Gary Neville suggests Erik ten Hag tries “serious” tactical change that benefits SIX players

Gary Neville has suggested that Erik ten Hag try a ‘serious’ tactical change that would benefit six Manchester United players this season.

Manchester United‘s defence has continued to struggle despite signing three new men in the department for Erik ten Hag last summer.

The side brought in Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, and Noussair Mazraoui in an effort to curve the failing defensive efforts at the club that conceded 58 goals in the Premier League alone last campaign.

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Although goalkeeper André Onana has vastly improved his form, the club have continued to leak goals, having conceded 14 goals in their opening ten games.

With this in mind, former United defender and club captain Gary Neville has suggested that Ten Hag tries to change his team’s formation, instead playing three centre-halves across his back line.

“I can’t understand why he has not gone to three at the back,” Neville explained on the latest episode of Stick to Football.

“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.”

Further, Neville explained that all six of United’s central defenders would benefit from this as they would all benefit from a bit more protection, allowing play to the strengths of Lisandro Martínez.

He continued: “There’s six of them there – there’s Yoro, (Victor) Lindelöf, (Harry) Maguire, Martínez, De Ligt, and Jonny Evans.

“My view is that if you look at Martínez – 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.”

Currently, United slot into a back three with the right-back changing to a right centre-back while in possession as Diogo Dalot, operating at left-back, slips into midfield. This creates space out wide for teams to attack Ten Hag’s men once they lose the ball.

Should the side change to a back-three system, this would allow both full-backs to stay wide as wing-backs. Should Dalot slot into a midfield role in defence, the left centre-back could fill in as a left-back in a back four to add protection.

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