Former Manchester United stars Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes said the pressure is growing on Louis van Gaal after his team's Champions League exit at the hands of Wolfsburg on Tuesday.
United threw away an early lead and conceded late to lose 3-2 at the Volkswagen Arena. The defeat, combined with PSV's come-from-behind 2-1 victory over CSKA Moscow, eliminated the Red Devils.
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After United slipped from second to third in Group B, Ferdinand and Scholes were critical of van Gaal's side, given its lavish offseason spending.
"You look at the Champions League table and the teams there and you expect United to walk through and just put those sides to bed, especially at home," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "When you consider the money spent — to go to the last game needing a result is disappointing. You can understand fans' frustrations and that pressure is beginning to rise on van Gaal.
"It's embarrassing, I was in a squad that went in the Europa League, it’s an embarrassment. You don't want to come out of your house, you don't want to walk around Manchester, people looking at you and thinking you're not good enough, questioning you as an individual. This squad . . . There's no pace, no power, no leaders. Players are looking at each other rather than being the man."
Scholes said he is frustrated because Anthony Martial is asked to fill the attacking hole left by injured captain Wayne Rooney.
"There was no urgency, no threat and no quality," the former midfielder said. "United just looked like an average team, and with an average team you are going to get average performances.
"When you're relying on a 19- or 20-year-old kid to score you goals, it's not right. Proven goal scorers have left the club and that's where they've failed. I'm sure Martial will be brilliant, the only thing he lacks is killer instinct and maybe that'll come over time, but United shouldn't be relying on him having spent all that money.
"It's going to be a long, difficult season. (Van Gaal has) got to try get to the final of FA Cup. Last season, fourth was OK in a period of stabilizing, but now fourth isn't good enough.
"It's more of a disaster when you're surprised, but I'm not surprised. It's a team that has been poor all season in a shocking group. Will these teams (PSV and Wolfsburg) get to the quarterfinals? I think they'll get knocked out next round."