Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has said that "there is a softness and weakness" that exists in the current Red Devils side.

The 20-time English champions have lost four of their opening six matches of the 2023-24 campaign, including their last two in the Premier League against Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Erik ten Hag's side were also beaten 4-3 by Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on Wednesday evening, with the four goals making it 14 conceded in all competitions this season.

Man United started well at Allianz Arena, but a mistake from Andre Onana allowed Bayern to take the lead, and the German side then doubled their advantage four minutes later.

Scholes said that his former side have had positive spells in matches this season, but the midfielder has slammed the "softness and weakness" in the team.

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"They have had spells in every game they have lost this season where they have done okay, but that is not good enough," Scholes told TNT Sports.

"There is a softness and weakness there and once they concede one, you need to say come on, the next five minutes let's stay in the game and before you know it, they score another goal.

"I think this is almost going to be an identical season to last year. They are a cup team. They could possibly win the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup, they are just not at this level yet.

"I think the summer has hindered them from getting where that next level is and we saw tonight that they are below this level.

"When you look at the game as a whole, I thought Manchester United did well but still conceded two goals early on and lacked that concentration.

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"Those three goals flattered Manchester United, I thought they were outclassed in the second half really. There is experience in this team, but it's not being used."

Meanwhile, ex-Red Devils centre-back Rio Ferdinand, who was also on punditry duty, added: "They showed a bit of spirit at the end, but up until that point they are not making it hard enough for teams to score goals – goals and chances are being given up too easily.

"They are making it hard for themselves. When you come to places like this, you have got to be hard to play against, concentrate and be hard to get through and they are not being that at the moment.

"And, when they get their moments in these games they are not being clinical enough – to score three goals at the Allianz Arena, you have to get away with something."

Man United will be aiming to avoid suffering a fourth successive loss in all competitions when they head to Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday night.