Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has said that Ruben Amorim’s side do not have the quality to return to the top level.
In his first half-season in charge, Amorim was unable to guide United away from the bottom half, registering a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League, while they were also defeated 1-0 by Tottenham in the Europa League final.
This term has also started badly for the Portuguese, losing to both Arsenal and Man City in the opening four games to follow up a narrow victory against Burnley and a 2-2 draw with Fulham.
Scholes, who made 499 appearances for the club over two spells, also believes that his former side committed a “criminal offence” in the transfer window just gone, as they missed out on a certain player who was signed by their rivals.
"I don't think the quality is there," Scholes said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Whatever two out of the four or five they have got in [midfield] - Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo - whatever combination he seems to try doesn't seem to work.
"That's a big issue. I thought all summer the absolute priority was a central midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game.
"Goalkeeper was [also] a major issue. Did they really need to get to the Grimsby game to realise [Andre] Onana is not good enough?
"If Manchester United were not in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is a criminal offence.
"The recruitment side went to buy forwards. That did need addressing, but did it need three of them? I'm not sure it did."
In last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Man City, Donnarumma, making his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side after his move from Paris Saint-Germain, produced a superb performance, with a major highlight being his fingertip save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.
Over the summer, United invested heavily into four signings, landing Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens.
They underwent a fire-sale of unwanted players, with the ‘bomb-squad’ alienated by Amorim almost departed, as Jadon Sancho joined Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford moved to Barcelona, Antony made his move to Real Betis permanent, and Alejandro Garnacho was sold to Chelsea for £40million.
Tyrell Malacia, the left-back, was the only one not to find himself a new club.
Andre Onana was a late departure, moving on loan to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor having not started in the league all term. Altay Bayindir was between the sticks at the Etihad Stadium, with Lammens on the bench.
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system has come under serious scrutiny ever since he took over the reins from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, and that is particularly the case now, with United making their worst start to a league season in 23 years.
“He cannot carry on playing this way, he just can't," said Scholes.
"At some point there has to be a moment where he thinks, 'I have to change something because what I am doing now is not working and I am not getting results'. The proof is there.
"I like Amorim, with everything he says, he seems to be a likeable man. But unfortunately results paint a picture.
"At this moment in time it isn't good enough. At this moment in time if results don't improve, performances don't really matter that much. He has to win some games or the pressure is going to come on him massively."
Thanks to their Europa League defeat and their penalty embarrassment at Grimsby in the League Cup, United have just the Premier League and FA Cup to play for this season.
Up next, they take on Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Saturday tea-time kick-off, before a trip to Brentford the following weekend.
