Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United project is taking "too long", according to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who says the team are lacking a clear "strategy and DNA".
Solskjaer is currently overseeing his third full season in charge of United, having initially succeeded Jose Mourinho in the Old Trafford hot seat back in December 2018.
The Norwegian has gradually assembled a star-studded squad, but a consistent streak has yet to be found and with a five-year trophy drought now approaching, Schweinsteiger has questioned whether the Red Devils are heading in the right direction.
What's been said?
"United are still a work in progress," Schweinsteiger, who played for United between 2015 and 2017, has told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Solskjaer keeps mentioning that.
"It takes too long though for me in my eyes. If you look at [Man] City or Chelsea and the impact that Tuchel had on them - it was unbelievable. They have a strategy and a DNA. They have more in their game.
"When I watch United games I don't know how they play. I can't guarantee you a win and as a Manchester United fan you want to know that.
"They keep talking about time, but you don't have time in football. You have to win right now."
The former Germany international believes Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane will have a lasting impact after their respective moves to Old Trafford, but is still not certain whether the individual brilliance in the squad will be enough to deliver tangible success.
"It is still not 100% clear to me if United are going to be successful or not," Schweinsteiger added. "It has not been easy for them. They have great names like Pogba and Ronaldo, and I think that Rashford will help them a lot in the future.
"The experience of Ronaldo and Raphael Varane will definitely help the team, but the question is how much are they involved in the tactics of the team."
Crunch time for Solskjaer
The Red Devils are sitting sixth in the Premier League table on 14 points, eight behind leaders Chelsea having played a game less, with a crucial home fixture against third-placed Liverpool up next.
The Manchester outfit's daunting run of domestic fixtures will then continue with encounters against Tottenham, Manchester City, Watford, Chelsea and Arsenal, with Champions League group stage outings against Atalanta and Villarreal wedged in between.
The Norwegian manager's future could become much clearer by the end of that sequence as pressure continues to build on a club legend amid the dwindling patience levels of an expectant fanbase.
Further reading
-
Ronaldo fires back at critics: I will close mouths and win things
-
'We're chasing Liverpool' - Solskjaer admits Man Utd have fallen behind Reds
-
Solskjaer: If anyone wants to criticise Ronaldo, watch this game