Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand questioned Manchester United's struggles to relentlessly press their opponents when out-of-possession ahead of Sunday night's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park.
United, despite making steady improvements under manager Erik ten Hag in recent weeks, remain far from the finished article under the Dutchman. Some of their performances continue to come under heavy fire, not least the one they produced in the 6-3 defeat to arch rivals Manchester City last weekend.
United sat off City for long spells and failed to get touch-tight to Pep Guardiola's plethora of stars. Ten Hag has attempted to install a desire to press into his players, something he demanded of his players while in charge of Ajax.
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However, United have proven that they are yet to fully adhere to Ten Hag's demands week-in, week-out, leaving Ferdinand slightly concerned.
"In pre-season he [Ten Hag] saw something," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "I heard a few of the coaches talking about how impressed they were with the front players, who have got great talents.
"But when you get into a season you see the minerals of players. Are they really about it when the going gets tough? Are these players capable of having intensity?
"I think these players have proven under other managers, and even this manager already seems to be questioning them, that they can't do it over long periods. They have shown they can do it fits and starts, but the top teams don't work on one week on, one week off; they are at it every single week.
"They are going to have to go a long way to prove it to this manager."
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