Man Utd have conceded twice in every Premier League game this season, and that defensive record could be put to the test this weekend.
It was a welcome clean sheet for Manchester United against Sabah on Thursday night, but it’s fair to say Manchester City’s front line will pose a bigger threat than the journeymen of Azerbaijan this weekend.
United had conceded twice in their first three Premier League games of the season, but despite a first-half scare, they kept Sabah at arm’s length to record a 4-0 win to open their Champions League campaign.
That soft underbelly could be back in the spotlight on Sunday, however, when Erling Haaland and co rock up at Old Trafford. If Hull, Ipswich and Everton can all breach this rearguard twice, then City will fancy their chances of doing some damage.
United have conceded twice in 10 of Michael Carrick’s 20 Premier League games in charge, and although they have won five of those games and lost just twice, that kind of record feels unsustainable.
There is no shortage of defensive know-how on Carrick’s backroom staff, with Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate bringing plenty of experience, and another former United centre-back believes it is more about a team issue than individuals.
“They need to not only control the game, but defensively control the game by not giving away opportunities,” Jaap Stam told the Manchester Evening News, in an interview via Betfred.
“We know that if you want to win a league or win trophies then you need to be steady as a team and be consistent in what you’re bringing to the game.
“Is it something with individuals, and are we lacking quality with individuals, or is it something we can do better as a team? I think it’s the second one because I think we could do better with our defensive work and getting back behind the ball quicker, defending as a unit and not giving away these opportunities. It happens too often that United give away these goals.”
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were Carrick’s first-choice centre-back pairing last season and although Leny Yoro came in for the former against Sabah, it would be a surprise if it wasn’t Maguire and Martinez against City.
But there is another option that Carrick hasn’t yet had the opportunity to use, in Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt. The former Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich centre-back hasn’t played for eight-and-a-half months after a back injury, but he is nearing a return to action.
He was in the best form of his Old Trafford career until his injury setback and Stam believes the 27-year-old’s ability to organise could make him a serious option to shore up the defence.
“I wouldn’t say that Matthijs solely has got the mentality that you need because I think all the other players are trying to do their best and a lot of them have the experience where you expect them all to step up and lead the team together, especially in communication with each other, which is incredibly important,” said Stam.
“Matthijs, as I know him, and how he can play, he’s got the physique, he can play out from the back and he’s a tough defender that’s hard to get past. He’s always trying to organise, so that can really help a team.”
Carrick is aware that conceding fewer goals is essential if United are to make a mark in the Premier League or Champions League this season, but next summer will bring an overhaul of the defence.
A left-back will remain the priority signing, with Lewis Hall still at the top of United’s wishlist despite a new five-year deal with Newcastle, but Stam believes right-back should also be looked at in 2027.
“Everybody always wants to see the best players in their team, but I think it’s about finding the right quality of course within the squad that you need, and they need to address certain positions that they can be stronger in,” he said.
“For me, it’s very important that they look at the full-back positions. I think Luke Shaw is a good and experienced player, but he’s struggled with injuries and especially now with the Champions League returning and more games, you’ll need to rest players and have somebody that can come in and play that position quite easily.
“You may need to bring somebody in that can play at the same level or even better and I think that applies to right-back as well. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can play that position, but I think it’s important to bring in a right-back that’s even better and has more quality defensively. I think that’s what we need.
“We have lots of players that can play at centre-back. Harry Maguire’s still very important for United and at left centre-back, Lisandro Martinez is very good on the ball and his passing is good, but does he form the ideal pairing with Harry? We don’t know yet.
“Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro are both still very young and they need to get more experience, but they need to have minutes if they’re to gain that experience. Michael Carrick needs to make decisions in these areas because they need the points and they need to win games. That’s the most important thing at the moment.”
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