Manchester United’s recruitment under Jose Mourinho has been questioned by Paul Ince, with a centre-half storm raging on the back of previous deals for Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof.
The Red Devils bolstered their defensive ranks in 2016 and 2017, with big-money transfers pushed through for international performers.
Neither Bailly nor Lindelof have entirely convinced at Old Trafford, though, with the pair enduring a forgettable afternoon alongside one another during a 3-2 defeat at Brighton on Sunday.
Mourinho had been hoping to have more options at his disposal, having pursued the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire over the summer, but Ince feels he needs to shoulder more responsibility for additions that have already been made.
The former United midfielder told Match of the Day 2: "He spoke about not getting the centre-halves. Has he got the players he wanted to get in?
"He bought the two centre-halves and I don't think he got them right.
"[Chris] Smalling didn't play [against Brighton], [Phil] Jones is injured. I'm not sure he's got the right partnership."
While defensive frailties were highlighted against the Seagulls, United struggled as a collective to find fluency – with Paul Pogba questioning their attitude and preparation afterwards .
Ince admits these are concerning times at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils failing to deliver on expectations.
He added: "This is Manchester United. We expect better.
"You're not always going to play well as a team.
"I've watched that game and I'm trying to work out what the tactics were.
"I didn't know how Manchester United were setting up, what their game plan was. I saw it with Brighton.
"There was no cohesion, no pattern of play. What are they trying to do? What is their identity?"
United will need to have answers to those questions by the time they welcome fellow top-four hopefuls Tottenham to Old Trafford next Monday .
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