Could Manchester United’s defence cost them this season?

As I looked at the team sheets of Everton and Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime, I thought we have a real chance of beating the Champions today.

It’s not often an Everton fan has that as a realistic thought against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. The reason for my optimism was looking at the creaking United defence.

Poor

Everybody watching the game realised that the United defence looked shaky. With Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the heart of the defence they look secure.

However with stand-ins Wes Brown and Jonny Evans the United fans must be nervous every time the opponents get anywhere near their goal. Even veteran right-back Gary Neville is starting to look his age.

I have never been a big fan of Wes Brown and the last few games he’s not done much to change my opinion. I can’t believe Sir Alex Ferguson was championing his cause for a place in the England squad. Maybe it’s just the wily old Scot trying to boost his crumbling confidence.

Rollicking

His central defensive partner in recent weeks Jonny Evans has been simply awful in the last two games. He received a right rollicking from Fergie in Milan and he deserved it. In the first half against AC Milan United could have lost the tie, that’s how badly they played.

After the game in his post match interview Wayne Rooney even admitted that he gave a few of his teammates a few home truths at half-time. I’m only guessing that the young Irish defender was one of those chastised.

Young

I say young Evans is 22 but has a lot of experience already for Manchester United. Everybody keeps saying that he will mature into a great defender, but I’m not so sure. He needs to improve his positioning and with the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand to learn from, he should be able to do that. However I’m not convinced he will ever be good enough to be a first choice central defender with United. He has to learn fast at United or he won’t be there long.

Trouble

If United continued to be without their first choice central-defensive partnership they could be in trouble. Any decent side will realise that that’s the weak spot in the United side and target that weakness. It’s a good job for Brown and Evans that the likes of Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick work so hard in front of them. However against Everton, they allowed Everton’s industrious midfielders too much space and they took advantage.

Returns

Good news for United is that both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand could available again for Tuesday’s home clash with West Ham. Vidic just missed out on a starting place against Everton and Ferdinand was serving the last game of a four match ban.

Although the pair have endured difficult seasons they are still better options than the previously mentioned partnership. Vidic has struggled with constant rumours of a move away from Old Trafford and Ferdinand has struggled with form and fitness issues. They now have to get back to their solid best in order for United to be successful.

Injuries

United have suffered some bad luck with injuries to defenders, with both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand suffering injuries throughout the season. Versatile John O’Shea has also been struggling for fitness. At one point I think United had Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher in the heart of the defence. However the injury list is a bit shorter now and Sir Alex has far more options available to him.

Changed

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a back four of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael on Tuesday. That defence would give me more confidence, if I was a fan of United. I know Rafael isn’t the best defender in the world but with United at home and expecting to attack, his ability to raid forward as well as defend could prove vital.

Gary Neville just hasn’t got the legs to raid up and down like he used to and Rafael is another good option. I expect United to defeat West Ham at Old Trafford on Tuesday night and the Red Devils to be far more solid and resolute in defence.