Manchester United missed their unsung hero in Crystal Palace loss

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United will target a new centre-back next summer and Dayot Upamecano, Raphael Varane and Kalidou Koulibaly are all on their shortlist, according to reports.The transfer window came to a close earlier this week and United secured four signings on deadline day, though none of them were a centre-back.Calls for the club to strengthen their back-line intensified following last weekend's 6-1 loss to Tottenham, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are still dealing with the aftermath of their embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. That defeat followed a loss at Crystal Palace and a rather unconvincing win against Brighton, leaving United with just three points to their name from the opening three matches of the new Premier League season.

straight to your inboxDefensive communicationWhen even the defender you spend a world-record fee on begins to look like he's falling into the death spiral that is playing in central defence for Manchester United, it might be time to consider the wider issues that are plaguing this side at the back.Harry Maguire might not be the £80million fix to United's defence that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thought he would be, but he was lauded at Leicester City and wanted by Manchester City last summer.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester United defender Patrice Evra said he doesn't think his old club is capable of winning trophies because there are no leaders in the squad.United tackle Jose Mourinho's Tottenham on Saturday afternoon, having endured a slow start to the Premier League season after defeat against Crystal Palace and an unconvincing win over Brighton.

straight to your inboxManchester United fans want to see a partnership of Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly in defence against Tottenham on Sunday.United have had a mixed start to the season, with their opening day 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace being followed up with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brighton.The defending from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side in both games, however, was far from ideal.

straight to your inbox Harry Maguire has missed Manchester United's Carabao Cup tie with Brighton with a knock. Maguire started in United's last 19 matches prior to their Wednesday night trip to Brighton but has sat out his first game since the FA Cup fifth round win at Derby County on March 5.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is likely to rotate his squad for the rematch against the Seagulls, with Dean Henderson, Brandon Williams, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Odion Ighalo all likely to be involved from the start.United don't have any additional injury concerns ahead of the game, with Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe set to miss out once again. First team regular Harry Maguire could also agai from the start on Wednesday night (tonight).

Carabao Cup. If the encounter is anything like Saturday's match then we will be in for a treat, as the 3-2 victory for United was steeped in drama and controversy.

chaotic 3-2 league win over Graham Potter's side in the Premier League.Solskjaer admitted United were still finding their match fitness after a poor performance albeit in a victory on Saturday lunchtime.

straight to your inboxManchester United fans have been responding to Rio Ferdinand's transfer plea. Speaking on BT Sport, the former United defender outlined how he thinks the current centre-back pairing of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire are not up to scratch.

straight to your inboxDavid de GeaBoth of his posts and crossbar were struck by Brighton until he was mischievously beaten by Neal Maupay's penalty. Still hasn't officially saved a penalty since April 2016.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer rhapsodized about Eric Bailly when asked about the possibility of Manchester United moving for a centre-back before deadline day.United are believed to be open to reinforcing at centre half with Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo preparing for possible transfers, Phil Jones injured and Axel Tuanzebe not match-fit.Solskjaer started Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in last week's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and Lindelof was culpable for all three goals.

straight to your inbox Dimitar Berbatov has urged Manchester United to sign a faster centre-back to partner Harry Maguire this summer. United were comfortably beaten 3-1 in their first Premier League outing of the season by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

straight to your inboxOle Gunnar Solskjaer insists Harry Maguire does not need a rest after he started his 18th consecutive match for Manchester United.Maguire was the only survivor from the weekend's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Luton Town, where United started their Carabao Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory.United have eight centre halves in their first-team squad but Phil Jones is injured, Axel Tuanzebe is not match-fit and Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling are not under consideration for