Rio Ferdinand insists Jose Mourinho has to win Premier League titles to justify his big spend at Manchester United.
Despite Europa League and League Cup wins, the Red Devils finished down in sixth spot last season - after splashing a then-world record £90m on Paul Pogba.
And Ferdinand has called on Mourinho to step up United’s domestic performances and compete for top honours.
A disappointing and humiliating defeat to Huddersfield Town last weekend had Mourinho questioning the desire of his players, and former United defender Ferdinand believes the Red Devils must win the top-flight due to their global stature and their enriched history.
"The history suggests that you win titles and they’ve not done that for a number of years now," Ferdinand told the Daily Mail.
"The fans want that, the fans have been given Jose Mourinho that little bit of time, the club have as well.
"He's gone out and invested heavily, very well but now he's got to go and produce and I think the problem he's got, he's got a very talented and strong City team as well, who are performing - they look the form side at the moment.
"I believe it will be a battle of the two Manchester clubs."