Former Manchester United legend Dimitar Berbatov has blasted his old side, saying they deserve to be in the relegation zone.

United plunged into the bottom three on Saturday afternoon, perversely as neighbours Manchester City lost 3-1 away to Nottingham Forest.

The Bulgarian looked devastated when he was informed of United’s predicament while working on beIN Sports' coverage of the City game but still sounded hopeful that United could turn their form around.

When his attention was drawn to the Premier League table, the two-time Premier League winner initially had his head in his hands before saying: 'I don't believe it, but the way United are playing sometimes they deserve to be there honestly.'

Berbatov then took up a more positive tune saying: ‘Tomorrow they still have a game.'

United host Aston Villa on Sunday and after winning against Roma in midweek have the perfect opportunity finally to end their seven-game winless run in the league.

The fixture could prove either to be the nail in the coffin for United manager Michael Carrick or afford him more time after a woeful start to the season.

Berbatov won his two Premier Leagues alongside Carrick and will hope his ex-colleague can find a way to keep his job.

If he fails to guide his team to a victory against Villa it could be bleak for Carrick, as he has not been given any guarantees over his future beyond Sunday's game against Aston Villa.

Club chiefs handed Carrick more time to turn the club's season around following the 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth a fortnight ago amid speculation he could be replaced by Eddie Howe or Julian Nagelsmann.

In the two games since then, Carrick's side have lost at Chelsea and staged a rousing comeback over Roma in the Champions League to secure a first win in ten games.

But now the onus is on Carrick to build on the momentum gained from their Champions League victory.