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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith & Stephen Killen

Rio Ferdinand questions Manchester United players' fighting spirit after Burnley draw

Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has questioned where Manchester United's fighting spirit was following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday evening.

United, who have dropped out of the top four as a result of failing to record a third successive Premier League victory, took the lead with less than 20 minutes on the clock through Paul Pogba's excellent finish.

However, United, who had two goals ruled out in the first half either side of Pogba's first goal in more than 12 months, were pegged back just two minutes into the second half when Jay Rodriguez pounced on some slack defending to claim the 100th league goal of his career.

United huffed and puffed in their efforts to get their noses back in front, going close through both Raphael Varane and substitute Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was to no avail, meaning they were forced to settle for a point against the league's bottom club.

Having shown signs of encouragement in the first half, creating a host of opportunities, the second half was hugely uninspiring, prompting Ferdinand to question United's fighting spirit.

Ferdinand told BT Sport : "That's the disappointing thing. That wasn't good enough from Man United, in terms of getting the result, getting into the top four and showing progression under this regime under Ralf Rangnick.

"So it's disappointing on that front, it wasn't the performance you want to see; a wholesome performance over 90 minutes.

"It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance; the first half was really good, leaving you wanting more.

"In the second half, you're thinking 'where’s the energy? Urgency? Where's that fight and that grit?'

"You come to grounds like this and you have to weather storms. Manchester United don't seem to be able do that."

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