3. United’s inexperience at the back on display
When your side’s best midfielder is having to do a job in central defense, you know you have some problems. And when that midfielder is your side’s best defender, you know something is wrong. Michael Carrick’s ability to sense danger and sniff out attacks has been a big reason why he has been so effective at center back, but unfortunately for United, none of the other center backs are half as good,with or without the ball.
When Carrick moved into midfield and Tyler Blackett came on in the second half, although it improved the attack, it massively hampered the defense. The lack of a leader meant that the trio of Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Blackett had no safety net to fall back on. All of three of them looked as though they have a mistake in them, every time they go forward with the ball and therein lies the problem for United. Not only does Van Gaal not have enough fit center backs, even the ones that are fit aren’t very good and Benteke took full advantage of that as he scored the opener after easily beating Evans. Whether it was giving away silly free kicks in dangerous positions or losing the ball while going forward, the defense looked brittle and that is something the Dutchman has to correct, if his side are to have any chance of finishing in the top four, let alone challenge for the title.
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