Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes the club’s recruitment during the summer transfer window is to blame for their poor start to the season.

The Red Devils have won just one of their opening four Premier League matches, while they were also knocked out of the EFL Cup in the second round by League Two Grimsby Town.

Their most recent defeat came at the hands of rivals Manchester City, who started Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal for the first time in a routine 3-0 success.

United were linked with a move for the Italy international as a replacement for Andre Onana, who has been loaned to Trabzonspor, but the Red Devils ultimately landed young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.

Donnarumma saved both of the shots he faced in the Manchester derby, including a great stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo, as he began his Premier League career with a clean sheet.

Ruben Amorim’s attacking department was bolstered heavily this summer following the additions of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo.

But Scholes feels their priorities were in the wrong place, saying the club should have moved for a dynamic midfielder and a goalkeeper of Donnarumma's standing.

“I don't think the quality is there [in midfield],” Scholes told BBC Sport.

“Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo... whatever combination he tries [in midfield] doesn't seem to work.

“That's a big issue. I thought all summer the absolute priority was a central midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game.

“Goalkeeper was a major issue. Did they really need to get to the Grimsby game to realise Onana is not good enough?

“If Manchester United were not in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is a criminal offence.

“The recruitment side went to buy forwards. That did need addressing, but did it need three of them? I'm not sure it did.”

United are next in action against Chelsea on Saturday, having missed out on Champions League football for a second straight season.