Michael Owen has warned Manchester United their problems will not be solved by splashing the cash on transfer deadline day - and suggested they could learn from Liverpool.
United were left reeling by Sunday's 6-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Reinforcements are on the way, though, with striker Edinson Cavani and left-back Alex Telles set to sign on Monday, along with teenage prospect Facundo Pellistri.
But former Liverpool and United striker Owen does not expect more new signings to automatically solve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's current issues.
"If I was the chairman or the owner, I would be nervous spending another £100m or another £200m," Owen told Premier League Productions.
"How many times are Man United going to do that? 'Oh, there’s a problem, let’s throw millions at it! Let’s throw more millions at it!'
"And I know fans are desperate for big-money signings because it gets everyone excited but, unless you get the basics right, unless you’ve got a plan, unless you’ve got a system, unless you’re getting the best out of the current players, how can you them be trusted to spend another £200m?
"It beggars belief and that’s the first thing they’ve got to get right: get the best out of the current players before you start looking into someone else’s garden."
Owen also urged United boss Solskjaer to take inspiration from rival bosses Jurgen Klopp at champions Liverpool - despite their 7-2 drubbing at Aston Villa on Sunday - as well as Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United.
"Look at Jurgen Klopp, look at Marcelo Bielsa, there’s so many examples of managers demanding it," he added.
"This is something that you can’t just say: 'Come on lads, today we’re gonna switch on'. This happens in training.
"I’d hate to admit this because obviously Manchester United fans are watching this but, at Liverpool, what you see on a Saturday is absolutely what you see on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
"When somebody loses the ball in training it’s an automatic thing."
