Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has been told that he faces two problems at Manchester United as he also aims to re-shape a 'relegation standard' midfield.
Having stepped into the breach to replace sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - initially until the end of this season - the innovative German has come in for heavy criticism over the past seven days.
Beaten for the first time by Wolves, the 63-year-old has since revealed that United will seek in-house solutions in the engine room, while club sources hint that it remains 'unlikely' that key figures in the boardroom will sanction a marquee signing this month.
Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic are among those to have been chosen by Rangnick as two defensive-minded players in his trademark 4-2-2-2 formation.
Netherlands international Donny van de Beek represents another potential option there - but he has been seldom used ever since touching down in the Premier League from Ajax in 2020.
Addressing the challenges that lie ahead for Rangnick, former United defender Paul Parker identified two issues as he also went on to provide another damning verdict.
Speaking as part of a promotion for BetFred ahead of the win over Aston Villa, he said: "People have spoken about how they've seen [Ralf] Rangnick as a mentor, so you look to him for a structure and what can take them to the next step.
Do you agree with Parker? Have your say in the comments section below.
"However, the problem is how can you build when the players that you've got don't want to give enough or aren't good enough to step in? We saw that against Wolves.
"Manchester United have a relegation standard midfield at this moment in time. It's a poor midfield and everybody knows it. Manchester United have names, but they don't have what's more important than anything and that's that heart, passion and courage."
We've teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here .
