Ferdinand: Lingard and Pogba should keep their heads down at Manchester United

Manchester United’s showmen need to keep themselves in check for the time being, according to former Red Devils defender Rio Ferdinand.

Ferdinand, 38, who made over 300 appearances for United in a trophy-laden 12-year stint at the club, believes the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard need to keep their heads down and focus on qualifying for the Champions League.

The pairing were videoed practising a new dancing celebration at United’s Carrington training ground, with French international Pogba then posting it on his Instagram.

And former England skipper Ferdinand is adamant that there is no room for that kind of behaviour with the club only sixth in the Premier League, revealing legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson would not have stood for it.

“I’m all for having a bit of fun on social media and stuff, but when you’re sixth in the league, not in the Champions League positions and fighting, then maybe not,” he said.

“You haven’t won anything yet. When you’re winning, that’s when you go out and do stuff like that.

“I’ve dug out Arsenal players for doing things like this before, so it would be wrong of me not to speak of the United players in the same way.

“I’m all for having fun, and part of Pogba’s appeal is that he’s a happy free-spirit, which I wouldn’t want to take away from him, but there’s a time for things like that and you have to get the balance right.

“If that comes out after you’ve just won a cup final or won the league or something like that, I would be pushing it out all over the place. I’d be the first one to be doing that.

“I’d just want to keep myself under the radar a little bit in the position they’re in. If Fergie’s there, no chance they’re doing that.”