Man Utd legend Gary Neville says he is “shocked” that his former club have not signed a defender during the summer transfer window.

A move for a left-back was explored, while the Red Devils were also linked with several centre-halves. However, no senior defenders have been signed, and Neville feels that manager Michael Carrick could be left short of options:

“I know they’ve done it in quite a measured fashion: the forward line last year, the midfield this summer, but I do feel that when you go into the Champions League, and you’ve got an uncertain defence in the sense that a couple of them are injury-prone and they’re likely to get injured. I always think pessimistically… I always imagine if you’ve lost two defenders, what are you like, you know what’s your strength in depth like?…”

“So I’ve said quite simply that I think that it would have been sensible to strengthen that back line this summer just with one or two, maybe not the four that is needed, but just one or two to make sure they don’t get left short. So it’s not ideal. I’m shocked that Manchester United haven’t put at least one defender in. It would be perfect if they could find a left-sided centre-back that could play left back, but those players don’t tend to exist as much anymore.”

A move for Hall could be revisited next year

It looks like Director of Football Jason Wilcox did have a new left-back lined up, but their top target was simply not available.

Lewis Hall was reportedly open to making the switch to Old Trafford, but Newcastle made it clear in no uncertain terms that he would not be leaving the Magpies this summer.

Enquiries were made for other players, including Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde,  but it seems as if Wilcox and the recruitment team decided to hold fire, keeping their powder dry before potentially revisiting Hall’s situation in the New Year.

Man Utd do have defensive problems

The calls for reinforcements at the back have got louder after United conceded four goals in their first two Premier League fixtures against newly-promoted teams, Hull City and Ipswich Town.

Carrick will have to find internal solutions to fix the leaky defence, or his team’s chances of competing at the top end of the table will be compromised.

Want more news on Man Utd? Add Man U News as a preferred source on Google