Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has described the club’s current situation as worrying, warning that a difficult run of fixtures could further expose the team’s weaknesses under head coach Michael Carrick.

United’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday extended their winless run in all competitions to nine matches, their longest such sequence since 1984.

Neville said the club appeared trapped in a cycle of poor results and performances, adding that the players struggled to remain disciplined and respond effectively when opponents gained the advantage.

He observed that United often lost their composure after conceding, making it difficult for them to recover during matches.

Although he dismissed the prospect of the club becoming involved in a relegation battle, Neville said the situation remained concerning, particularly with several challenging fixtures approaching.

United are scheduled to face Roma in the Champions League before hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League and travelling to Liverpool. Neville warned that organised opponents could cause further problems for Carrick’s side.

The former defender also expressed dissatisfaction with Lisandro Martinez’s recent performances, accusing the Argentina international of being responsible for several goals conceded by the team.

Martinez was sent off during the defeat at Stamford Bridge after receiving two yellow cards, in what was only his second start since publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy.

Neville said the defender had been at fault for both goals against Chelsea, describing his contribution to the opening goal as particularly poor.

He acknowledged Martinez’s status as a World Cup winner but argued that the frequency of his defensive errors was unacceptable for a player representing Manchester United.

Neville added that the club’s defence remained below the required standard and frequently struggled when placed under pressure.

United face Roma on Tuesday as they seek to end their poor run, with further league and European fixtures scheduled in the coming weeks.