Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has come to the defence of current manager Louis van Gaal but also criticised the Dutchman's team for lacking attacking ambition.

Paul Scholes and Michael Owen were both critical of United after the 0-0 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Scholes repeating his claim that the team had become boring under the Dutchman.

But Ferdinand has admitted United were not always an exciting team under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferdinand said: "When I was a player my main aim was to win a trophy first and win it playing exciting football second, and that seems to be Van Gaal's too.

"It wasn't always exciting in my day at Old Trafford, either.

"Certainly during the final three seasons under Sir Alex it was more a case of us getting over the line than anything cavalier.

"However, there was certainly a lot more ambition and threat in our play than there is currently with United."

United face leaders Leicester on Saturday and a win would take them top of the Barclays Premier League table.

"I really can't predict what will happen in this game because I have no idea from one week to the next which United will turn up," said Ferdinand.

He was encouraged by the 2-1 win at Watford in United's last Premier League game but felt let down by the goalless draw against PSV.

Ferdinand added: "Every time I see signs of progress like with the display at Watford I'm immediately let down again. It is one step forward and two steps back."