Plastering the cracks: 5 things United could do to stop leaking goals

The new season brought for United quite a few challenges. The most obvious one, the starting line-up and shape of attack, has been temporarily sidelined due to the injury to Rooney, thereby making space for Robin van Persie, and Shinji Kagawa to effectively play in their preferred positions. The fears of an extended mid-field crisis have been kept at bay quite successfully by the performances of Cleverley, Ando, and Scholes. In fact, midfield seems fairly secure for the time-being, form and fitness being kind. Yet, United have only managed to score single-margin victories in their last two games, having lost the first one at Goodison Park.

The reason a team which has scored six goals in two matches wins narrowly is quite obvious – an indifferent defense. A defense, which just a season or two ago used to be so miserly that opposition teams would often pitch camp if they managed to score first and try to keep the United attack at bay for the rest of the game, since scoring twice against United was nigh impossible. Admittedly, Edwin Van der Sar is now retired, and the Premier League has been blown wide open with the richness of talent that has filled the teams, leaving very little margin between the top and the bottom placed clubs. But it is unfathomable that a club which used to concede less than 30 goals a season is now on course to concede 63 goals this season, if the average continues, however unlikely that may be.

However, this weakness at the back, which seems to be the most unsettling problem at United has to do with more than just those factors. It has to do with the defenders, and one defender in particular; Patrice Evra. It has also to do with the midfield players, who sometimes fail to provide cover to the full-backs, and a few other factors. Of course, players returning from injuries might make all the difference, but in the meanwhile, here’s a look at 5 things Manchester United could do to make sure that this defense holds strong.

1) Tell Patrice Evra he is a left-back.

This may seem fairly obvious, with him having done the job for virtually his entire career. However, of late, Evra seems to often forget that he is not a left wing player, often finding himself farther up the pitch than Ashley Young, or a central defender, often squeezing in too tight allowing the balls to come into the box from the wing. Evra’s horrid positioning of late has caused more than one defensive problems, pulling the entire squad out of shape on a few occasions. Over the past three games, we’ve seen Young, Scholes, Carrick, and Vidic cover for him on numerous occasions, thereby moving out of their positions and causing all sorts of problems. It’s about time Fergie drags the Frenchman aside and tells him to get his act together, at least on the pitch.

2) Tell Rio Ferdinand he’s getting too old for this.

Well, maybe not entirely true, but there has been a gradual decrease in the level of defending that Ferdinand brings to the game. The scorching pace of old has now been replaced with speeding fines, and driving bans, not to even get started about the twitter obsession. The assured distribution of the ball has all but left, and that old back just doesn’t seem to stay in place. Thus, while Ferdinand has made enormous strides in technical ability, and tactical acumen, it seems like things are looking downhill from here, and the sooner someone tells him this, the better. While his play may not be bad, he will be among the first to realize that the pace of the Premier League is no joke, and that he is perhaps on his way down the pecking order.

3) Place some faith in Jonny.

Contrary to popular notion, Jonny Evans was quite definitely one of United’s best defenders last season. Yes, there was that ugly blip of the derby defeat to City, in which he played no small part, but games like those were the exception, and not the norm. In fact Evans certainly had a good second half last season, and quite a few were surprised whenever he was overlooked for a game near the end of the season. As it happens, he has just returned to fitness for this season, and should be available to play the game against Wigan. Based on the pacy Franco di Santo’s presence, it wouldn’t be unwise to suggest that Evans start the game ahead of Ferdinand, at least until Smalling returns to full fitness.

4) Chris Smalling: Play him whenever you can, wherever you can.

Perhaps the most mature of United’s new batch of defenders, Smalling has had a significant impact on the number of goals conceded when he’s played whether at right-back, or at centre-back. He is expected to be back in action in two weeks, and unless Jonny Evans (or Rio Ferdinand) plays extremely well for the next three games, the Old Trafford faithful would definitely love to see him take up a regular spot in the first team. Smalling’s height is a terrific bonus that United’s defense desperately need, especially considering how Marouane Fellaini, and Ricky Lambert dominated United in the air.

5) Give Alexander Buttner as many opportunities as possible.

The newly acquired Dutch left-back is intense on the pitch, has pace to burn, and seems well aware that he is neither a centre-back or a left-winger, judging by his first game for the reserves. While it would perhaps be wrong to say that Evra’s days at United are numbered, and Buttner will take over his role, it will definitely be interesting to see how Buttner develops if he is given regular first team chances at least in cup ties. This should help keep Evra, who probably sees Michael Keane as at least one or two years away from challenging him, on his toes and put in some better performances.

Phil Jones was another of United’s best defensive performers last season. Unfortunately however, his recent knock puts him out of action for a further 8 weeks, and it would be futile to discuss his stationing at right-back, instead of Rafael. That being said, Rafael has put in good performances in the first 3 games of the season, except for that mistake against Soton and should definitely retain his spot for now. David De gea has failed to assert his dominance in the box, especially at set-pieces. However, it is no secret that Sir Alex is having him work on his upper body strength, and in time, we should see much better handling from De gea. For now, all we can hope is that Mr. Evra, well, gets his hair blown by Fergie, and sticks to his duties much much better.