Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are suffering a confidence crisis.

United's defenders have come under criticism for their performances, particularly Smalling and Jones.

And Scholes believes a lack of confidence has contributed to disappointing results.

“They've looked very nervous," he told BT Sport.

“You see this Tottenham game, was it 10 seconds when they scored?

“This is what they've been like, Jones and Smalling, anything around them they have been very nervous.

“When teams sit off them they're fine, they've got no problem, they can pass a ball to each other but as soon as they play against quality strikers, they're all over the place.

“This is Ashley Young as left-back as well, you've got Chris Smalling sat a further 10 yards back with Phil Jones going forward.

“This has been indicative of their last few weeks really, really nervous, shoddy defending, Phil Jones charging out there for no reason whatsoever, exposing himself.

“They were lucky in that game to only lose 2-0. Chris Smalling again, the pair of them have looked really nervous.

“They've been bullied by good players."