Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
Gary Neville admits he's bemused why Erik ten Hag hasn't tested a three-at-the-back formation to attempt to solve Manchester United's torrid run of results. The Dutchman has stuck with a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 throughout his reign at Old Trafford despite mounting pressure to overturn his side's fortunes on the pitch.
United have won just six of their last 20 Premier League games, confirming a record-low finish last season (eighth) and their worst-ever points total after seven matchdays in this one.
In Europe, the Red Devils only have one victory to their name in their last 10 outings stretching back to April 2023.
It resulted in a rock-bottom finish in their Champions League group last term behind Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
So it's no wonder Ten Hag's position is under intense scrutiny. Club chiefs discussed the 54-year-old's future at a long-standing summit in London on Tuesday but have decided to back him for now.
Neville has suggested a change of formation to try and spark an improvement in his players, claiming he's surprised it hasn't been trialled yet.
"I can't understand why he has not gone to three at the back," Neville explained on The Overlap.
"Seriously, if ever there was a team where you didn't have a pair of centre-halves who could play together, then it's that group.
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"There's six of them there – there's Yoro, Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, De Ligt and Jonny Evans.
"My view is that if you look at Martinez – he's perfect for a left centre-back in a three. Harry has played in a three many, many times in his career.
"De Ligt is someone who I think needs other people around him. I said at the start of the season – if ever there was a team that looked like [would suit a back three], it's United."
In Ten Hag's current system, in possession, Diogo Dalot enters the midfield from right-back while Noussair Mazraoui and the two centre-backs make a back three.
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Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have struggled to form a strong partnership in the early stages of the season. Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans outshone both in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa last Sunday.
At the conclusion of the international break, a revised United defence could look like De Ligt and Martinez on either side of Evans or Victor Lindelof.
However, Mazraoui's impending absence after undergoing a minor procedure, having experienced palpitations, will temporarily limit Ten Hag's options further.
Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
Gary Neville left baffled and urges drastic Man Utd change as five players called out
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