After yet another crushing defeat—this time a 4-1 loss to Newcastle—Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts.
In fact, he got brutally honest about what he sees as the core issue: some players just aren’t cut out for the pressure that comes with wearing the iconic red shirt.
It’s been a season full of frustrations, but Sunday’s loss at St. James’ Park might’ve been the most damning yet.
Not only did it confirm the team’s worst-ever Premier League finish regardless of upcoming results, but it also cemented an uncomfortable truth—United just isn’t what it used to be.
“Some Players Can’t Handle the Pressure,” Says Ferdinand
Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, Ferdinand voiced what many fans have been thinking: the weight of playing for Manchester United has become more of a burden than a badge of honor for some in the current squad.
“You find out a lot about players when the pressure is on,” he said.
“And at Manchester United, the pressure is like nowhere else in the Premier League.”
He pointed out that instead of being driven by the club’s historic success, some players seem overwhelmed by it.
He added that the difference between today’s environment and the winning culture he walked into back in 2002 under Sir Alex Ferguson is night and day. “I feel sorry for them,” he admitted.
“I came into a club where winning was the only standard.”
Ferdinand Recalls How Wearing the Badge Used to Mean More
Ferdinand shared a recent moment that highlighted just how massive the club still is—at least in name. “I bumped into Mason Mount’s dad,” he recalled. “I told him, ‘It’s a big club, isn’t it?’ And he just gave me this look, like ‘Wow.’”
But that reputation comes with responsibility. “It’s hard to describe how heavy that shirt can feel,” Ferdinand said.
“And that’s not an excuse—it’s reality. It’s a different beast playing for Manchester United.”
The Goals Just Aren’t Coming—and That’s a Problem
Another painful stat came up during the discussion: strikers Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed just three Premier League goals between them in 59 appearances.
For Ferdinand, that’s simply not acceptable.
“If that were me, I wouldn’t be able to show my face,” he said.
“Even just drawing a game used to embarrass me. I’d be working myself to the ground.
And I know these players are working hard too—but right now, it’s not enough.”
Roy Keane Joins the Criticism: “They’re Mentally Weak”
Ferdinand wasn’t the only club legend calling out the squad.
Roy Keane also chimed in after Sunday’s defeat, labeling the players as “physically and mentally weak.”
It’s not the first time Keane has criticized United this season, but coming after such a demoralizing loss, his words hit differently.
With 14 Premier League defeats already under their belt, this season has turned into one of the darkest in the club’s modern history.
Amorim Isn’t Fazed by the Critics—His Eyes Are on Thursday
Manager Ruben Amorim, however, seemed unfazed in the post-match press conference.
“I understand the criticism. I don’t care,” he said bluntly. “Nothing hurts more than losing games.
People can say what they want—our position in the table says it all.”
But while fans and legends are focused on the broader problems, Amorim has his sights set on one thing: winning on Thursday and keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
After blowing a 2-1 lead against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, everything rides on the return game at Old Trafford.
All Eyes on Thursday—Can United Bounce Back?
United still have something to play for, but they’ll need a major shift in mentality if they want to salvage anything from this season.
As Amorim said, “We’ve had a season of difficult losses.
But we’re used to getting up—we have to do that again on Thursday.
It’s a different game, in front of our fans.”
Whether the players can rise to the occasion remains to be seen—but with the club’s legends calling them out, the pressure just got even heavier.