Wayne Rooney believes that Manchester United’s current options in attack are not good enough to take his former side to ‘the next level’.

The Red Devils’ slow start to the season has them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League after eight matches.

Michael Carrick’s side were convincingly beaten by Bournemouth last weekend and are winless in their last eight matches in all competitions.

Much was made of United’s summer transfer window strategy, which saw the club prioritise midfield signings but fail to address a lack of depth at left-back and in forward areas.

And Rooney believes the club are paying the price for their lack of investment in both areas of the pitch.

‘You knew that Luke Shaw weren’t going to play all the games,’ Rooney told Stick To United.

‘You knew that Harry Maguire would struggle with Champions League football. Martinez would struggle with Champions League football and play in that, so why on earth do you not go and bring players in?

‘Why don’t you help the players? And then, for instance, you could say to Harry Maguire, we’re going to keep you for the Premier League, and we maybe bring someone in to play Champions League football and balance the squad out.

‘And they’ve done none of that.’

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Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko were all brought in last summer to freshen United’s forward line.

And while all three have shown promise in spells, Rooney is still not convinced that any of them should be viewed as long-term solutions.

‘They’re deluded if they think the front three that they’ve brought in are good enough; they’re not,’ Rooney added.

‘They want some players who’ve played in the Premier League. They’re bringing players in from Wolves, from Brentford, who have done well and done well for them clubs.

‘But to take this current group of Manchester United players, for them to sign and to take this team into the next level, into the Champions League, you know, you’re living in Cuckooland if you think they’re going to achieve that.

‘So the squad is absolutely a million miles away from being champions.’

Despite United’s poor start, Carrick is expected to remain in his post for Saturday’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann appear to be the two frontrunners to replace Carrick if he is sacked, while Antonio Conte and Unai Emery have also both been linked as potential candidates.