'Roy Keane is right, Man United's players lack the two things needed for revival'
Manchester United's poor pre-season preparations must be behind their terrible start to the season.
That is the opinion of experienced former Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Michael Carrick is under huge pressure already this season after his team won just one of their opening five Premier League games and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
Man United were excellent in the second half of last season, but have looked a shadow of the team Carrick oversaw as interim manager.
The Englishman will now have the international break to revitalise his side ahead of a key run of fixtures, starting with also-struggling Tottenham.
Whispers of a change in the dugout have already begun, but chiefs at Old Trafford will not jump into any hasty decisions.
'Michael Carrick is a good manager, but...'
Looking at the running stats, there is clearly some work Man United have to do to close the gap physically.
In Sunday's 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, Fulham outran the visitors by over six kilometres and completed 10 more sprints.
"I'm not sure whether Michael Carrick has got the same strength as what's needed at Manchester United at this moment in time," King told Football Insider.
"Physically and mentally they look weak, and that boils down to what was the preparation during pre-season. It looks to me as though they've got too many players who are similar. That fight and energy, as Roy Keane has said, physically and mentally they look weak.
"After watching them, I think he's spot on. I believe Paul Merson said that, for example: 'Carrick's a good manager, but is he strong enough at this level?'
"There again, we're talking five games in here, but things have certainly got to change there, as they have at Tottenham. It was the same at Tottenham. Physically and mentally, Spurs look poor, and certainly Man United do. They were lucky against Fulham."
Youri Tielemans interview ages poorly
Man United have looked slightly off the pace throughout the season so far, clearly fading towards the end of games.
It was even evident as they were beaten by Hull City in their opening fixture, with Youri Tielemans' pre-season comments suddenly re-emerging with a vengeance.
In an interview with Rio Ferdinand, the new Man United signing said: "We've just had a nice spa day. Just a sharp session [this morning], that's what it's been like mostly.
"[Not loads of running?] No, when you come back from the World Cup, you just chill."