Rio Ferdinand’s brutal ‘laughing stock’ Man Utd squad verdict after Brighton defeat

Rio Ferdinand has branded Manchester United’s squad as a ‘laughing stock’ following their 4-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

The former Red Devils defender believes the club’s players show no respect toward interim manager Ralf Rangnick and don’t ‘play for the shirt’.

Speaking on FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said:"There is no desire, there is no character, there is no intensity with what they are doing. There is no understanding of what their gameplan is, either understanding of the gameplan or respect for what they have been told to carry out.

"They are not willing to work for this manager. They are not willing to go out there and play for this shirt.

"They are in disarray and the whole place is in disarray. It has become a laughing stock at the place and that is the single most disheartening thing. We are football people and we love the game.”

The former Red Devils defender mentioned how the situation at Old Trafford is so bad that fans of rival clubs have stopped ‘throwing any banter’ at United supporters.

“We have a laugh and that,” he continued.

“[When] I am on my way to Manchester and I’m [in] the car and the man who is driving with me doesn’t even have a laugh about Man United or throw any banter my way. That tells me people are beyond laughing at us. That is where this situation is at and it is an absolute nightmare.

"It needs sorting out and I don’t know if the right things are in place to sort it out yet. This isn’t a quick fix."

The defeat to Brighton leaves Rangnick’s side sixth in the table with one game remaining, meaning the club will finish with their lowest points in a Premier League season, even if they beat Crystal Palace on the final day.

United can no longer finish in a Champions League spot and will be hoping West Ham drop points in their remaining two fixtures in order to secure sixth-place and Europa League football next season.

The Red Devils face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their final fixture of the campaign on May 22, kick-off is at 4pm.