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"Man Utd Need To..." – Gary Neville Reveals Formation Concern
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- "Man Utd Need To..." – Gary Neville Reveals Formation Concern
Why Carlos Baleba is a GREAT signing for Manchester United !
While Manchester United came out eventual 5-2 winners against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, Michael Carrick's side were troubled by the Tractor Boys, none more so than Julio Enciso .
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The former Brighton attacker looked like Ipswich's biggest threat on Sunday afternoon, with his best chance a counterattack after a United corner kick. Luke Shaw and Bryan Mbeumo could not catch him, instead looking to put pressure on him from behind.
Senne Lammens did well to stand his ground, but United fans can count themselves lucky that Enciso did not make it 2-0.
Enciso's performance for Ipswich Town appears to have caused some concern, likely added to after United chose not to sign a left-back on Deadline Day.
Shaw was at fault for Ipswich's opener. Abdul Fatawu nutmegged him on the right flank, and Shaw had the chance to bring him down, but he left it too late, and Fatawu cleared him before he reached the penalty area.
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Gary Neville offers Man Utd formation change
While many fans saw left-back as the weakest area against Ipswich Town, Gary Neville pointed towards the midfield as a weak point for Manchester United when they were without the ball.
Speaking on The Overlap , he said: "We [ Manchester United ] need more physicality. If you see what Enciso did to United on Sunday, the space he got and the joy he had for an hour, not just him actually, the whole of the actual frontline apart from the boy up front, Ederson...all looked really dangerous.
"United are going to need to solidify that midfield. Baleba, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo could end up playing there in some games."
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That would mean United change to more of a 4-3-3 shape, rather than the 4-2-3-1 system which Michael Carrick has chosen to deploy since he returned to Old Trafford in January.
Roy Keane later spoke on Manchester United's need to add another defender. He claimed that there will always be open space at Old Trafford, so the defence has to be strong.
"That's why your back four need to be solid," he said." But they're not."
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Do Man Utd need more than just a left-back?
After the signing of Carlos Baleba, all attention turned towards a new left-back at Manchester United , but does Michael Carrick's side need more than just a left-sided defender?
Lisandro Martínez 's return to action against Ipswich Town highlighted the benefits of an experienced central defender, but Gary Neville feels two new defenders would have been ideal for Michael Carrick this summer.
"Just to get him [Michael Carrick] two defenders, who are proper defenders, would make a massive difference," Neville said.
"Imagine Shaw and Maguire got injured for three months, as the worst case scenario, you'd be worried to death."
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In that case, Patrick Dorgu or Noussair Mazraoui would be forced to cover at left-back, with Harry Amass also pushing for a place, while Leny Yoro would likely start alongside Martínez in central defence.
Manchester United were not linked with many central defenders during the summer transfer window, with that likely to be the focus next summer.
Martínez, Shaw, and Maguire's contracts expires next summer, so they will have to impress this season to earn a new deal.
