Paul Scholes says Mauricio Pochettino is a "great manager" but the cluster of ex-Manchester United players are missing the point that the squad is not up to scratch.
With Michael Carrick sacked there is a feeling among pundits that United can now start getting back on track - but the assumption here is that it was the manager that was the problem.
Whether Pochettino has the personality and managerial qualities to take charge of United isn't relevant if he isn't given the pieces to work with.
It is now only a question of time before the former Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss takes over the reins.
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The 54-year-old is currently in charge of the United States national team but is understood to be open to a return to club management at Old Trafford.
Pochettino has an impressive managerial CV, having guided Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 before winning Ligue 1 and the French Cup during his spell at PSG.
But it is clear that the United squad is woefully unprepared to compete in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Carrick tried a series of formations this season but the players were not up to scratch.
And Scholes also believes there are reasons to question whether the club would be getting the best version of Pochettino at this stage of his career.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes said: "I think he's got the presence to manage a big football club like Manchester United. My only slight concern is they have come a little bit too late to the party.
"Mauricio Pochettino is a great manager. I just have that slight concern that we're not getting his best years.
"He's got a bit of a reputation of being a bridesmaid, not winning that many trophies. That possibly put Man Utd off a little bit in the past. They are in a totally different position now."
Carrick had initially enjoyed success after stepping in following Ruben Amorim's departure, guiding United to third place last season and earning himself a two-year contract.
But results deteriorated dramatically, with just three victories in 15 matches this season leaving United in serious trouble and prompting the club's hierarchy to act.
Former teammate Nicky Butt believes Pochettino would need to make some difficult decisions quickly, particularly when it comes to the playing squad.
"He’s got to work out the ones he can trust, the ones he can’t and quickly and get them out in January, he can’t stick with that team until next season," Butt said.
"Manchester United are that low down, they don’t even need to think about winning anything at the minute."
Scholes also questioned whether Carrick should ever have been handed the permanent position, suggesting his experience as a manager was insufficient for a job of United's magnitude.
"You've got to feel for Michael, Michael's not stupid. He knows winning one game out your first 10 league games is just not going to cut it," he said.
"Interim seemed to suit him. Michael never really had the body of work as a manager behind him to manage a club like Manchester United."
Gary Neville shared similar reservations, admitting he had doubts about Carrick's appointment when the decision was made in the summer.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: "Sad that it's come to this. I wish he hadn't got the job at the end of the season. I think at that time, I'd pretty much said that I felt this could happen.
"I didn't expect it to happen this quickly, but it is what it is. The position in the league is terrible. Inevitable that the decision had to be made."
Pochettino could now be tasked with reviving United's fortunes, potentially taking charge in time for next Sunday's Premier League meeting with Liverpool at Anfield.
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