Paul Scholes believes Jose Mourinho has lost the trust of the Manchester United hierarchy in the transfer window, leading to the club's current problems.
The Portuguese coach was prevented from making a string of defensive signings in the summer, with moves for Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld thwarted by the club's board.
Three new faces did arrive during the off-season but they have been unable to prevent United's worst ever start to domestic campaign for 29 years.
"We keep saying he hasn't been backed and has been undermined but he has spent a lot of money," former United midfielder Scholes told BT Sport.
"You look around the team, he has spent money and I don't think you can ignore that.
"It feels like he's lost trust with [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward. There seem to be so many mistakes made.
"We talk about the centre-backs, Sanchez especially. Maybe he's thinking 'I can't trust this manager with the money'.
"That is the wrong way to go about it. If he is the manager at the club then you have to back him."
After Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant were the only additions made in the summer, Mourinho predicted a difficult season for the 19-time English league champions.
And with local rivals Liverpool and Manchester City continuing to spend heavily in the transfer market, Rio Ferdinand feels Mourinho's unhappiness stems directly from the lack of freedom afforded to him.
"I think he saw the writing on the wall with the centre-halves," explained the ex-England international. "I think that is where his frustration lies.
"I agree that he has had money to spend but I think he wanted to go again and if the club are not going to back him, why are you staying with that guy?
"Is the recruitment good enough? I don't think the quality is in the building right now to feel that they're going to mount a challenge."
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
