Manchester United’s defence has unexpectedly turned into an area of concern.
United have let in six goals in only three matches this season and have kept just three clean sheets across their last 14 games. Put simply, their defensive record has been underwhelming.
The attack is still delivering, but those efforts are being undermined by a backline that continues to concede too easily.
What makes it even more frustrating is that the defence United have used in the last two matches is the same one Erik ten Hag left behind.
If neither Ten Hag nor Ruben Amorim were able to win anything with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, it naturally raises the question of why Michael Carrick expects things to turn out differently.
For that reason, the time has come for United to rethink their back four, and club great Rio Ferdinand has already made clear one selection call he believes Carrick has to make.
Ferdinand wants either Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven to be trusted as a regular first-choice starter.
Explaining his view, and making a particularly strong case for Heaven, he said:
“Yoro, I thought he would be a bit further ahead than he is now; he’s taken a little bit longer to push up that ceiling and fulfil that potential. I think it’s still going to come, but I think it’s been slower than anticipated, 100%.
“Heaven, I think he could play now, but the manager’s making a choice and decision, and he wants to go with what he’s got. But I would always have one of those two in the backline just for pace at this level, 100%.”
With their pace, mobility and technical quality, both players clearly deserve serious consideration, and Heaven especially showed that during pre-season.
Even so, it is unfortunate that Carrick seems hesitant to put his faith in him, having repeatedly passed over his case for a place in the starting XI.
Hopefully, despite an unconvincing display against Hull City, he will still get an opportunity.
As for Yoro, his progress has not unfolded entirely as expected. He is now being tested at right-back, and it remains unclear whether that move will help bring out his full potential.
Ultimately, if Yoro and Heaven are meant to form the future of United’s defence, then both of them need to be entrusted with an important role.
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