Gary Neville has issued a stark warning to Manchester United's players, insisting they must "get a grip" on their season or risk enduring a "worrying few weeks" — beginning with a Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The alarm came after Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, extending their winless run to four consecutive matches across all competitions and leaving them 12th in the Premier League.

Dominic Solanke's late equaliser rescued a point for Spurs despite playing with ten men, to the fury of the home supporters, who booed both at half-time and at the final whistle.

Neville's midfield concerns

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former United defender questioned whether the midfield pairing of Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo was dynamic enough for the demands of the Premier League.

"Tielemans and Mainoo — I think we've seen enough of it now," Neville said. "I'm not calling time on it because that's probably too drastic, but I've seen enough to think that's not a midfield that's dynamic enough to play at this football club in the Premier League."

Neville acknowledged the individual quality of both players but suggested they simply fail to complement each other. He pointed to the introduction of Carlos Baleba alongside Mainoo as a more energetic alternative.

"I think when Baleba came on with Mainoo, it looked like there was a lot more energy," Neville added. "There's going to have to be something done in there, and the rest of them are going to have to get a grip — because they are going to a Diego Simeone Atletico Madrid and Elland Road."

"If you're not quite right there from a mental and physical perspective, you're going to get found out. If they don't get going, it's going to be a worrying few weeks."

Redknapp echoes the concern

Jamie Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, was equally blunt, pointing to a recurring pattern of Manchester United throwing away leads this season.

"Brighton in the Carabao Cup, they were 2-0 up and lost 3-2," Redknapp said. "That is unprecedented and does not happen at Old Trafford — except it does with this team."

Saturday's draw was the third occasion this season that Michael Carrick's side have failed to hold a lead, following the 2-2 draw with Everton and the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.

"I don't see enough connections in that midfield and they look devoid of any confidence, ideas, or patterns of play," Redknapp continued. "Tottenham were just much better than them in every department. The squad is not good or strong enough and Michael needs help in that respect."

Fixtures ahead

Manchester United now face a demanding schedule: Atletico Madrid away in the Champions League on October 13, followed by a Premier League visit to Leeds United on October 18, then Como in Europe on October 21, before home and away Premier League clashes against Bournemouth and Chelsea to close out the month.