[ad_1]
Manchester United endured a devastating weekend as they suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, raising many questions about the club’s defensive options.
Much was made of United’s expensive bottom line and how it once again fell apart when Spurs systematically broke in two costing £ 200 million in transfer fees. And that’s without taking into account the large amount of money David de Gea has been given in contract renewals in recent years to keep him between clubs at Old Trafford.
Featured
- Solskjaer’s future must be in doubt European kit power rankings: Which UCL giant, UEL is more stylish? The staggering numbers that should have won Lewandowski the Ballon d’Or.
2 Related
Indeed, since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in May 2013, United have come out and spent a total of £ 375.3 million on defenders, with little improvement to show for it.
After executing the rule on Manchester City’s defensive draft under Pep Guardiola last week in the wake of their 5-2 loss to Leicester City, it seems right to shift the scrutiny to Old Trafford.
Here’s a look at the value United got for its money. All rates are according to transfermarkt.
– Stream ESPN FC daily on ESPN + (US only)
– Don’t have ESPN? Get instant access
– Internet asks Manchester United, Liverpool: What the heck?
Harry Maguire (£ 78.3 million from Leicester City, 2019) Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were unable to clear the ball when Manchester United conceded a dire draw against Tottenham. Getty
The most expensive defender in the world without any, Maguire has come under fire in recent weeks after a series of error-ridden performances. He may be the captain of United, but he hardly leads by example. A little less “slab head” is required; a little more finesse.
Classification: Miss
– United standings: Maguire 2/10 in dreadful United defeat
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£ 49.5 million from Crystal Palace, 2019)
United were crying out for a reliable right-back after the departure of Antonio Valencia and that is exactly what they got at Wan-Bissaka, although they had to pay a lot of money to get it. Generally solid at the rear, although his reputation as a winger who is tough to beat in one-on-one situations took a hit on Sunday when he was sent off the game for an inside cut from Spurs left back Ben Davies. . .
Classification: Hit
Eric Bailly (£ 34.2m from Villarreal, 2016)
Defensively solid and reassuringly comfortable on the ball when needed, Bailly would certainly have been praised as one of United’s most impressive defensive success stories had his time at the club not been plagued by near-constant injury problems.
Classification: Hit (when it fits)
– Ogden: United signings after Fergie: the good, the bad, the ugly
– Predict results in English Soccer Pick ‘Em! From ESPN
Luke Shaw (£ 33.75 million from Southampton, 2014)
He fought with managers Louis van Gaal and, in particular, with José Mourinho, who used to release Shaw for public flogging. Despite myriad problems with form and fitness, the 25-year-old has worked to become United’s first-choice left-back, although that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s won over the skeptics yet.
Classification: Miss
Victor Lindelof (£ 31.5 million from Benfica, 2017) Victor Lindelof was to blame for two of the goals in which Manchester United lost their first game of the season to Crystal Palace. Getty
The Swedish international is confident on the ball and positionally very skilled, but he often fights fast and agile opponents and aerial bombardments. If United must invest heavily in another center-back, Lindelof is likely to be above the requirements.
Classification: Miss
Diogo Dalot (£ 19.8m from Porto, 2018) TRANSFERS
• How the summer transfer market works
• Kuper: impact of the coronavirus on transfers
• Barnwell’s best moves: 100-51 | 50-1
• The best declaration firms in history
• Summer transfer qualifications
• Last completed important transfers
Dalot was signed by Mourinho, who proclaimed the 19-year-old the “best young winger in Europe” upon arrival. However, the Portuguese Under-21 international has not made any substantial progress at United and has turned to AC Milan in search of first-team football.
Classification: Miss
Marcos Rojo (£ 18m from Sporting Lisbon, 2014)
A chaotic presence at best, the rudimentary nuisance defense brand in red failed to convince three different United managers of its reliability. The Argentine international calmly returned home to join Estudiantes on loan in January and is unlikely to play at Old Trafford again.
Classification: Miss
Matteo Darmian (£ 16.2 million from Turin, 2015)
Darmian made more than 50 appearances for United, but we have a hard time remembering just one of them. With a ghostly presence at Old Trafford for several years, the lanky Italy international made just seven appearances during the 2018-19 campaign before heading out the back door to join Parma. The 30-year-old has joined Antonio Conte’s Old Trafford fringe gang at Inter Milan this season on a season-long loan.
Classification: Miss
Daley Blind (£ 15.75 million from Ajax, 2014)
The most modest signing on the list and yet still one of United’s shrewdest defensive investments, Blind was first deployed as a defensive midfielder by Van Gaal, but his versatility and clever reading of the game allowed him to provide coverage. regular and reliable in the last four. . The Dutch international returned to childhood club Ajax in 2018.
Classification: Hit
Source: espn.co.uk
[ad_2]
