Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has a message for his former club ahead of their clash with Arsenal this weekend.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men had the worst possible preparation for their clash with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening after they were stunned by bottom club Sheffield United.
Chris Wilder's Blades, who had only won one all season ahead of their visit to Old Trafford, beat their high-flying hosts thanks to Oliver Burke's deflected effort 16 minutes from time after Harry Maguire had cancelled out Kean Bryan's first-half goal.
The defeat is a huge blow for Man United in their title charge, leaving them one point behind rivals Manchester City despite having played a game more.
And as they look to get back on track against an in form Arsenal this weekend, former United defender turned BT Sport pundit Ferdinand has sent a message to his old club, telling they 'have to answer' this shock result.
“Man United have to answer the next day, if you’re gonna be a title-chasing team, these are the games where you’re gonna have to bring your A-Game every week," he said after the game on BT Sport.
"Bottom of the table, it doesn’t matter, last week, Liverpool - tremendous performance. Bottom of the league Sheffield United; dour, lifeless at times.
"The inconsistency doesn’t win you the league and that’s what we’ve said about Man United for many months, that the inconsistencies from individuals in this team is what is holding them back.
"We thought we’d seen the back of that and now it’s just rearing its head and that’s the unfortunate thing. But listen, it’s not the end of the world, they’re one point off Man City, yes, they have a game in-hand, but this is a reality check for these players."
While Ferdinand was critical of the result, he did urge his old club not to panic and to get up and 'go again.'
"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, let’s start taking things a little bit more seriously again and re-focus, it’s not the end of the world by any means, it’s not panic stations, let’s go again," he added.
“That comes with experience (leaders) and it could be a telling factor in the title run with someone like Man City that have got players that have won the league.
"They’ve got Pogba and Cavani who have won the league in foreign countries, but the Man City, Liverpool, the Leicester team, have got players that have won here in the Premier League and experience does count for a lot.”
