Manchester United legend Paul Parker has claimed Scott McTominay is "a modern-day Robbie Savage" who "just runs around trying to kick people".
McTominay established himself as a regular this season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before a knee injury sustained on Boxing Day sidelined him for eight weeks.
But Parker says the Scotland international's emergence is part of the problem at Old Trafford, comparing him to former United academy graduate Savage.
The former United defender told Eurosport: "Scott McTominay is a good example of the problem. He just runs around trying to kick people, thumping the badge. He's like a modern-day Robbie Savage. You need more than that.
"If people are saying United are missing McTominay, they're not really Man United fans. The reason he's out injured is because he tried to kick someone and hurt himself. If that's what people think United are, then they weren't around for the good times."
Parker added: "Every time Solskjaer looks at what his midfield's going to be – well, let's just say I'm just surprised he's not gone bald already because it must paralyse his brain that there is no midfield at all at United.
"Whatever he puts out there, there's absolutely no guarantee it's going to work. If you're playing up font, you know that you're not going to get the ball. If you're in defence, you know that the ball's going to come straight back. The midfield is the problem at United. They have absolutely no middle ground."