'On their knees' - Rio Ferdinand pinpoints major problem Manchester United players are having

Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United's experienced players are struggling for confidence and that makes it harder for fringe members to come in and impress.

Despite Bruno Fernandes' added-time goal giving them a vital three points at Fulham last weekend, United continue to disappoint after an awful start to the season. A number of Erik ten Hag's regular performers - the likes of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez - have been far from their best.

Their 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat against Newcastle provided a stark example of the issue, with both sides making multiple changes but only one looking like a team. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri are being relied upon to change games, rather than bed in and develop.

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“When you're on the crest of a wave and confidence is flowing through the football club, it's easier to put out a second string side because confidence is flowing," Ferdinand told FIVE. “Manchester United players - the most experienced, most effective players in this squad - are on their knees in terms of confidence.

“So if you bring in anybody, they're going to have to work really hard to get a good performance out of individuals coming into the team because looking around them, I’m looking for someone to pull me through a game. No one has been able to do it because they are not confident, regardless of ability.”

United have not been helped on that front by a number of injuries to experienced regulars. Ten Hag confirmed on Tuesday that he expects both Martinez and Casemiro to be out until after Christmas, while Raphael Varane has also suffered with