Three of Manchester United's first choice back four are over the age of 31. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra are still proving to be a big part of United's defence this season under David Moyes despite all being shadows of their former selves. With a combined age of 98, is it really any coincidence that together, they have marshalled a backline this season that has conceded more goals (12) than any side currently in the top 10? Of the sides currently above the relegation zone, only Newcastle in 11th place have let in more goals (16) than the defending champions this season. Title defences are built from the back as much as they are from the forward line and the Red Devils just can't seem to keep a clean sheet these days - they haven't kept a shut-out in the league since September 14, a run of five matches. It's perhaps little wonder then that Moyes tried to bring in defensive reinforcements over the summer in Leighton Baines and even Fabio Coentrao, which brings us to...
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
