Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand does not believe the recent dressing room leaks at Old Trafford have come "directly" from the players.
The squad is reportedly unhappy with interim manager Ralf Rangnick's coaching methods and have disrespectfully described his assistant Chris Armas as "Ted Lasso".
Speaking on Sunday, fellow United icon Gary Neville suggested he knew the identity of the players leaking information from within the club.
"What they do not realise is that unfortunately, when they go to the media then those media people go to us - so we know who is briefing," said Neville.
"The reality is that we do not like it, but we know who it is. We are not going to throw people under a bus here because we have that journalistic respect."
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When asked about the issue on his FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: "Gary must have some people in the media that are telling him that it’s some of the [United] lads.
"It might not be directly from the players. I would be very surprised if it’s the players. I’d be very surprised.
"It will be a player who has spoken to their agent or a family member who has a good relationship with someone in the media and it’s them who’s spilling the beans.
"But the players have got to be intelligent enough to know there’s some things that just don’t get said.
"Down the years, stuff happens and your family are asking questions but you just drift by it.
"Sometimes a team [line-up] would come out [in the media] and you’d realise a player has told their agent who has told the media to keep them sweet.
"The manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] used to go nuts and say, 'How's this come out? If I find out who this was, watch.'
"The players need to come together and have a meeting and say, 'This can’t keep happening.' Just keep some stuff private man."
United managed to put their off-field problems behind them on Tuesday evening, as they defeated high-flying Brighton 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Goals from Portuguese pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were enough to help Rangnick's side return to fourth in the Premier League table.
Ronaldo was delighted to claim the three points, tweeting: "Back on track!
"Nobody gives up and there's only one way to get back on track: hard work, team work, seriously work. Everything else is just noise. Let's go Devils."
Although the rumours may be just "noise", United have a long way to go before they can silence their doubters.
The Red Devils are just four points clear of sixth-place Arsenal, who have three games in hand on their Manchester rivals.
West Ham in fifth, Wolves in seventh and Tottenham in eighth also remain in the hunt.
Speaking on Monday, Rangnick said: "Right now, this is exactly what Manchester United needs and wants: to finish fourth in the league.
"I think this is the highest possible achievement we can get... in the league, it's number four, that's our ambition, what we have to achieve and what we're aiming at."
