Jamie Carragher has claimed that Manchester United are going "backwards" under the guidance of manager Louis van Gaal.

The Red Devils suffered a dent in their campaign to finish in the top four when they were beaten 3-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Van Gaal's side conceded three goals in six minutes, and a number of fans tweeted their bemusement that Ashley Young, who traditionally plays on the wing, was sent up front after coming off the substitutes' bench.

United are now four points behind local rivals Manchester City, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.

"It looks like they're going backwards," Carragher said during Sky Sports' live coverage of the game. "In terms of Louis van Gaal, I don't see him at the club next year if he doesn't get top four. Manchester United are a much bigger team than Tottenham, although Tottenham have a better side at the moment, and [Van Gaal] is talking about how well they played.

"The fact we're saying United played well, we even mentioned it at half-time. That's United playing well now, without ever looking like scoring in that first half. [Tottenham] could have scored five or six. [Anthony] Martial had the one chance at 0-0, but that's what it's come to now, where Van Gaal is actually pleased that they just gave Tottenham a game.

"That's what he said - 'before the first goal we've given them a good game', but this is Manchester United and they're talking about Tottenham as if they're Real Madrid!"

United have six games left to claim a Champions League spot, but they are in danger of failing to qualify for the competition for the second time in three years.