There are several England prospects at Old Trafford…
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that current Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal is the perfect man to help the English defenders at the club.
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However, the former right-back says that he is still waiting for the trio of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Jonny Evans to live up to their potential. The respected pundit thought that former United boss David Moyes might be the man to turn the players in to what they could be, but following his short reign at the club van Gaal now has to take up that mantle.
“When you are with England and you work with the likes of Smalling or Jones, you hope that a manager comes in and grabs them, plays them, trusts and puts belief in them,” Neville was quoted by the Daily Mail.
“So when David Moyes came in last season we thought that would be good news because David likes British players. This season Louis van Gaal has come in. A great coach and someone that worked all over Europe.
“He’ll get them good on the ball, good defensively, in good positions to receive the ball, opening their body out and passing forward with composure.”
Some of the Old Trafford outfit’s defenders have been criticised this season, with the players seeming to find it hard to adapt to the new manager’s preferred three at the back system. Neville thinks that is in part due to the large amount of injuries that they have suffered.
“When I look at the United defence what it lacks is control. I see players that have talent but they’re all individually working, not having controlled movements together of in-sync. That comes through understanding and from playing together,” the England assistant coach added.
“No manager, whether it’s Sir Alex Ferguson or someone else, over the past three years, would be able to put a consistent defence out there.
“At times they look all out at sea but you have to say in Louis van Gaal’s defence, he has had Darren Fletcher in defence, Michael Carrick in defence with Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as wing backs that have done well.”
United got back to winning ways at the weekend, beating QPR 2-0 at Loftus Road on Saturday, but it was a far from convincing performance from the 13-time Premier League champions. Their defence was continually exposed by the Rs in the first-half and van Gaal was forced to change tactics at half-time.