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Paul Scholes has accused Manchester United of a “lack of identity" and said the club's current forwards are simply not good enough.

Former United midfielder Scholes did not hold back in his scathing appraisal of the current squad, currently sixth, 27 points behind leaders Manchester City .

United are facing the prospect of missing out on the Champions League for the fourth time in six years, with Ole Gunnar Solskajer's side needing to win their final two games to have any chance of a top-four finish.

Scholes said it was time for United forwards Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukkau to start producing on a consistent basis, after falling short of expectations this season.

Rashford has three goals in his last 15 games, Martial one in 10, while Lukaku has failed to find the net in his last eight appearances for United.

(Image: EMPICS Sport)

“I think it’s a confusing club and a confusing squad of players at the minute,” said Scholes, who quit as Oldham boss last month after just 31 days.

“I always think at United and at big clubs, you’re only as good as your centre-forwards are and your attacking players.

“I’m not sure whether these attacking players are good enough.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

“We talk about potential with Martial, Rashford, but you’re getting to a point now where it’s not potential, you have to start producing week in, week out.

“Lukaku, I’m not sure if he’s a top-class centre-forward that’s going to score you 30 goals to win you a league. There’s confusion with the forwards.

“When I played we had four centre-forwards, who were brilliant, and they were centre-forwards.

(Image: PA)

“You look now and you’ve got Lukaku, who’s definitely a centre-forward, but then you’ve got Martial, Rashford, Sanchez.

“Are they centre-forwards? Are they wide players? There’s confusion all over the pitch. A lack of identity.”

As well as up front, Scholes said United have issues to address at the back, with the need for a centre-half of stature to come in and play alongside Victor Lindelof, in addition to a right-back.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

“If Lindelof can get a tough and aggressive defender next to him, I think they’ll be okay,” Scholes told Premier League Productions.

“They definitely need a right-back. Ashley Young has done well, converted from a winger.

“He’s struggled in the last few weeks but mainly he’s been alright over the last few years.”