Man United 2-2 Tottenham: Defense in a critical state, 6 goals in 3 matches.

Matthijs de Ligt's injury-time equalizer saved Manchester United from defeat against Tottenham with a 2-2 draw, but the run of six goals conceded in just three Premier League rounds raises alarm bells about the defensive structure under manager Ruben Amorim.

Key takeaways from the 2-2 draw: a late rescue, a major wake-up call for the defense.

De Ligt's goal in injury time secured a valuable point, but it doesn't mask the reality: Manchester United are lacking solidity in crucial defensive situations. Post-match statistics underscore the problem: an average of two goals conceded per game in the last three rounds. According to current data, only five teams have conceded more goals than Manchester United, and all five are in the bottom half of the table – a stark reminder of the risks involved compared to top-four ambitions.

6 goals in 3 Premier League matches: a worrying picture of the defense.

Dead ball: near post and goalkeeper error.

The problem started in the match against Brighton, when Man United conceded two goals from set pieces. The first was a superb free-kick from Danny Welbeck, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens should have done better. The other came from a corner kick combination, and the weakness at the near post was exploited again. When opponents see a "common denominator" in defending set pieces, conceding goals becomes a higher probability than an accident.

Wing switch and far mast clearance

Beyond set pieces, opponents are exploiting a new "crack": stretching the defensive block on the right wing and then quickly switching to the opposite wing to cross towards the far post. Nottingham Forest quickly adopted this tactic; Tottenham repeated it last weekend. A typical example: starting on the right wing, Destiny Udogie passed low into the edge of the penalty area for Mathys Tel to shoot, with Brennan Johnson in a clear position waiting to tap the ball in. When the far post is left unmarked, any missed first shot creates a second chance.

Ruben Amorim's tactics: why the gaps?

The problem largely stems from a structural change. Amorim often pulls the left-sided attacking midfielder deeper to increase the number of players in the midfield, cutting off through passes. But this shift leaves the left wing exposed, forcing the wing-backs to push forward to mark opponents, while the left-sided center-back is drawn out of position. As a result, crosses from the far wing frequently find the gap at the far post – where Lammens' goal is constantly under threat.

Adjustments needed: hold block, lock distant column.

• Wing-backs need to maintain a tighter position, avoid being drawn out of their goal area, and reduce the space available for opponents to cross the ball.
• The central defenders must maintain spatial discipline: avoiding being drawn too far toward the ball and ensuring control of the far post area.
• In set pieces, reinforce the near post by marking more tightly and using a "screen" to prevent opponents from making runs across the face of goal.

The attack is looking promising, but the defense is holding us back.

On the positive side, Manchester United's attacking play is more fluid, and the attacking players are starting to find common ground. However, the improved goal-scoring performance will struggle to compensate for the weaknesses in the defense if the defensive organization remains loose.

Impact on the top 4 target

With only five teams conceding more goals, Man United are putting themselves in a dangerous position near the bottom of the table in terms of defensive statistics. Unless they address two major weaknesses – set pieces and the far post after wing switches – all their attacking efforts will be negated. The international break is a time for Amorim to tighten up the team structure before those statistics translate into dropped points.