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Jose Mourinho still doesn't know his best Man Utd team, says Ray Wilkins

Manchester United's Jose Mourinho makes notes
Image: Ray Wilkins thinks Jose Mourinho is still trying to work out what his best Manchester United team is

Ray Wilkins believes Jose Mourinho still does not know what his best team is after 14 games of his reign at Manchester United.

The Old Trafford side were thrashed 4-0 by Chelsea on Sunday as Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked by the London club last season.

Losing brought his side's five-match unbeaten run to an end and it means they have now lost four times already this term and only won just over half of their games.

The Chelsea game was United's third in six days following games earlier in the week against Liverpool and Fenerbahce but Wilkins refuses to cite fatigue as an issue.

He told Sky Sports Now: "I don't go with people being tired - I just don't think they've got a settled side. I just don't think Jose knows what his best XI players are to be perfectly honest.

Chelsea players celebrate after going 4-0 up against Manchester United
Image: Chelsea thrashed Manchester United 4-0 on Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge

"I don't think that's because of the competitions they're in. Chelsea haven't played but I'm sure they'd sooner be playing in Europe and would have played in that time.

"Manchester United have to start improving and the goals they conceded yesterday were very, very poor as far as they're concerned.

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"We talk about parking the bus - you could have driven a bus through that United defence on three of the occasions Chelsea scored.

"They're just not performing and I think it's going to take a while for Jose to turn it around as well."

Wilkins does not necessarily think new faces are required to change United's fortunes and instead feels Mourinho should turn to the experienced figures he already has at his disposal.

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Chelsea 4-0 Man Utd

Michael Carrick was an unused substitute at Chelsea and Wayne Rooney did not travel but the former United player thinks both should be mainstays of the team.

Wilkins added: "Jose's got to make changes. I would love to see Michael Carrick playing in there. He's the one player United have who can actually control a game from the middle of the field.

"I don't see [Ander] Herrera doing it. I thought he was very good at Liverpool but that was more from a defensive perspective.

Daley Blind and Ander Herrera cut dejected figures at Stamford Bridge
Image: Wilkins does not think Ander Herrera (left) is the right player to control a game from midfield for United

"I certainly don't see [Marouane] Fellaini being able to control a game - he, for me, is someone who can get forward and get you a goal because of his sheer presence.

"But I think they need someone in there controlling the game and Michael Carrick is the guy for me. If you look at the goal difference, it's plus one and that's not like Manchester United.

"They're normally up at plus nine or 10 but at the moment they're not playing that attacking brand of football where they're going to create chances and score a bundle of goals.

Wayne Rooney (R) sits on the substitutes bench Michael Carrick
Image: Wilkins believes Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney should both be mainstays of Mourinho's side

"In many ways, I'm quite pleased Wayne Rooney's not in the team at the moment because he would be taking a lot of flak for what is going on.

"I think he was harshly dealt with and I would like to see him back in there as soon as possible to be honest."

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