4 Reasons Why Man Utd's Win Against Olympiakos Is Still Papering Over The Cracks

3. Defensive Frailties

It is not uncontroversial to say that United's defence has been unconvincing this season. Moyes has been unable to find a settled pairing, through a combination of injuries and simply not knowing what the best pairing is. They have only kept 10 clean sheets in the Premier League all season. Chris Smalling hasn't quite lived up to the hype which so many young English players are afforded, Johnny Evans has been plagued by injuries, and Rio Ferdinand is a Rolls Royce with miles on the clock that needs to spend more time in the garage. Patrice Evra has weighed in with a a goal and 3 assists in the Premier League and always looks a threat going forward, but Olympiakos continually exposed United's left side in the first half especially at Old Trafford. Evra's over exuberance to drive his team forward is admirable, but for a player who regularly wears the United armband he should show more discipline. Over at right back Rafael always seems to be walking a disciplinary tightrope. He is easily provoked and all to keen to get involved in handbags; his fuse is short and opponents know it doesn't take much to ignite it. With the impending departure of Nemanja Vidic, United will also lack a leader at the back. Phil Jones may well take that mantle one day but he needs time, he needs an injury free season playing at the heart of United's defence to truly assert himself. United may well look to dip their toes into the transfer market in the summer, with the highly rated Benfica defender Ezequeil Garay allegedly a target. It appears unlikely that they will sign Leighton Baines after he signed a new deal with Everton, and United have allegedly been rebuffed in an approach for Baines' teammate Seamus Coleman. Whatever United do in the summer they certainly need to rid themselves of defensive frailties if they are to mount a title challenge next season.