Jose Mourinho accused his players of trying to complicate matters after his side were forced to settle for a point at Southampton.
Manchester United fought back from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 at half-time but they struggled to build on their revival after the break leaving Mourinho to admit his team didn't have any "mad dogs".
The United boss made several changes to the team which beat Young Boys during midweek in the Champions League and hs surprisingly left out Anthony Martial from his starting XI. A revamped defence had many United fans worried before kick-off and it looked like those fears were justified after they were caught napping by the two early Saints goals.
Mourinho told BT Sport: "We lost so many balls in midfield and the last third. We didn't have any continuity.
"What we did so well in the last 20 minutes of the first half was connecting with the attacking players by transporting the ball in the right moments. We had the right choice of pass, played simple and acclerated the game.
"In the second half we went back again to the dynamic where we lose too many balls in midfield. Some players don't understand that simplicity is genius. They keep going to complicated football.
"But there was good spirit and a good comeback. Players were fighting to the limit - showing respect for the shirt and the club.
"We don't have many mad dogs - the ones who bite the ball all the time and press. I think Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic did a very good job for two midfielders playing in midfield."
