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Paul Pogba: Jose Mourinho is dealing with ‘mini-wars in changing room' - Rio Ferdinand
MANCHESTER UNITED’s current woes on the pitch are down to a series of ‘mini-wars’ in the dressing room, according to club legend Rio Ferdinand.
The Red Devils have endured their worst start to a league season since the 1989-90 campaign, in which Sir Alex Ferguson was clinging on to his job.
Jose Mourinho’s men have lost four of their seven league games so far this campaign, the most recent of which saw them suffer a 3-1 defeat to West Ham.
United’s poor form has coincided with rumours of dissent amongst the ranks and an apparent falling out between Mourinho and Paul Pogba, though the former has denied being on poor terms with the France international.
From the outside looking in, it seems that there is some disharmony at Old Trafford, a notion Ferdinand agrees with.
"There seems to be mini-wars going on in the changing room, probably above that as well,” the former United defender told BT Sport.
"There’s mini wars-within the camp. That has to be ironed out, someone within that club has to come in and say get yourselves together and sort it out.”
Ferdinand believes Mourinho isn’t ruling with an iron fist, adding: "Back in the day Sir Alex Ferguson would have ironed it out. If players stepped out of line in his eyes, they’re gone.
“Whether they’re in they’re prime, they’re gone. David Beckham, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Something’s got to give here."
There seems to be mini-wars going on in the changing room
The former England defender’s sentiment was echoed by his old team-mate Paul Scholes, who said: "This club seems to be in a bit of a mess.
"Whether it’s from above Mourinho, we know he didn’t get the money he wanted in the summer.
"He’s been given a lot of money already to spend on players, Lindelof and Bailly especially. It’s early days for people like Fred, you do have to give him time.
"It just seems like a war right through the club from Ed Woodward to Mourinho and then Mourinho to his players. The players just look unstable."
Yesterday’s defeat to West Ham was United’s second in the space of five days, their first coming at the hands of Championship side Derby County.
Mourinho's men will look to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they welcome Spanish giants Valencia to Old Trafford for their second Champions League game of the season.