Graeme Souness fears for Man Utd's immediate future (Image: GETTY)
That’s according to Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.
The Red Devils were provided a reminder of the task ahead of them by neighbours Manchester City in midweek.
Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions - who are the favourites to claim a second successive title in a fortnight - outclassed United on their own patch at Old Trafford with a 2-0 win.
Man City were better across all departments as United struggled to land much of a glove on their rivals, suffering a seventh loss in their last nine games across all competitions.
Manchester United have not endured such a run since 1962 and talk has turned to the state of their squad, with it widely felt that the club need a massive overhaul - starting in the upcoming summer transfer window - to be title contenders again.
The Manchester derby loss put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men 25 points behind City in the table, while Liverpool were also 24 ahead going into this weekend’s set of fixtures.
United’s form is threatening to derail their bid to secure Champions League football next season and they face a crucial home clash with Chelsea tomorrow (4.30pm) that could go a long way to determining their fate.
But ex-Liverpool midfielder Souness believes, regardless of whether they are in Europe’s premier competition or not next term, the coming transfer window will be a difficult one for United supporters to endure.
Optimism has begin to fade again at Man Utd (Image: GETTY)
Graeme Souness expects it to take multiple windows for United to turn things around (Image: SKY SPORTS)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a tricky job on his hands (Image: GETTY)
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I think it’s testing times for them
Graeme Souness
Discussing United’s situation, Souness said: “It’s going to be very difficult for them.
“It’s alright saying they’ll get rid of half a dozen, they’ve got to find clubs that will want them.
“What will happen, those players that won’t leave will be on enormous money here. For them to leave United will have to weigh them in [and pay some of their wages] to get them out the door.
“They won’t get any value for them. Not the value they think they’ll be worth. Of course when United go to buy players, the big clubs, there’s a premium to be paid.
“Very wealthy club, if Man United come knocking, you’re going to stick 25 per-cent on the price if you’re willing to sell. And will the really big players want to come here?
Man Utd were convincingly second best to Man City (Image: GETTY)
United fans found the Manchester derby a tough watch (Image: GETTY)