Paul Scholes says Lionel Messi would struggle in Jose Mourinho's Manchester United side.

The former United midfielder has been critical of Mourinho during the club's recent patchy form, stating that he expected the Portuguese to be sacked after the loss to West Ham last month.

Scholes told ESPN: "I don't think there's a lack of quality there. I do think they miss a couple of real class players that other top teams seem to have - a link player between the midfield and the forwards and also a controlling midfield player.

"It feels like every player who comes into the team struggles. I feel like we could sign Lionel Messi at the moment and he'd struggle in this team.

"I think (Mourinho) still is (a great manager), but you wonder why his side keep getting outplayed.

"People talk about the first 10 games of this season but last year it was the same. The reason we finished second last year was because of the goalkeeper (David De Gea)."