Man United have won five of their 11 games this season and their midfield imbalance was exposed again by Leicester on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is privately unhappy Manchester United failed to sign a midfielder in the transfer window as he continues to struggle on a proactive partnership.
The Manchester Evening News understands Solskjaer wanted to recruit a midfielder in the summer but a combination of factors prevented United from bolstering the area.
Failure to address the midfield imbalance has already had disastrous consequences, with the pressure mounting on Solskjaer after five wins from 11 games this season. United have lost two of their last three Premier League matches and kept one clean sheet in their last 19.
Sources say the unlikelihood of a midfield signing did not stop United from wanting to buy one and there was agreement within the club structure that a winger and a centre-back should be prioritised. United signed Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane before the sensational re-signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Solskjaer has used seven different midfield combinations since the season started but remains reliant on the partnership of Scott McTominay and Fred, often derided by some supporters. Neither started in the 4-2 battering by Leicester on Saturday.
