Ralf Rangnick told Man Utd pair are "not good enough" and reason behind problems

Ralf Rangnick has been told that the midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Fred are "not good enough" for Manchester United and the reason for the club's poor form throughout this season.

The claims were made by Liverpool legend Steve Nicol, a fellow Scotsman that has hardly leapt to the defence of his countryman in McTominay's case.

Despite the fact that Rangnick actually remains unbeaten after four games in charge of the Red Devils, the general consensus is that he has hardly got off to a stellar start after two wins and two draws, all four games coming against beatable opposition.

Yet to score more than one goal in any of the four games against Crystal Palace, BSC Young Boys, Norwich City and NewcastleUnited - two of those contests ended in 1-1 draw.

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The most recent stalemate at St James' Park saw United get dominated by Eddie Howe's struggling Magpies, who struck the woodwork twice as well as being thwarted by the brilliance of David de Gea between the sticks for Rangnick's side.

Disjointed at the back, United were cut open on a number of occasions by the league's 19th placed side, who have won just once this term.

In the aftermath of the game, Nicol has highlighted the reason as to why United have looked so poor so often throughout this campaign, under both Rangnick and his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The ex-Anfield favourite suggested that both McTominay and Fred were failing to offer United anything in both attack and defence.

"Look at the middle of the park, who's going to have Fred and McTominay in their team? Of the good sides, none of them," Nicol told ESPN FC.

"So, you look at the front four and you think 'why are these guys not producing?'

"Well, are they getting enough of the ball? Well, if you can't get enough of the ball against Newcastle, who quite frankly look as though they're going to go down in my opinion, then what chance have you got?

"So you could have anybody you want up front that you could pick, if you can't get them the ball you're not going to score goals."

Nicol went on to claim that while Rangnick must shoulder some of the blame, sections of United's squad simply aren't up to the task.

"If the two in the middle can't get the front four the ball, and they're not stopping anybody get through to the backline...

"So as much as it's Rangnick's fault, a lot of it is the players are just not good enough."