Manchester United Has to Improve Defensively If They Are to Win the League

Okay, maybe it's a little early to start putting a damper on that all-too-familiar style of victory at St Mary's Sunday against Southampton, but let's face it—for the majority of the match, Manchester United looked like the weaker side at the back.

With the addition of Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie to the United fray, things always were going to be relatively sound in regards to going forward this season. That was emphasised by some crisp counterattacking (a Manchester United specialty, of course) and solid finishing from United's possible new cult hero, van Persie.

Despite missing a penalty, van Persie managed to bag all three of the Red Devils' goals, two in injury time to ensure that all three points went the way of the visitors.

However, despite the long-awaited return of one of United's regular centre-backs—United favourite Rio Ferdinand, no less—things still looked far from assured at the back for Fergie's men.

A few seasons ago Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were all integral cogs in the team that saw Edwin van der Sar go 1,311 consecutive minutes of football without conceding a goal. That United side let in just 24 goals that entire season, striking fear into the attacks of Premier and Champions League teams alike.

However, after just three games of this year's campaign, United already have leaked five goals to teams who are more than likely not going to challenge for anywhere inside the top six places of the table this season.

Both of Southampton's goals Sunday came as a result of extremely sloppy defending from both of Man United's wing-backs, Rafael da Silva and Evra. In both instances the defenders easily were out-muscled off the ball, only to have Saints attackers Rickie Lambert and Morgan Schneiderlin slot an easy header past Anders Lindegaard in the away side's net.

Even the usually efficient combination of Vidic and Ferdinand was barely able to cope with the wily Southampton forwards, who made the seasoned Premier League pros look like they had never kicked a ball in the division before.

Let's face it—the United back-line is aging rapidly, and the lack of action on deadline day to bring in a reserve centre-back to provide cover for either of United's old boys was perhaps an oversight on Fergie's part.

In truth, the return of Phil Jones at right-back should eliminate a lot of the problems for Sir Alex.

Rafael is terrific when running at the opposition's defence with a ball at his feet, but remember that he is primarily in the side as a defensive player, not an offensive one.

Jones provides the perfect balance of defensive ability and attacking prowess, whilst all the while having the positional awareness to ensure that his colleagues at the back aren't left exposed.

The recent signing of the heavily touted Alexander Buttner also could solve the dilemma of the ever-worsening Evra who, despite a lot of good years for the club, now seems to be on his last legs with United.

Buttner was expected to be a player for the future, but the poor showings from the Frenchman so far at left-back may mean that his role in the side comes much sooner than many would have believed.

There are key issues that need to be addressed in the United defence within the next few weeks before more points are lost against sides where they shouldn't be. Van Persie and Co. will not always be there to bail their teammates out.

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