Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has admitted that he understands the criticism aimed at the club's playing style under manager Jose Mourinho.

United finished second in the Premier League table this season, but they were 19 points adrift of champions Manchester City and were beaten in the FA Cup final by Chelsea earlier this afternoon to ensure a trophiless second season for Mourinho.

The team's perceived negative style of football has also been criticised by pundits and fans alike, and Sheringham acknowledged that it is not the same United that enjoyed so much success under Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Once you play for United, once you've been around the scene for a year or a couple of years you know what is expected of you playing for Manchester United – especially when you play for Sir Alex," Sheringham told talkSPORT.

"He had a way of making you feel you had to perform at your top capabilities every game, because everyone expects that. And that means going forward, exciting the fans, taking the game to the opposition and that was what he just demanded.

"You look at the game at the moment and it's very different for Manchester United and I can understand why the Manchester United fans, die-hard ones who have been watching for 20, 30, 40 years are just looking at going, 'This isn't Manchester United'."

United's finish this season is their best since the retirement of Ferguson.