'No longer about...' Ex-Man Utd star slams current squad as pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag

Pressure continues to mount on Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag - and ex forward Nani has delivered a scathing attack on the players.

The Red Devils suffered another big home defeat on Wednesday night, losing 3-0 to Newcastle United, exiting the Carabao Cup.

The 3-0 battering means United have lost eight of the opening 15 matches in all competitions this season - the worst start since 1972/73 - and have now been beaten in five of the first 10 home matches of a campaign for the first time since 1930.

And former players have been having their say. Nani has slammed the lack of 'spirit, of sacrifice, no fighting spirit' but did reserve praise for skipper Bruno Fernandes.

Nani, speaking to Portuguese podcast '1 PARA 1', said: "When we used to play at Manchester United, one of the things that defined the club was that you could be losing 3-0 with 15 minutes, 10 minutes left in a game, and that's when you saw what mental strength means.

"It's no longer about talent, it's about pushing the ball into the goal. We did that, we did what was necessary.

"Now, when you watch Manchester play, you see a lot of talent, maybe more talent than in our time in terms of technique, and they're all technically gifted. But when you watch the game, there's no spirit of sacrifice, no fighting spirit... A real player, a star, at Manchester, has to unlock the game; if they don't, it won't work."

He added: "Manchester already has great players. We have Bruno Fernandes. If Bruno Fernandes wasn't playing well, I'd criticise him too, but for example, the sacrifice and effort he puts into the game, he does it. We see it. He works hard, gives his all, and contributes. It's just that many others don't keep up with it."