Defence Is Manchester United’s Biggest Area of Concern Ahead of New Season

It is possible that Jose Mourinho has some kind of secret plan to offset the apparent frailties in Manchester United’s defence. Having vastly strengthened his attacking and attacking midfield options, only one new defender has arrived this summer.

And that defender is Eric Bailly. His performance in the Community Shield earned him the Man of the Match award, meaning his picture was displayed on the outside of the stadium as fans filed out of Wembley, no doubt a proud moment.

Winners!? First title as a Red Devil!! ? Thank you for the Man of the Match. ?? This is a very happy day!! ? pic.twitter.com/yAA04KEIFr

— Eric Bailly (@ericbailly24) August 7, 2016

However, it was a slightly generous award, given his was not a performance free from concerns. He made eye-catching and important contributions, certainly, dispossessing Jamie Vardy with a couple of superbly timed tackles, for example.

But there were a couple of pretty rash fouls and rush-of-blood-to-the-head moments, particularly when he lost his boot and launched his knee into a Leicester City player. In truth, in a Premier League game he would have been lucky not to add a second booking to the one he picked up.

His talent looks undeniable, but at just 22 years old it is no surprise that there are some rough edges. Bailly’s ideal central-defensive partner, then, would be a senior, relatively mistake-free leader of a defender.

The kind Chris Smalling cannot yet claim to be.

Good session this morning! ⚽️ @ManUtd #mufc pic.twitter.com/bE7EcgeMIZ

— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) August 5, 2016

After a calender year of excellent form in 2015, the latter part of last season saw some mistakes creep back into his game.

There were moments of uncertainty shared with Daley Blind like the header both men went up for against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane that led to a goal conceded moments later. All in all, the solidity he had offered at the end of 2014/15 and the start of 2015/16 ebbed away.

Which is not to say he cannot get it back, but he has not yet proved himself as the heir-apparent to Nemanja Vidic United need him to be.

Early on in pre-season, Jamie Jackson reported in the Guardian that Smalling and Phil Jones, “have been informed they start the term as the first-choice pairing.”

Perhaps Mourinho has changed his mind, because the two men have not started a single pre-season game together. Smalling picked up a knock, but by the time both Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton and the Community Shield rolled around, it was Blind and Bailly who started at the heart of United’s defence.

Seeing Blind at centre-back at all under Mourinho has come as something of a surprise.

Whereas, say, Pep …

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