Former Newcastle United and England striker Alan Shearer believes Manchester United's work rate out of possession will be a fundamental reason why they will struggle this season.
Shearer made the admission after watching United fall to a fourth defeat in their last six Premier League matches at the hands of arch rivals Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime.
An early own-goal from Eric Bailly, who turned Joao Cancelo's cross into his own net, and a close-range finish from Bernardo Silva fired City into a two-goal lead before half time at Old Trafford.
In truth, it was another poor showing from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, who gift-wrapped City both of their goals with some terrible defensive work.
Both goals came from Cancelo crosses and could have been stopped, with Bruno Fernandes and Aaron Wan-Bissaka culpable.
United's work rate, pressing game and defensive standards having all been questioned in recent weeks and Shearer has outlined why their lack of work out of possession will result in them being unsuccessful.
Shearer told BBC Sport : "If City's players don't work hard, they get left out. If Chelsea's players don't work hard, they get left out. If Liverpool's players don't work hard, they get left out. Watch the difference between Man City's work rate today and Man United's work rate.
"When they [City] lose the ball, they go after it. They go as a team, not in ones and twos. They work their socks off to get that ball back and it's why they are very, very good team. They are all on the same page.
"When they get the ball, the players can then go and strut their stuff. They all go together and they are very, very good at it. It is something that the good players and the good teams have to do - and that is why Man City are successful and have a chance of being successful this season.
"Now, this is Man United. Watch Bruno Fernandes. That should be a sprint [to stop Cancelo's cross]. Jog, jog, jog. No. Sprint and close it down. That ball should not be allowed to come into the 18-yard box.
"It's exactly the same again. Stop that ball coming in at all costs.
"It is exactly the same thing again, only this time it is Wan-Bissaka. Get out. Sprint. You cannot afford to jog. It has to be stopped.
"Alright, it is terrible defending from Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, but stop it at source. That is why Man United will not be a successful team this season."
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
