Rio Ferdinand has agreed with Scott McTominay about the importance of Manchester United securing a top-four finish in their attempts to qualify for next season's Champions League.
United, ahead of Tuesday evening's trip to Burnley, occupied the final Champions League berth following their dramatic 1-0 win over West Ham United prior to the recent winter break.
Although the win over the Hammers, for now, has put United in the driving seat to secure the final top-four spot, their hopes of ending their five-year wait for a trophy suffered a major setback on Friday following their FA Cup exit at the hands of Middlesbrough.
United, of course, still have a chance of winning the Champions League this season, but the chances of that happening seem somewhat slim considering how they have stuttered this season, although nothing can be ruled out in football.
With United's trophy drought in serious danger of continuing, McTominay has addressed the club's ongoing pursuit of silverware, insisting just a top-four finish is not good enough for a club of the Reds' stature.
"No [top-four isn't good enough without trophies] for me, no," McTominay told BT Sport.
"That's the situation we find ourselves in, it's been a difficult situation this year and you have to take the rough with the smooth sometimes and get on with it and keep pushing every single game.
"To answer your question, no definitely not. It's true, the lads always speak about it, we've got to keep going to change that."
Reacting to McTominay's interview ahead of kick-off at Turf Moor, Ferdinand agreed with the Scotland international's overall assessment, insisting United need to get to the end of this season, wrap up a top-four finish and kick-on next season ahead of renewing their pursuit of silverware.
"Even Liverpool, those players at that club would've felt pressure from [the likes of] Graeme Souness, people that were there before them." Ferdinand said.
"Unfortunately, you're judged against history. These guys will be the same, Manchester United of years gone by, what you've got to have is a plan, build a structure, a philosophy and go forthwith it.
"The problem with Man United, they haven't had that identity that every player has bought into and we've seen the turnover of managers, huge turnovers of players.
"What they need now is unity, see the five months of the season out and get that fourth-place. Forget winning a trophy, they need to get into the Champions League."
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