Gary Neville has voiced growing concerns that Manchester United’s tendency to surrender goals is unlikely to disappear any time soon, especially after the team allowed two goals for the third consecutive match, this time at Everton. The former defender’s remarks highlight a deeper anxiety about the club’s defensive frailties, which have become a recurring theme early in the season.
Despite the 2-2 draw, which left United with only four points from three games, midfielder Michael Carrick attempted to downplay the situation, describing the team’s start as "not that bad". Carrick pointed out that the late equaliser from Everton, scored in injury time, was an unfortunate twist but not necessarily indicative of a systemic problem. However, Neville’s perspective diverges sharply; he argues that conceding six goals across three fixtures is a serious alarm bell that cannot be ignored. Neville explained that the timing of the next fixtures only intensifies the pressure.
"Manchester United face Manchester City next week and a European tie in the middle of the week," he said. "That kind of schedule leaves very little room for error, particularly at the back." He continued, "Michael Carrick is trying to build trust with the squad and the supporters, hoping to replicate the defensive solidity we saw last season. But the reality on the pitch tells a different story.
The Everton match should have been a win. They were outplayed in the first half, yet we allowed them back into the game and eventually into a draw." Neville’s core fear is that United’s defensive liability is entrenched. "They have a habit of conceding goals and it isn’t going away," he warned. "That habit will haunt them and chase them down the road.
I’m not convinced Carrick knows how to fix it with the players he currently has at his disposal." He questioned tactical decisions made in the closing stages of the Everton game, noting that both Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot were substituted with just five minutes remaining, while Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag also altered the back‑four configuration. "You can’t keep tinkering with your defensive line when you lack depth behind your first‑choice defenders," Neville argued. "There isn’t much quality on the bench, so constant changes only expose the team’s weaknesses." The decisive moment of the match came from Everton’s Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, who, on his debut for the Toffees, struck a stunning equaliser from about 25 yards out in stoppage time. While Neville praised the quality of the strike, he expressed frustration at United’s disorganisation leading up to the goal.
"Manchester United are conceding two goals a game – you can’t sustain that," he said. "The analysis that these were two spectacular goals misses the bigger picture: we allowed them." Neville also highlighted a specific defensive lapse involving United’s right‑back, noting that "Dorgu, for some reason, chased out and pressed in isolation.
The ball was played past him – a massive mistake, a clear lack of communication." He pointed out that the substitution of Aaron Wan‑Bissaka’s replacement, Yoro, at right‑back further exposed the problem, describing his play as "so narrow" and unsuitable for the demands of the position. "A lot happens before the ball hits the net. When you’re playing away and trying to protect a result, you must push up and avoid stupid errors. United could have stopped that goal at its source," Neville asserted, recalling how he shouted in disbelief as the goal unfolded.
Reflecting on his own playing days, Neville drew a parallel with the period between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar, when United’s defensive reputation was so formidable that opponents felt they had little chance of scoring at Old Trafford. "Now teams believe they can find a way through us.
That feeling is terrible for a club of United’s stature," he said. Neville’s comments underline a broader narrative that the current United back‑line, despite featuring experienced players, lacks cohesion and depth. The recurring pattern of conceding multiple goals per match suggests systemic issues that go beyond individual mistakes. Whether Carrick can adjust tactics, reinforce the defensive unit in the transfer market, or instill greater discipline remains an open question.
As the season progresses, United’s upcoming clash with Manchester City and a midweek European fixture will serve as a litmus test for the manager’s ability to tighten the defence. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if the Red Devils can reverse this worrying trend or if Neville’s fears will be realised on a larger stage. In the meantime, the club continues to engage supporters with promotions such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million, but the on‑field concerns remain paramount for those hoping United can reclaim their traditional defensive solidity.