Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has declared that the current squad at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's disposal is the worst side in decades, as the club's disappointing run of form continued.
United were unable to make it two wins from two in the Europa League after being held to a goalless draw by AZ Alkmaar, a match where the Red Devils failed to register a single shot on target.
That result ensured United's winless streak away from home in all competitions extended to 10 matches, their worst such form since 1989, while they have also won just five of their last 22 games.
While the result was certainly disappointing, it appeared that it did not come as a surprise to former England forward Owen as he issued a damning verdict ahead of the match.
Working as a pundit for BT Sports, Owen was asked by presenter Jake Humphrey if United are now only a mid-table Premier League side, to which he replied:
“Yeah, I’d say they are that bad. I don’t think they will be top-six this season personally.
“Just the fact that we are even having this conversation is the worry. It’s got to be the worst Manchester United team for decades.
“It’s been happening for a few years, for five, six, seven years you’re probably thinking it can’t get any worse but it has.
“The point I’d like to make is that in many ways Solskjaer has knowingly weakened his team, getting rid of people like Lukaku, Sanchez, Smalling.
“He knows that he can improve his team with those players but he’s taken the view that you’ve got to take a couple of steps backwards to then go forward.”
