Gordon Strachan tells Man Utd one key thing they don't have in entire squad

Manchester United are having a difficult season under Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman is hoping to strengthen the Red Devils squad during the January transfer window

Erik ten Hag needs to bolster his midfield this month, says Gordon Strachan.

Manchester United are suffering another challenging campaign. The Red Devils are midtable in the Premier League with just one win in five top-flight games.

Last weekend they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against struggling Nottingham Forest. And former United ace Strachan reckons Ten Hag's misfiring engine room is the issue.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag’s true feelings during Sir Jim Ratcliffe meeting analysed by body language expert

READ MORE: Roy Keane says 'f***ing hell give me a break' after Rory McIlroy reveals brutal snub

"The problem with Manchester United is their midfield," he said. "Good players in their own right - but there is no imagination there really.

"There is no one that can eliminate people in the middle of the park by carrying the ball through the lines."

Strachan, 66, made over 600 professional appearances playing primarily in midfield. The Scot, who had stints in England with United, Leeds and Coventry, believes the club need recognised world-class playmakers on their books.

"If you look at the best midfield players over the past 20 years; the likes of your Iniestas, Xavis, Luka Modric - and then more recently with Bernardo Silva - they can all beat the press with the ball at their feet," added Strachan, who was a title with Leeds in 1992.

"I don’t think Manchester United have that in their entire squad of midfielders.

"The players who played are all good in their own right, but you need that difference-maker."