Paul Scholes doesn't believe Manchester United made a mistake by appointing Ruben Amorim, although he does think Amorim's head could be "fried" after just a few months in the job.
Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon during the November international break, but he's been unable to improve results and United are currently 13th in the Premier League table.
United's head coach immediately implemented a new system and style of play. The 3-4-3 formation underpinned Amorim's success with Sporting, but he's been forced to operate with square pegs in round holes in Manchester because the players he inherited weren't signed for his system.
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Amorim warned a "storm" would come to Old Trafford and the 40-year-old will be counting down the days until the end of the season, so he can overhaul the squad in the transfer window.
In the meantime, United need results and Amorim was questioned last Friday when he started new signing Patrick Dorgu at right wing-back instead of playing him on the opposite side.
Scholes believes that decision suggests Amorim's head is "fried", but he stopped himself from saying it was a mistake for United to hire a manager who uses an entirely different system.
“Look, I’m not at the point where I’m thinking it’s the wrong decision [to appoint Amorim] because he’s came into a mess and still feels like a mess, but the rest," said Scholes.
"The league form, the way they’re playing now and you talk about cup competitions. As I said before, a big concern for me is that we’ve been crying out for a left wing-back.
"They buy one [Dorgu] and it tells me his [Amorim] head is a little bit fried and confused at the minute because he plays him at right wing-back and keeps Dalot on the left. What’s going on here?”
"There are a few things that are concerning. There's a lot of stuff he needs to do, we all know that, especially in transfer windows, but I don't see a core of players. I think a new goalkeeper is needed, possibly two centre-backs, two central midfield players, and two centre-forwards."
Scholes added: "They need to really create a spine and then you can add bits to it. I think Mainoo is lost and I talked about Declan Rice being lost before. I think Mainoo is lost and they don't know what to do with him. He's played in one of the No.10 positions and in the two in midfield.
"You can see that probably doesn't suit. I don't think he's the greatest athlete, although he is a great footballer, and the No.10 role suits, but as a false nine? Never in a million years.
"They need a spine and if they don't get that right this time, this might sound ridiculous, but the form since this manager has come in, they could be looking at a relegation fight."
United signed Dorgu (20) and Ayden Heaven (18) in the January transfer window, and Amorim will be hoping to be backed by Ineos in the summer to make some significant changes.
Scholes was speaking during a fan debate on Sky Bet's The Overlap.
