Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick should play forward Benjamin Sesko as his side are offering "no danger" through the middle, says former Premier League striker Charlie Austin.

Matheus Cunha started in the striker position with Bruno Fernandes behind him and Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford on the wings on Sunday. Yet, his side were largely blunt in the 1-0 derby defeat by rivals Manchester City, despite playing against 10 men for almost 70 minutes, and register a lower xG (forecasted goals) than their opponents.

Sesko was eventually introduced midway through the second half but could not turn the tie around.

In a related development, "I don't think we should allow VAR and those moments to overshadow the fact that Manchester United were poor," Austin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"They don't play with a number nine. They had 10 versus 11 and didn't have a number nine. Cunha is not a nine, he is a 10 or he plays wide. He is never occupying the two centre backs or he drops in.

"There is no danger going forward for me for Manchester United through the middle.

Furthermore, "Down the middle, even if you don't like Sesko you are going to have to suck it up and play him. Then it's two of either Mbuemo, Cunha or Rashford, because I don't think you can play all three as none of them are number nines."

Asked whether Carrick is showing he does not trust Sesko, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards noted: "There is a body of evidence building up that he doesn't fancy him from the start.

"They had one shot on target until midway through the second half and they were playing against 10 men. City's control of that game with 10 men should embarrass United. They weren't hurting them and they were also being passed through."