Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has claimed that the Red Devils are "two or three" attackers short of being a side capable of challenging for the major trophies once again.

United signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James and Harry Maguire during the summer transfer window, and all three have impressed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in the early stages of the 2019-20 campaign.

The 20-time English champions allowed both Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to leave during the summer without signing replacements, though, and the team have struggled in the final third this season.

Scholes has insisted that his former club do not need five or six players to return to former glories, rather "two or three" signings "in the forward areas".

"Sometimes you think they need five or six players but after games such as the draw against Liverpool, you think not as many," Scholes told BT Sport.

"It's maybe two or three (signing needed) and it's all in the forward areas. Not having a recognised number nine is a problem. Ole decided [Romelu] Lukaku wasn't good enough and [Alexis] Sanchez also left.

"It's a team that really lacks creativity and they are lacking a really good number ten. Someone who can pass through and score goals as well."

Scholes also suggested that his former club should be looking at Arsenal attacker Mesut Ozil, who is widely expected to leave the Emirates Stadium at the start of 2020.

United recorded their first away victory since March on Thursday night as a first-half Anthony Martial penalty handed them a 1-0 success over Partizan in the Europa League.