Premier League
Defence Will Cost Manchester United Top Four Finish
Jose Mourinho’s summer warnings that Manchester United would have a difficult season are coming true.
Back to back defeats against Brighton and Tottenham have piled the pressure on the Portuguese manager.
United played considerably better against Tottenham in the first half showing an intensity and attacking play that was missing against Brighton.
However, their defensive frailties were exposed in the second half as they conceded three goals for the second game in a row.
Incredibly Manchester United has conceded seven goals in three games. In the whole of last season they conceded just 28 goals in 38 games.
Mourinho expressed his desire to sign a centre back or two during the summer transfer window. That failure to bring in a new centre back could well cost United a place in the top four.
Defensive Mistakes Cost United
Jose Mourinho would have been happy with United’s first half performance. They limited Tottenham to half chances.
However, they imploded in the second half and the defence lost their way. Phil Jones was all over the place as he tried to mark Harry Kane from a corner.
It was a great header by Kane but why was there nobody on the post to clear the ball away?
For Tottenham’s second goal the United defence were all at sea again. Christian Eriksen had so much space on the right wing that he could have stopped and had a drink before putting the cross in.
It was a great finish by Lucas Moura but Eriksen shouldn’t have been allowed that much time to get the cross in.
Lucas Moura wrapped up the victory with the third easily skipping past Chris Smalling. The English defender should have been stronger and got a better block in.
Over the last two games Mourinho has tried all four of his centre backs. All of whom have made mistakes.
Even more annoying for Mourinho will be seeing his summer transfer target Toby AIderwireld put an impressive performance.
Things might have been different if he was in United’s back line.
What is United’s Best Defence?
You get the feeling that Mourinho no longer trusts any of his centre backs.
Both Bailly and Lindelof were really poor against Brighton with Bailly needlessly given away a penalty. Meanwhile Lindelof allowed Glenn Murray to get in front of him to give Brighton the lead.
Bailly is Manchester United’s best centre half and was impressive at times last season.
The jury is still out on Lindelof however. He looks to be a player whose confidence has disappeared.
A under hit back pass almost allowed Dele Ali to score. Also, he was all over the place trying to mark Harry Kane from a corner.
Incredibly both Bailly and Lindelof have played just twice together. It will obviously take time for the partnership to gel.
As for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones both played poorly against Tottenham and didn’t grasp the opportunity to become the first choice centre back pairing.
It wouldn’t be surprising if both left the club next season.
Top Four Finish in Jeopardy
Manchester United’s defence will cost them top four finish. They are already six points behind Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Mourinho has to come up with the solution quickly and hope both Bailly and Lindelof can gel.
If he doesn’t shore up the defence he could well be out of a job by December.
