Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has advised Michael Carrick to make changes to his midfield following the Red Devils' 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on in the Premier League.
Neville criticised the partnership between Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo as United registered their worst start to a league season in 40 years on Saturday.
Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock for the hosts at Old Trafford in the 73rd minute but Dominic Solanke's stoppage-time header salvaged a point for 10-man Spurs.
The result put Manchester United's tally at six points after six Premier League games, their lowest points total after six round of games since 1986.
NEVILLE SAYS TIELEMANS & MAINOO ARE NOT DYNAMIC ENOUGH
Carrick stuck with a familiar set-up for Saturday's fixture against Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham with Tielemans and Mainoo anchoring United's midfield.
The duo provided a shield for the Red Devils' defence and also contributed to the team's attack at some point before Tielemans made way for Carlos Baleba for his Manchester United debut following his summer move from Brighton.
Baleba partnered Mainoo until the end of the encounter and Neville has identified the second-half substitute as a more energetic option for Carrick to consider in subsequent matches.
"Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we’ve seen enough of it now,’ Neville told Sky Sports. "I’m not calling time on it because that’s probably too drastic but I’ve seen enough to think that’s not a midfield that’s dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League.
"I think they are both good players, by the way, individually. But sometimes you just have players that don’t quite knit together or don’t quite suit each other.
"I think when [Carlos] Baleba came on with Mainoo, it looked like there was a lot more energy."
Tielemans and Mainoo made the most tackles (five each) with an interception each for Manchester United in Saturday’s draw while Baleba registered two tackles and three interceptions in the final 30 minutes.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MAN UTD
Manchester United’s next three matches will be away from the Old Trafford.
They are scheduled to face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League at the Metropolitano Stadium followed by a Premier League trip to Elland Road against Leeds United.
Carrick’s men will also travel to Italy to face Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Champions League before returning to Old Trafford on October 25.
Neville has urged Manchester United players to react immediately by getting themselves up to overturn the team’s form.
"There’s going to have to be something done in there, and the rest of them are going to have to get a grip because they are going to a Diego Simeone Atletico Madrid and Elland Road,” the former Premier League champion added.
"If you’re not quite right there from a mental and physical perspective, you’re going to get found out.
"They’ve got a couple of days to recover, pick themselves up from this, and get going because if they don’t get going, it’s going to be a worrying few weeks."
Manchester United will face Atletico in Madrid on Tuesday.
