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<p>Issues at Old Trafford</p>
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<img alt="15 goals conceded in 10 games - Man Utd's neglected defence is holding Amorim's team back" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/ruben-amorim-manchester-united-2025-1739779117-161283.jpg" title="15 goals conceded in 10 games - Man Utd's neglected defence is holding Amorim's team back" />
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<p><span>©IMAGO</span></p>
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<p>On Monday night, Manchester United fans were treated to an exhilarating display of attacking football, as Rúben Amorim’s team netted four goals against Bournemouth. This might have sparked joy for the Old Trafford crowd, but the visitors matched them with four goals, resulting in a frustrating draw for the Red Devils – their second such result in three Premier League matches. Once again, while Manchester United had no trouble finding the back of the net, their defensive frailties cost them dearly.</p>
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<p>It's clear that Amorim's squad possesses significant firepower this season. In fact, only Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has scored more goals than United, who are tied with league leaders Arsenal at 30 goals across 16 games. However, the ongoing issue for the Red Devils remains their disappointing defensive record, having conceded 26 goals so far – a statistic that places them among the five highest conceders in the league this season. Furthermore, they haven't managed to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League since October 4. In short, the state of United's defence is a major hindrance for Amorim's side.</p>
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<p>Amorim might attribute the lackluster performance of his backline during the match to the absence of key defenders like Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, and Noussair Mazraoui, all missing due to injuries or international commitments. However, a closer inspection reveals that United’s defensive lineup lacks the caliber needed to compete with the elite teams in the Premier League.</p>
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<img alt="PL defence market values" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/pl-defence-market-values-1765881020-185344.png?lm=1765881030" title="PL defence market values" width="503" />
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<p>The table above indicates that the average market value of a Manchester United defender is currently only €21 million. This figure is the lowest among the so-called "Big Six" in English football, while Manchester City’s average stands at nearly double that, at €39 million, and league leaders Arsenal boast an impressive €55 million. Overall, the combined market value of United's defence is €252 million, ranking second lowest among the “Big Six” clubs, highlighting a squad filled with defenders yet lacking in quality.</p>
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<p>It’s evident that Manchester United has succumbed to the trap of quantity over quality. When we rank all Premier League defenders by market value, United has just one player—Leny Yoro—who makes it into the top 25, valued at €55 million. In contrast, Arsenal has five, Manchester City and Tottenham each have four, and Liverpool has two. Consequently, Amorim is not equipped with the same level of defensive talent that managers like Mikel Arteta or Guardiola can rely on week after week, a reality that becomes apparent when examining United's transfer strategy over the past five years.</p>
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<img alt="Man Utd spending in five years" height="629" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/newsansicht/man-utd-spending-in-five-years-1765881063-185345.png?lm=1765881090" title="Man Utd spending in five years" width="503" />
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<p>An analysis of Manchester United’s transfer spending over the last five seasons shows that they have invested €270 million in new defenders. While this figure is notable, ranking third behind Chelsea (€399.4 million) and Manchester City (€306.8 million), it pales in comparison to their spending on attacking players, which is more than double this amount. In fact, only 25% of United’s total transfer budget over this period has been allocated to defenders, which is relatively low given Amorim typically fields four or five defenders in his starting XI. This lack of investment explains the comparatively low market value of their defensive lineup and highlights the absence of resources directed at strengthening Amorim’s defence. This inadequacy was clearly on display during Monday's encounter with Bournemouth.</p>
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