Manchester United endured another embarrassing draw against 10-man Tottenham after failing to register their second win despite bringing in a plethora of players.
Manchester United invested heavily last season in their attacking options, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
This season, they overhauled their midfield. United spent massively on Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Despite spending massively, they have failed to produce the control they would have expected in the midfield. The lack of control was evident in the recent Tottenham game, where Mainoo-Tielemans partnership failed to control the game collectively.
The midfield question was covered in our recent report as well, highlighting a lack of control and carried comments from Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp.
Where does Manchester United defence stand?
The bigger question is when United will strengthen their defence. As per our previous report as well, Manchester United are planning to overhaul their defence in the upcoming transfer windows.
United were heavily linked with several left backs but eventually failed to bring any one. The situation left Luke Shaw as the only senior option in the position, while Patrick Dorgu is used upfront by Michael Carrick.
Harry Amass is another option for Michael Carrick, but he is only here because of a failed transfer move. He has been rarely used at left back as Dalot and Mazraoui get the nod in the position ahead of him.
The situation at right-back isn’t all good either. Diogo Dalot is the first option there, but he rarely provides the assurance that puts Michael Carrick at ease. Noussair Mazraoui is the second choice at right-back, but his attacking numbers aren’t great either.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez form up United’s centre-back pairing while Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are used all over the defensive line in rotation when needed. Yoro was used at right-back against Tottenham while Heaven arrived as left-back towards the end of the game.
Is Lisandro Martinez the right choice at Manchester United?
Manchester United’s season hasn’t been defensively strong or anywhere near being good. They have conceded goals in all Premier League games and only kept one clean sheet against Sabah in the Champions League.
Lisandro Martinez has come under scrutiny after errors on four occasions. Against Ipswich Town, Manchester United won 5-2, but his error resulted in Ipswich’s second goal.
His own goal against Fulham gave away two points at Craven Cottage in the 1-1 draw. Another error led to Solanke’s goal against Tottenham, when he took his eyes off the ball.
His injury concerns are another aspect, and maybe Michael Carrick needs to make a decision.
Why does Manchester United need to change their center-back pairing?
Manchester United’s success depended heavily on youth over the years. When pundits questioned them, Sir Alex Ferguson gave them the chance to prove them wrong. Alan Hansen made the famous quote “You can’t win anything with kids” on the BBC’s Match of the Day on August 19, 1995. United did exactly that, played youth and went on to win everything.
Michael Carrick needs to do exactly that. He needs to trust youth and allow them to make mistakes. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven arrived as massive potentials, but they haven’t been given the license to express themselves, without fearing for their places. Both the youngsters have rarely started together or in a stretch of games. It is maybe time for them to take their chances.
Read ManUtd verdict
Michael Carrick needs to keep Harry Maguire as a senior experienced figure around them. There is no doubt over Martinez’s ability, but he is not the answer to United’s long-term problem. United need to blend youth with experience as their identity moving forward. Lisandro Martinez perhaps isn’t the answer to United’s problem.
A defensive revival expected in the upcoming transfer windows needs to happen now. It must happen with chances to the Youth. Michael Carrick needs to be brave enough and throw the youngsters in the mix. What it will bring is a long-term solution. They need to experience the errors and pressures that will shape them in football.
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