Former West Bromwich Albion manager, Sam Allardyce, has revealed what Manchester United need to do to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Allardyce who managed Super Eagles icon, Austin Jay Jay Okocha at Bolton Wanderers made this known while revealing the underperforming Red Devils’ biggest problem this season.
Addressing the interim manager, Ralf Rangnick, Big Sam revealed that United who have squandered four valuable points against Burnley and Southampton recently need to fix the defence issue in his squad.
He noted that it is no rocket science that the club is suffering in defence, adding that David de Gea has made more saves than any other keepers in the Premier League this season.
United are at risk of losing the fourth position to the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham and Allardyce thinks it’s high time they sorted their defensive issues.
“The question is, can Manchester United – with the biggest and probably the most talented squad outside of the top three – come together and produce a run of games where they are not going to throw silly points away,” Allardyce told Ladbrokes.
“Ralf Rangnick is finding it difficult to get the right balance between attack and defence at the minute. I find United’s defending absolutely shocking at the moment.
“David de Gea has made more saves than just about every other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season – that just shows you where Man United’s problems lie.
“As a manager, it’s your responsibility to put that right. If he puts it right, he could pinch that fourth spot – but if nothing changes then they are obviously going to find it difficult.
“I know that traditionally you have got to attack, attack, attack at Man United, but no team can attack without great defensive work.
“It doesn’t matter what position you are in in the table, you can’t underestimate the value of a strong defence. If you want to win the league, you have got to have the best defensive record.
“It’s not rocket science, but nobody wants to talk about it because they perceive it as one of the negative sides of the game when in reality, it’s probably the most important aspect.”
