Gary Neville reveals 'big question' facing Michael Carrick at Man Utd

Michael Carrick has concerns over Manchester United’s defence (Picture: Getty Images)

Gary Neville feels Manchester United must answer a big question over their defence before the transfer window closes this week.

The Red Devils beat Ipswich Town 5-2 on Sunday to pick up their first win of the season after their shock 2-0 loss at Hull City on the opening weekend.

The back four has come in for question over those two games, with Michael Carrick picking Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw on Sunday, with Noussair Mazroui and Ayden Heaven starting with Maguire and Shaw against Hull.

Carrick also has the likes of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, when he is fit, available to him, but Neville believes he need to sign at least one more defender this week.

‘If Michael Carrick could get a defender or two in in the next 48 hours, I think it’s really important,’ the former full-back said on The Gary Neville Podcast.

‘Manchester United have rebuilt their attack last season, they’ve rebuilt the midfield this season and it feels like they’re going to wait to rebuild their defence for another 12 months.

‘I don’t know if there are one or two defenders available, but if there are, can you somehow try and advance that money into this window and then spend less next season?

Luke Shaw has come in for criticism after the first two games of the season (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Because it would really make a massive difference if they could get a centre-back and a full-back in.

‘You saw at the end of the game when Dalot and Shaw go off, you’ve got Yoro playing right-back, and you’ve got Mazraoui playing left-back. That’s not ideal at all.

‘One of them is makeshift full-back at best, there’s no lack of willingness for him to play there, but he’s not a full-back. Mazraoui can play left-back, but he’s not the left-back that you want there.’

Neville suggested that Carrick would have to restructure the rest of his team if Manchester United cannot sign new defenders, with Carlos Baleba still to come into the midfield after signing from Brighton.

Gary Neville can only see problems unless Manchester United bring in a defender (Picture: PA Wire)

‘It’s going to be a problem. That is going to be a question for Manchester United this season: how can they stem the flow of goals going into their net?’ Neville asked.

‘They’ve conceded four in the first two matches. That will be Michael Carrick’s concern.

‘So that’s the big question – can Michael Carrick get a defender or two in the next 48 hours? If he can’t, then how does he structure the team?