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RIO FERDINAND fumed at Manchester United for their defending that led to Sheffield United's winning goal.

United were dealt a major blow in their pursuit for the Premier League title, losing 2-1 at home to relegation-battling Blades.

Rio Ferdinand fumed at Manchester United for the defending that led to Sheffield United's winning goal
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Rio Ferdinand fumed at Manchester United for the defending that led to Sheffield United's winning goalCredit: BT Sport
Rio Ferdinand questioned Nemanja Matic
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Rio Ferdinand questioned Nemanja Matic Credit: BT Sport
Alex Telles was also singled out during the sequence
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Alex Telles was also singled out during the sequence Credit: BT Sport

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Oliver Burke scored the winner 15 minutes from time - with the help of some lackadaisical defending.

And Old Trafford legend Ferdinand was on hand in the BT Sport studio to break down the phase of play that lost his former side the game.

The six-time title winner said: "I don't see that intensity here, and it's not just about Martial, it's not just about him - I could pick a couple out here and I will.

"David de Gea should clear his lines, get it out the stadium. But it's here, please, I'm begging you, get out, show me a reaction.

"Get out and affect the ball. Hands behind the back - which I hate as well - walking.

"Plays the ball to a man, unmarked in the penalty box, scuffs it, ricochet, even again here watch the reaction of the players.

"Martial, please sprint to him, please go out there and affect the man on the ball. He doesn't.

"Please Mr Matic, please get out to the ball and affect people. This is like two, three, four passes on the bounce."

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Ferdinand and Peter Crouch then questioned United's 'desire' as they failed to show an urgency in closing down the Blades' attacking threat.

Telles was singled out for reacting slowly to Burke, whose deflected effort snatched the three unlikely points.

Ferdinand said: "Watch the reaction of Telles to get to this ball - stutter, stutter, jog, what are you doing?

"There's got to be a desire, a switch that says, 'We need to get the ball back to go up the end of the pitch to try and take this game by the scruff of the neck and win it'.

"In that sequence of play right there, there's not one ounce of urgency.

"Which I cannot understand when you've got yourself into a position like this showing urgency, showing desire above all the quality that you've got in this squad."

Manchester United could have gone top of the table with victory
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Manchester United could have gone top of the table with victoryCredit: EPA
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