Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has only had one summer transfer window in charge of Manchester United, but he immediately got to work on improving his defence.
Despite Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku heading to Inter Milan, along with Ander Hererra joining PSG the only inbound forward-thinking player was Daniel James. However, as Jose Mourinho had insisted, one area they vitally required investment was at the back, and they spent an enormous amount on two homegrown talents. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was brought in from Crystal Palace for £50 million, while Harry Maguire was signed from Leicester City for a world record £80m fee.
With other gaps to fill in midfield and a lack of depth in attack, are Solskjaer’s defensive headaches finally over?
Manchester United’s backline has boasted one of the world’s most consistent goalkeepers since David De Gea arrived in 2011. Since signing a new contract in July and becoming the best-paid goalkeeper in the world, thus putting any speculation of a move to rest, he will be integral to any future success.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is guilty of slightly underperforming in his opening season at Old Trafford. He has only aided in keeping two clean sheets in his opening 11 Premier League performances for the Red Devils. However, the right-back has made an average of five tackles per game. He is also yet to add to his three assists with Crystal Palace last term, but the transition to the ‘big six’ is a steep one, and at 22 he still has plenty of time to develop.
Meanwhile, new signing Harry Maguire has also stalled slightly in his adaptation to life in Manchester. The number of tackles he has made so far this season is particularly low with just eight, but 20 interceptions show his positioning to be more astute. While his defending has left something to be desired, the centre back has made over 61 passes per game and Is vital in starting attacks from deep.
Ever since his arrival from Benfica, there have been questions over Victor Lindelof’s ability at the elite level, and many are yet to be convinced. Like Maguire, he has made a high number of passes, but his defensive contribution has been particularly woeful with just nine tackles and interceptions, while United shipped 14 goals. Especially considering Chris Smalling’s reinvention in Rome, Lindelof should be particularly wary of losing his place next season.
Last season Luke Shaw made the left-back spot his own. After years of being berated by Jose Mourinho it appeared, he finally realised his potential following a horrific injury. This season has been slightly more stuttering due to a hamstring injury, but the English left-back seems ready to fight for his spot at United while Diogo Dalot waits in the wings.
With problems in midfield concerning depth, ability and where Paul Pogba’s interests lie, as well as a lack of alternatives to Marcus Rashford upfront, Solskjaer’s defensive issues, should be over, at least for now. But the Norwegian could look to bolster his side’s defensive depth if United are set on challenging towards the upper echelons of the Premier League table.
