Former Manchester City star Trevor Sinclair thinks that the current Manchester United crop must stop being compared to teams of old, arguing they are just not of the same quality, while insisting that the players are now playing for their futures.
Louis van Gaal's Manchester United slipped to a 2-1 defeat away at Sunderland on Saturday to deal their hopes of finishing in the Premier League's top four a big blow.
The Dutchman has now admitted making the top four will be tough and with just 12 league games left for the Red Devils to play, time is running out.
For Sinclair, the current Manchester United players are now playing for their future over the remainder of the season.
But he waved away comparisons with Manchester United teams of old, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, that regularly picked up trophies, arguing the current crop are not near that level.
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"They [the players] have got 12 games to prove themselves now and prove they are good enough for Manchester United", he said on the BBC's Final Score programme.
"That era [of Ferguson] has gone and you've got to stop comparing the Manchester United of today to the Manchester United of yesteryear.
"It is a different kettle of fish. They are not the same quality", Sinclair added.
Manchester United are next in action away at Danish side FC Midtylland on Thursday night as they kick off their Europa League push.
