Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes hits out at Ed Woodward

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has hit out at the club's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, claiming that he is not "a football man".

The Red Devils began the season by recording their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign and they now sit 10th after 11 Premier League games.

That difficult start has seen United linked with a plethora of names ahead of a potential busy January, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has sought to reduce expectations by stressing how hard it is to do deals in the mid-season transfer window.

Speaking on BT Sport after United's 3-0 win over Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League, Scholes expressed the need for the Norwegian to be given more help in recruiting top players and leading a rebuild at the club.

"We know behind the scenes there is help needed, especially on the football side," he said.

"You look at the business side and it's great, Ed Woodward is very good at that. But as a football man? I don't think he's a football man.

"Now is the time where there needs to be a bit of help for Ole. Don't get me wrong, there's some good people around - the chief scout, Mike Phelan, great experience.

"But now is the time when he really needs some help to really bring some top players to this club."

United host Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon in their final game before the third international break of the season.