Devils that they face “problems” and are taking a “backwards step” amid reports of unrest within the squad.
Some at Old Trafford are said to be unhappy with interim manager Ralf Rangnick’s training methods, despite the German having improved the team’s defensive record since he replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But performances have continued to be disappointing under Rangnick, with United suffering an upset at the hands of Championship Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Draws with Aston Villa and Burnley have also seen the Red Devils fall back in the race to finish in the top four, with Rangnick’s men now sitting sixth in the Premier League.
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And Berbatov is concerned by the latest reports of player unrest, insisting that Rangnick could be creating problems with his methods.
“I've read the latest reports that some of United players aren't apparently happy with how training is going,” he told Betfair.
“If there is some truth to the reports and the training is a bit old school then it's a problem because football is different now and you have to keep up with the times.
“I'm not saying completely step away from the old school way of training but you have to prepare for matches a bit differently now. Coaches have to adjust and adapt and get with the times.
“Rangnick hasn't managed a team of United's stature before, and I hope that if there is some unhappiness with training then things get sorted quickly.
“There are a lot of experienced players in the dressing room, like Ronaldo and Pogba, and if training isn't inspiring and players start to moan, I can see there being problems.”
Frustrations could grow if United fail to defeat Southampton on Saturday, with the Red Devils desperate for a win to keep pace with their rivals for a top four place.
And Berbatov warned his former side that they are risking their place in the Champions League with their inability to defeat teams lower down the table.
“If you don't win games against bottom of the table teams then success become a struggle. Manchester United's game against Burnley was a must win and they failed,” he added.
“It doesn't matter how, you just need to get the three points in these games. United didn't get the win last time out and that's not good.
“On paper, there's a big gap in class between their squad and Burnley’s but they have to show that on the pitch as well. They've taken a big step backwards in the top four race.
“If you don't win games against teams lower down the table then you will have issues, it's no good just turning up in matches against the leading quartet.
“If United don't get all three points in these kinds of matches from now on then I don't think they will qualify for the Champions League this season.”
The Red Devils host Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints on Saturday, sitting one point and two places behind fourth-placed West Ham.
