Rio Ferdinand highlights key component Manchester United lack compared to Liverpool and Man City

Rio Ferdinand has highlighted Manchester United's lack of leadership figures as a key reason the club continues to lag behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 1-1 draw with Southampton at the weekend posed familiar problems for the Reds as again an early lead slipped as the club settled for a draw, having been pegged back by Burnley and losing to Middlesbrough in recent weeks.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side enjoyed plenty of the ball and were well deserving of their point, leading to claims of United players 'not wanting to put a shift in'.

For Ferdinand, it is clear what Ralf Rangnick's side is lacking compared to the "best teams."

"I don't see anyone in the United team that's got that confidence or got that trait in them to grab hold of people," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.

"The best teams have those players.

"You look at Liverpool right now… Jordan Henderson, [James] Milner. Even when he's on the bench, at half-time he'll be in people's ears. [Andy] Robertson, Virgil van Dijk. They're four and I'm sure there are more players that will be doing that.

"You look at Manchester City… Ruben Dias is animated and gets onto people, [Raheem] Sterling will be talking to people, Kevin De Bruyne will be talking to people.

"You need men in there to get hold of people and put your ego, put your pride aside."

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.