Manchester United haven’t been this bad since the 1980s according to Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness seldom passes up the opportunity to fire a shot at Manchester United.

But United are likely deserving of the criticism that they have faced since their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon. Jose Mourinho's side conceded three first-half goals and looked out of their element against the Seagulls as the defence made some sloppy errors in their second Premier League game of the season. Souness was on punditry duty for Sky Sports when he delivered a brutal assessment of the Red Devils as he insisted that the current crop of players is the least impressive since before Sir Alex Ferguson took over at Old Trafford.

"Bailly doesn’t know where he is and his head has gone," Souness said. "Murray has just got too much of everything for him. He’s in trouble here today. He doesn’t know if he’s in New York or New Year.

"United have been weak, losing individual battles. (Andreas) Pereira and Fred, what kind of midfield players are they? They’re just happy to keep possession and go square all the time.

"Prior to Fergie going to United, this is the most average group of players I’ve ever seen at the club. They’ve got absolutely nothing about them. They’ve got no presence or anything and there just doesn’t seem to be any leaders out their pointing fingers."

Mourinho refused to single anyone out for Sunday's defeat although he admitted that his side made far too many mistakes.

The United boss told Sky Sports: "When I speak about individual performances and I’m critical you just don’t accept it and the press the pundits they are very critical with me when I go in that direction so please don’t ask me to go in that direction because it’s not good for me. So I will be very very happy to analyse their performances when they are good. It’s a great thing for me to say player A, B, C was fantastic. That’s amazing for me."