Paul Scholes admits Ole Gunnar Solskjaer "cannot get the balance right" between Manchester United's attack and defence.
The Red Devils held cross-town rivals Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
To blunt City's attack, Solskjaer included two defensive midfielders in his starting XI in Scott McTominay and Fred.
While the system limited Pep Guardiola's side to two shots on target, United also struggled to create chances and seemed to be missing an extra body in attack.
Scholes was pleased with the improved defensive performance but warned Solskjaer his side "don't look like they're going to score goals" in his post-match verdict.
"You go right back to that Tottenham game where they had a massive shock conceding six goals they had to change the way they were playing," Scholes said.
"They had to play the two holding midfielders to protect the centre halves because they were giving chances away all the time.
"I thought Sterling was poor tonight, I thought [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka did well against him.
"Defensively, Wan-Bissaka throws himself into challenges, [Victor] Lindelof was as good as he probably has been and [Harry] Maguire was good.
"They had that protection, but it takes away from the attacking side then because you can’t really think of any chances United created.
"It’s compromising everything, they cannot get the balance right in the team. If they play one holding midfielder they look like they’re going to score goals but look like they’ll concede as well.
"They look much more solid with the two holding midfield players but then they don’t look like they’re going to score goals."
United return to action with a trip to Premier League stragglers Sheffield United on Thursday, while City host West Brom at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Which formation should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer use to balance attacking potency and defensive solidity? Have your say here.
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