Man Utd have been called on to address their issues in the January transfer window after the team’s mentality was questioned
Manchester United are staring down a crucial transfer window as the heat intensifies on Ruben Amorim to sort out their defensive frailties. Former United goalkeeper Ben Foster has laid bare his concerns, suggesting the current back line doesn’t possess the winning mentality needed to keep goals out on a regular basis.
The ex-England and Wrexham shot-stopper, who spent five years at Old Trafford between 2005 and 2010, has cast doubt over whether any of the club’s curren defenders would strengthen their main Premier League competitors. The scrutiny follows Amorim’s side suffering a 2-1 loss at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Two spectacular efforts from Morgan Rogers sealed the points, but the defeat highlighted United’s ongoing struggles defensively. Whilst some pundits argued United were unfortunate at Villa Park, club icon Roy Keane wasn’t buying it, criticising the team’s work rate – and Foster backed the Sky Sports pundit’s assessment.
Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, he said: “I think Roy Keane got it bang on about the dedication to really stop goals going in. They don’t want to get exposed by somebody doing them.
“They don’t want a meme to appear of them getting absolutely ‘megged, twisted or turned, so they stand off. They still seem like they’re missing in four or five positions where they need somebody that’s world class in that position.”
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He added: “Look at the back line of Man United. Would any defender from that team get into any of the big boys like Liverpool, Arsenal or Man City? They’re not going to improve any of those teams. They’re good players, but they’re not going to stop goals like this, because they’re not willing to really do the dirty stuff.”
Sunday’s loss proved costly for United, who desperately needed the three points against Villa to stay in touch with their top-four competitors. The outcome left Amorim’s squad sitting seventh in the Premier League standings, now trailing Sunderland by a point and both Liverpool and Chelsea by three.
The match also represented the sixth occasion in eight league fixtures that United have failed to secure maximum points. From the start of November, their record shows four draws, two defeats and two victories as their momentum has ground to a halt. Keane particularly targeted Diogo Dalot for criticism following the Villa loss.
He said: “You can have all the talent in the world, but we mention it time and time again, you’ve got to roll your sleeves up. When the game gets a bit tired, or those moments, you go, ‘I’m going to do my bit for the team.’
“There’s too many players like Dalot, who just don’t do enough. I won’t use the word ‘cheating’ but they’re not doing enough.”
Reflecting on United’s performance overall, Keane said: “I wouldn’t say they were unlucky – they gave up two goals. They’ve conceded six goals in the last two games, and that’s not good enough.
“We praise them going forward, and they are more of a goal threat, but with the amount of chances and goals they’re giving up, you can’t make progress. United can dig deep, they showed that again today, but they need to be more intense when they’re defending, they need more pride there.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
