Wayne Rooney believes that Manchester United still have not recovered from the sales of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
United have endured another disappointing season, continuing their struggles since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
But former Red Devils captain Rooney claimed their struggles can be traced back to more than a decade ago and the departure of two big names.
Ronaldo left Old Trafford in 2009 to join Real Madrid, before returning for his second spell at the club last summer, while Tevez left the same year.
Rooney played alongside Ronaldo and Tevez and the three forwards helped fire United to the Premier League and Champions League double in 2008.
The Derby manager claimed that by letting the star duo leave, the club made a huge mistake which they are still paying for.
'I said it back in 2009 and 2010, losing Ronaldo and Tevez was a big loss. I still believe they've struggled to recover from that,' Rooney told talkSPORT.
'Losing Alex Ferguson and David Gil was a big blow for them. Ed Woodward came in and I think Ed has done a good job.
'They've changed the manager a few times and they just need that stability and have some time to work with the players.
'Man United aren't going to win the league in the next two or three years. They need to use this time so in the next three or four years they are challenging again.
'They are a long way off it at the minute.'
Tevez is currently a free agent after leaving Boca Juniors last year, while Ronaldo sealed his return from Juventus in summer.
But the Portugal international is enduring a frustrating season as United currently sit fifth in the Premier League, one point out of the Champions League spots.