Gary Neville voiced serious concerns that Manchester United’s tendency to allow goals may not be disappearing any time soon, especially after the club surrendered two goals for the third consecutive match, this time at Everton. The former England defender’s anxiety stems from a pattern that, if left unchecked, could undermine United’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe.
Despite the 2-2 draw – a result that left United with just four points from three games – midfielder Michael Carrick tried to put a positive spin on the start of the campaign, describing it as "not that bad". Carrick highlighted the team’s resilience in clawing back an equaliser in stoppage time, but Neville was quick to point out that a single point does not erase the underlying defensive frailties.
Six goals conceded in three matches is a worrying statistic for any top‑flight side, and Neville believes the current back‑line cannot resolve the issue on its own. He questioned the effectiveness of Carrick’s adjustments, noting that even with the club’s best‑rated defenders on the pitch, United still struggled to keep a clean sheet. "They have a liability of conceding goals and it’s not going away," Neville warned, adding that the problem could continue to haunt the team if not addressed promptly.
Neville also highlighted the timing of the defensive changes made during the Everton game. He asked why Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot were withdrawn with only five minutes remaining, and why manager Erik ten Hag felt compelled to shuffle the back four mid‑match. "You can’t be constantly changing your back four when you don’t have depth behind the first‑choice defenders," he said. "It shows there isn’t much quality on the bench, and that makes it harder to find a stable solution." The decisive moment of the match came when Ainsley Maitland‑Niles, on his debut for Everton, struck a spectacular 25‑yard equaliser in stoppage time.
While Neville praised the quality of the strike, he was equally frustrated by United’s lack of organisation leading up to the goal. He argued that United’s defensive lapses were not merely the result of a single mistake but a broader issue of communication and positioning. "Manchester United are conceding two goals a game – you can’t keep allowing that," Neville asserted.
"The analysis that calls those goals ‘spectacular’ misses the point: it’s the frequency that matters." He singled out the defensive error that led to the Maitland‑Niles goal, describing it as a "massive mistake" caused by a breakdown in coordination. According to Neville, a player he referred to as "Dorgu" (likely a mis‑named reference to a United defender) left his position to press in isolation, leaving a gap that Everton exploited.
The subsequent introduction of Yoro at right‑back, who Neville said "plays so narrow", further exposed the team’s structural issues. Neville stressed that defending away from home requires a disciplined, organized approach, especially when protecting a slim lead. "You have to push up and avoid stupid mistakes," he warned. "United could have stopped the goal at its source if they had been better organised in those final minutes." Reflecting on his own playing days, Neville recalled a period between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar when opponents occasionally believed they could find a way past United at Old Trafford.
He suggested that United’s current defensive frailties have revived that same perception among rival teams. "When teams think they have a real chance to score against you, that’s a horrible place to be," he concluded. Looking ahead, Neville highlighted the looming challenges for United: a high‑stakes clash with Manchester City next week and a European fixture mid‑week.
Both matches will test the squad’s ability to tighten up at the back. He expressed uncertainty about how Carrick will manage the situation, especially given the limited options available in the defensive department. In summary, Neville’s message to United’s coaching staff and supporters is clear: the club must find a sustainable solution to its defensive woes. Whether that means altering the tactical setup, investing in new defensive signings, or simply fostering better communication among the existing players, the goal is to stop the pattern of conceding multiple goals per game.
If United can address these concerns, they may still salvage a season that currently looks precariously balanced between promise and peril.