Jamie Carragher said he has “never seen” a team defend like Manchester United, as he questioned Erik ten Hag’s “impossible” tactics.

Alex Iwobi scored a 97th-minute winner on Saturday as Fulham beat United 2-1, coming away from Old Trafford with three points for the first time since 2003.

It is the tenth time United have lost in the Premier League this season, already more than last term, and they sit sixth in the table, now eight points off Aston Villa in fourth.

Ten Hag’s side have kept only two clean sheets in the league since November, allowing the opposition to have an alarming number of shots in recent weeks.

Fulham had 17 efforts at Old Trafford, while Luton had 22 when beaten by United a week earlier. West Ham managed 22 themselves, even in defeat earlier this month, and Newport, 16th in League Two, registered 17 attempts in their FA Cup clash with United.

Analysing the defeat to Fulham, Carragher revealed his surprise at the defensive set-up from United, insisting the team could not succeed without a significant tactical tweak.

“When I think of this Manchester United team, they defend like a team I’ve never seen before,” Carragher told Sky Sports.

“What I mean by that is they’re a team who like to press high with a deep block.

“It’s impossible. They’re trying to do two things at the same time. You can only do one or the other. We’re all pressing high or all defending deep, they’re trying to do both.”

He added: “It’s been the problem for Manchester United all season, the space between the back four and midfield. The reason why they’re poor defensively and can’t cope with counter-attacks.

“They’ve got no pace at the back and a lack of legs in midfield.”