Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic has called for former players-turned-pundits to be more supportive of the club, particularly when it comes to young players.

The likes of Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand are among the notable United alumni to have turned to punditry, and they have often been critical of the club during a lean spell in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

However, Matic believes that their words do more harm than good and urged them to "help the players" rather than criticise them.

"I think it's their job if they go on television, it's their job to say something. Sometimes they say the truth, probably, sometimes they criticise the younger players which isn't good, in my opinion," the Serbian international told Omnisport.

"Especially if you're an ex-player of Manchester United and you criticise the players and you know you've been there 10, 15, 20 years ago, it's not good.

"You have to help the players if you can. But they probably get money to work there and they have to say something."

Matic has made 22 appearances for United across all competitions this season, with his form earning him a one-year contract extension.