Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has accepted Paul Scholes' claim that Man Utd are still some way off a title challenge.
The former United midfielder played down his old teams chances of domestic glory, stating they were at least two seasons away from even getting close.
Scholes said to Premier League Productions: "I think you almost have to write United off for the next two years, this team, until Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has cleared everything he wants out, has four or five transfer windows.
"United are going to be behind Manchester City , Liverpool , Chelsea and Tottenham .
"I think this is United at the minute, you have to be patient with the young players, but the experienced players have to step up."
After collecting just five points from a possible 12 in their opening Premier League fixtures, United already find themselves off the pace of league leaders Liverpool.
They missed out on Champions League qualification last season after a dismal run ended with a sixth-placed finish.
And Solskjaer accepted that Scholes' comments may bear some truth.
"Paul knows what it is to be a Man United player," Solskjaer said. "Looking at the difference between us and City and Liverpool last year you don't expect us to challenge straight away.
"But, he can see things are going in the right direction and we feel we're on the right track."
Solskjaer faces a potential selection headache this coming weekend, with eight of his first-team stars currently sidelined for the clash with Leicester .
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard are set for late fitness tests after withdrawing from international duty, while Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial have been ruled out.
They join Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on the injury list, with Solskjaer admitting the club are facing a mini crisis.
"The treatment room's been busy and still is, so we don't really know who's going to be available," Solskjaer said.
"There's maybe Aaron, maybe Jesse, and I think maybe that's it from the ones that pulled out of international duty, but I can't promise those two will be available either."
