Robin van Persie has criticised former club Manchester United for losing their identity after Sir Alex Ferguson retired and gambling on big name signings which haven't fitted their philosophy.
The former United striker controversially moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal in 2012, but justified the switch by playing a crucial role in their Premier League title success that season.
United have failed to win the league since, with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho all attempting to emulate Ferguson's 2012/13 side.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hired permanently last season following a successful caretaker spell, but Van Persie believes his old club have been hampered by their transfer policy in recent years - and will struggle to catch Liverpool in years to come if they continue on the same path.
The ex-Netherlands international believes United have "gambled" on signing the likes of Paul Pogba from Juventus and more recently, Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, while Jurgen Klopp has patiently built a successful "sporting project" at Liverpool which has seen them lift the Champions League and remain on course to win the title this season.
Van Persie told SoFoot: "If you compare it to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp was appointed and players were selected who fit in with the football philosophy, not from marketing motives.
"They built the club on a coach’s sporting project. At Manchester United they gamble on star names like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez.
"That’s one way. It is risky. If such a player gets injured or does not fit, the whole team is vulnerable.
"While having a philosophy like Liverpool and not Manchester United creates enormous collective power.
"The challenge for Manchester United is to see if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can successfully establish a philosophy of his own."
