Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Jose Mourinho has lost faith in his central defenders and could swap to a back three to compensate for their lack of confidence.
The Red Devils back-line conceded three times against Brighton on Sunday, having also failed to keep a clean sheet against Leicester, and made a number of errors at the Amex.
Although Mourinho bought both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, who have started both games, he made an experience, authoritative centre-back his number one transfer priority over the summer.
However, Ed Woodward failed to deliver in the transfer market, and Neville now expects Mourinho to tinker with his line-up to try and protect his fragile defence.
What weve seen today are two players in Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof who are lacking confidence a little bit, the former right-back explained on The Gary Neville Podcast.
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Or maybe they arent quite good enough. Maybe the answer lies somewhere in between.
On how Mourinho can solve the problem, he continued: I think it will force Manchester United and Jose Mourinho to go three at the back.
I think, with the centre-backs hes got, he will resort to that.
When I look at the centre-back partnerships that he had at Chelsea, they had power and strength in his teams. He hasnt got that here yet.
The Red Devils host Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday night, with Spurs having won both their opening matches against Newcastle and Fulham.
More: Manchester United FC
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Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes Jose Mourinho has lost faith in his central defenders and could swap to a back three to compensate for their lack of confidence.
The Red Devils back-line conceded three times against Brighton on Sunday, having also failed to keep a clean sheet against Leicester, and made a number of errors at the Amex.
Although Mourinho bought both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, who have started both games, he made an experience, authoritative centre-back his number one transfer priority over the summer.
However, Ed Woodward failed to deliver in the transfer market, and Neville now expects Mourinho to tinker with his line-up to try and protect his fragile defence.
What weve seen today are two players in Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof who are lacking confidence a little bit, the former right-back explained on The Gary Neville Podcast.
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More: Football
Or maybe they arent quite good enough. Maybe the answer lies somewhere in between.
On how Mourinho can solve the problem, he continued: I think it will force Manchester United and Jose Mourinho to go three at the back.
I think, with the centre-backs hes got, he will resort to that.
When I look at the centre-back partnerships that he had at Chelsea, they had power and strength in his teams. He hasnt got that here yet.
The Red Devils host Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday night, with Spurs having won both their opening matches against Newcastle and Fulham.
More: Manchester United FC
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