Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has branded Manchester United's 4-0 defeat to MK Dons "very damaging".

Louis van Gaal's side were hammered by the League One outfit on Tuesday in the second round of the Capital One Cup, and the ex-Reds captain blasted the performance.

"I think it was very damaging," he told Sky Sports News. "And I know that Van Gaal was saying after the game that these things happen and the fans have to stay with them and believe, but that was as poor as it comes.

"Yes, he tried to flag up injuries and how many young players were playing but he had a nucleus of decent players there and it was those who let the youngsters down. They were guilty of misplacing passes.

"A Manchester United side shouldn't go down, I don't care who they play, they shouldn't go down like that."

United travel to Burnley this weekend.