Gary Neville expressed serious concern that Manchester United’s tendency to allow too many goals may not be a temporary blip but a deeper problem that could linger well into the season. His worries were sparked after United surrendered two goals in the third consecutive league match, this time at Everton, resulting in a 2‑2 draw that left the club with just four points from three games. Despite the disappointment, midfielder‑turned‑manager Michael Carrick tried to put a positive spin on the performance, insisting that United’s start to the campaign was "not that bad" even though the late equaliser from Everton forced a point.
Carrick’s optimism, however, did little to soothe Neville’s anxiety, especially given that United have now let in six goals across three matches – a figure that Neville described as "a big worry" and one that he feels the current defensive personnel cannot easily rectify. Neville highlighted the mounting pressure on United as they prepare for a high‑stakes showdown with Manchester City next week and a mid‑week European fixture.
"It puts a bit of pressure on Manchester United as they have Man City next week and a European game in midweek," he said, underscoring the tight schedule and the need for a solid defensive foundation. He added that Carrick is trying to earn the trust of both the squad and the supporters by replicating the defensive resilience he displayed last season, but Neville remains skeptical. "That game should have been won today.
Everton weren’t at it in the first half. They let Everton back into the game," he observed, pointing to a lapse in concentration that allowed the visitors to claw back into contention.
According to Neville, United’s "liability of conceding goals" is not something that will simply disappear on its own. "It’s my fear that conceding goals will hunt them and chase them down the road," he warned, suggesting that the defensive frailties could become a chronic issue that undermines the team’s ambitions. He questioned Carrick’s ability to address the problem, noting that the manager already has his best back‑four on the pitch yet still feels compelled to make changes late in the game.
"Why did Shaw and Dalot go off with five minutes to go? Ruben Amorin and Erik ten Hag changed their back four too," Neville asked rhetorically. "You can’t be changing your back four.
There’s not much behind the first choice. So you can’t change it." The match’s dramatic climax came from Everton’s Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, who, on his debut for the Toffees, struck a spectacular 25‑yard equaliser in stoppage time.
While Neville praised the quality of the strike, he also lamented United’s lack of organization in the moments leading up to the goal. "Manchester United are conceding two goals a game, you can’t concede two goals a game," he asserted, emphasizing that the defensive lapses were not isolated incidents but a pattern that needed urgent correction.
Neville dissected the build‑up to the equaliser, blaming a mis‑communication between United’s defenders. He cited a specific error involving forward‑pressing defender Dorgu, whose isolated pressure allowed the ball to be played through a gap, culminating in the goal. "It’s a massive mistake, a lack of communication," he said. He also noted the tactical shuffle that saw Yoro introduced at right‑back, describing his narrow positioning as symptomatic of deeper structural issues.
"Yoro coming on at right‑back highlights the problem – he plays so narrow," Neville observed. The former defender stressed that away games demand heightened focus and disciplined positioning, especially when protecting a slim lead. "When you’re playing away holding onto a result, you have to push up and don’t do stupid things.
They could have stopped the goal at source," he argued, recalling how he shouted in frustration as the goal unfolded. Neville also reflected on his own playing days, recalling an era between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar when opponents occasionally believed they could break through United’s defense at Old Trafford.
"Teams thought they had a chance against us, and we weren’t quite good enough defensively. That’s a horrible place to be," he concluded, underscoring the psychological impact of a porous back line.
In summary, Neville’s analysis paints a picture of a United side that, despite possessing talented individuals, is hampered by inconsistent defensive organization, ill‑timed substitutions, and a lack of clear communication among the back‑four. With crucial fixtures looming, the onus falls on Carrick to tighten the defensive unit, restore confidence, and ensure that the goal‑conceding habit does not become a defining characteristic of the season.