Chris Sutton has criticised Manchester United's sell-to-by transfer strategy this summer.
Erik ten Hag's side have endured another less-than-ideal start to the season, with a narrow victory over Wolves followed by defeat against a re-energised Tottenham on Saturday.
In both games Ten Hag deployed a midfield three of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and summer signing Mason Mount, with the latter now expected to miss multiple games due to injury.
Speaking on the latest episode of Mail Sport's new preview podcast 'It's All Coming Up' alongside Ian Ladyman, Sutton questioned Ten Hag's need to sell players in order to bring in further additions this summer and warned that allowing Scott McTominay to depart could prove to be a mistake with his midfield misfiring.
'I mean, you'll know this better than me, but that seems pretty odd that Manchester United need to sell to bring players in.' Sutton said.
'McTominay is a strange one, isn't he? Because I'm just watching them last week against Tottenham. I think that Manchester United certainly missed that drive and that tenacity in the middle of the park.
'I really do think that they maybe missed his type. But it's one to watch. They clearly want Harry Maguire out of the club.
'But I think with regards to McTominay, I wouldn't be in a rush to get him out of the door necessarily.'
Ladyman added that United may elect to prevent McTominay departing in light of Mount's injury worries.
'Yeah, we learned today that Mason Mount will be out until the international break, at least.
'So whatever that injury is, United haven't said what it is, Mason Mount's people haven't said what it is. Whatever that injury is, is obviously going to keep him out for a while.
'So you wonder whether they might revise the McTominay viewpoint just to keep bodies in.
McTominay has been repeatedly linked with a move to West Ham this summer, with David Moyes' Europa Conference League winners reportedly keen on securing the Scotsman's signature.
After being limited to cameo appearance during the dying moments of United's win at home to Wolves in the Premier League, McTominay featured as the club suffered a 3-0 defeat against Burnley in a behind-closed-doors friendly at their Carrington training complex on Wednesday.
Moyes has already signed James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez as he looks to continue upgrading his options in midfield following Declan Rice's £105m move to Arsenal in July.
The Hammers had also agreed a £30m fee to sign former United captain Maguire earlier this month, but the deal broke down with the England star determined to fight for his place despite falling out of favour since the Dutchman's arrival at Old Trafford.
'It's All Coming Up' is the punchy, short and sharp little brother of Mail Sport's new weekly podcast 'It's All Kicking Off', featuring Chief Football Writer Ian Ladyman and star columnist Chris Sutton on a heated pre-weekend Zoom chat.