Manchester Utd's Defensive 'Hall of Shame'

#10 Tyler Blackett

 

Drafted in during the early days of Louis van Gaal's tenure amid a defensive injury crisis, Blackett was soon found to be out of his depth at the highest level, at both centre-back and left-back.

 

Sent out on loan to Celtic in a bid to gain more experience, he only made three appearances for the Bhoys before being sold to Reading in 2016.

#9 Paddy McNair

 

Another who broke into the side during Van Gaal's first season, McNair's early performances saw him earn a call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.

 

However, he soon began to struggle and fell down the pecking order, eventually leaving in 2016 to join Sunderland, where he was last seen playing as a No.10!

 

#8 Victor Lindelof

 

Signed for £30.75 million from Benfica in the summer of 2017, Lindelof has barely been seen since arriving at Old Trafford, with the Sweden international having struggled to adapt under Jose Mourinho.

 

#7 Jonny Evans

 

Evans remained at the Theatre of Dreams for one season following the departure of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic but, after an injury-hit campaign, he left for West Brom.

 

Needless to say, with Manchester City and Arsenal keen on signing him, it might have been better for United to keep hold of the Northern Ireland international.

 

#6 Daley Blind

 

Though primarily signed as a left-back from Ajax in the summer of 2015, the Netherlands international has been deployed at centre-back at times by various managers.

 

Though his lack of pace or physical presence puts him at a disadvantage, he has rarely disgraced himself, though that has not stopped him from being slowly phased out under Jose Mourinho.

#5 Chris Smalling

 

Smalling proved to be one of the brightest lights during David Moyes' doomed tenure, and his consistent performances thereafter saw him become first choice for both club and country.

 

However, under Mourinho his levels have dropped considerably and it now seems as if he will miss out on making the England World Cup squad this summer.

 

#4 Timothy Fosu-Mensah

 

Despite not having been consistently deployed at centre-back during his handuful of appearances for United thus far, Fosu-Mensah has already shown that he could be a long-term success at Old Trafford with his physical style of defending.

 

Currently excelling on loan at Crystal Palace, it would not be a shock to see Mourinho keep hold of him for next season.

 

#3 Marcos Rojo

 

Has suffered with disciplinary issues during his time with the Red Devils, but the Argentina international has certainly improved since his arrival in 2014.

 

Many felt his best position was at left-back when he first joined from Sporting, but has managed to turn himself into a respectable enough centre-back.

 

#2 Phil Jones

 

Is Phil Jones really good or really bad?!

 

Tipped to be England's next great centre-back by Sir Alex Ferguson upon his arrival from Blackburn Rovers, after a tough few years Jones looked to be finally fulfilling his potential with some fine peformances in the first half of the season.

 

All that has now been forgotten after a series of laughable displays, though a more reliable partner may help him in progressing further.

 

#1 Eric Bailly

 

One of the most underrated centre-backs currently plying their trade in the Premier League, some of Bailly's performances during the second half of last season were bordering on sensational.

 

Injuries have hampered his progress during his first 18 months at Old Trafford but if he can remain fit, he is surely the man that United can build their future defence around.