It was another example of the crisis that Man Utd are struggling to pull themselves out of as Galatasaray ran out 3-2 winners at Old Trafford with lapses in defence allowing the Turkish giants to record a first-ever win on English soil. Last Word on Football will look at the issues at the back and analyse if there is a way that Erik ten Hag can set up to make his side more difficult to break down in the coming weeks.
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Club Legend Highlights Man Utd Defence as Most Concerning Area
Defensive Issues Plaguing Man Utd Progress
It is now 18 goals conceded in ten games in all competitions. Three goals or more have now been conceded on four separate occasions this campaign as the Red Devils have struggled to field a settled back four. There have been injuries to several key defenders, and it has limited the manager’s options with Sofyan Amrabat, hailed as the answer to the problems in midfield, being played out of position at left-back.
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Rasmus Hojlund bagged a brace in the Champions League defeat, making it three goals in two in the competition, with optimism levels rising in the hope he can be the answer to the club’s centre-forward issues. Casemiro has hit form in recent weeks despite his red card in this game, while Christian Eriksen is starting to overcome his sluggish start to the season. Almost every area of the pitch has seen minor improvements as the fixtures have progressed, but there is always a nightmare showing around the corner from this United defence to halt any momentum.
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Rio Ferdinand Highlights Defensive Organisational Problems
Man Utd legend Ferdinand had scathing words for his former side on TNT Sports after yet another disappointing result at Old Trafford:
“I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions tonight. One minute I’m sitting here I’m going, ‘Well, we look like a team that showed potential and have something to be positive about’ and all of a sudden I’m sitting there with my head in my hands thinking there’s an absolute lack of organisation at times.”
“You have experienced players through the middle of this team and there’s no organisation defensively. We score goals and at that moment, you’re told as a kid as well, that’s when you’re at your most vulnerable. That’s where you’ve got to be your most concentrated, and we go to sleep. We’re being cut open like a hot knife through butter at times and it’s embarrassing.”
Ten Hag Should Look to Experienced Players in Defence
A centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire would be ridiculed, but there is potential wisdom in selecting one of the two in the coming fixtures. Evans was excellent in his only start this season and has a wealth of experience in difficult situations, while Maguire was steady against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup victory. Both of United’s most recent victories featured one of the two in the starting lineup.
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There is an issue with a lack of pace on the cover with the currently available players, and this would admittedly not be solved by adding either player to the United defence. Victor Lindelof has struggled for form this season and needs to be taken out of the limelight. The 29-year-old Swedish international is a solid backup option, but it is nonsensical to keep picking a player who has yet to play a good game thus far.
Balance of Midfield Still Not Correct
The idea of playing Mason Mount in the centre of midfield is a gamble that has not paid off as his lack of defensive instincts has adversely affected the balance and this resulted in midfield runners not being picked up, leaving the defence exposed. Casemiro is expected to fill this role, but his range of passing and important goals have become a vital part of the creativity of this side.
There is a simple solution here with Scott McTominay more suitable to playing alongside the Brazil international. Amrabat would be the ideal scenario, but with the injury crisis at left-back, he is filling that role. The Scotland international brings a physicality to the middle of the park that Mount does not provide and is more willing to sit in and track runners, whereas the former Chelsea man has never been this type of player.
It may seem like a backwards step for the manager to drop his new £60 million signing, but this side looks far too open and vulnerable, and he must be practical with his selections in the coming weeks if he is to save his job.
