3. Settled back four
Manchester United’s best defence of recent seasons was when Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were at their prime, with the Red Devils near impregnable with the centre back pairing and Edwin Van Der Sar behind them.
The goalkeeper position is resolved, with David De Gea settling in to the number one jersey, but Ferdinand and Vidic are now 35 and 32 respectively, and it is time to bring through their replacements – as well as give them consistent playing time.
Jonny Evans has been understudy for long enough, and has been impressively solid for a good few years. If Phil Jones is to become a top class centre back in the long term, play him there. Jones and Smalling might be decent players at right back, but deserve runs in the team at centre half for the team’s long term benefit.
David Moyes has been handed a six year contract as Manchester United manager. So long as he keeps the team on an even keel, he has the opportunity to build for the future.
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