Roy Keane has delivered a damning verdict on Manchester United's squad, saying that he 'wouldn't trust these players to get (the club) back to the top, competing for the big prizes'.
A stark statistic before kick-off against West Ham highlighted that the four wing-backs to have started for Ruben Amorim in the Premier League this season - Diogo Dalot, Amad Diallo, Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui - had a combined total of just one goal and three assists.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of United's game against West Ham, with his old team sitting eighth in the standings, Keane said: 'I wouldn't have too much confidence in the wing backs defensively - or the midfield yet.
'The attacking players have given United a bit of a boost this year; certainly they're more of a goal threat. But I wouldn't sit here and hang my hat on these midfield and defensive players, that they're good enough to play regularly and do the business week-in, week-out for Man United.'
When it was pointed out to Keane that Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz had more goal contributions than the four combined - with five - Keane added: 'That's because he's a better player and he's better in that position.
'We look at these players and we think "they're not very good defensively but they're better attacking players", but even the stats going forward aren't that good. That's why United will need better than the players we just spoke about.
'I wouldn't trust these players to get Manchester United back up competing for the big prizes.'
While prior to the match Diallo was the only United wing back to have found the back of the net - and his relationship with Bryan Mbeumo on the right flank is one that is ever-flourishing - United have looked vulnerable at the back in several moments due to his weakened defensive capabilities. After all, Diallo was primarily a winger before Amorim opted to adapt his role to fit his 3-4-3 system.
The reverse, meanwhile, can be said of Diogo Dalot on the opposing flank. A natural full back - and one who previously favoured the right - the left wing has been far more profligate this season.
Amorim recently said that he could 'feel the anxiety' every time he and team-mate Dorgu were on the ball, saying: 'I don't know what's going to happen in January. What I feel when I see them (Dorgu and Dalot) training, they are doing so much better than in games.'
Another player who failed to escape the former United captain’s scrutiny was Joshua Zirkzee - despite the Dutchman ending his near year-long goal drought against Palace last weekend.
Keane even had to stop himself from finishing the word 'awful' when describing the 24-year-old's performance against Palace.
'Against Palace - I know he ended up scoring and that will obviously lift his confidence - but his general play was so bad,' the 54-year-old said.
'The amount of times he gave the ball away cheaply, not under pressure. All of that part of the game he has to improve on if he wants to be at United.
'But that goal will hopefully give him more confidence and belief that he can play for United, because at the moment there are obviously huge question marks over him. There has to be.
'He hasn't got my trust yet. I don't believe he's a proper United striker yet.'