According to a report by Evening Standard on Monday, November 9, 2026, former Manchester United defenders Gary Neville and Phil Neville have raised concerns about the club's defensive situation, naming four players they believe could contribute to a disastrous campaign and potentially put Michael Carrick's managerial position at risk.

The former England internationals shared their opinions after Manchester United played out an entertaining 4-4 draw against Aston Villa in their Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Manchester United struggled defensively throughout the match, allowing Unai Emery's side to score four times. Although Carrick's men showed determination by recovering from a two-goal deficit on two occasions, their inability to maintain defensive stability once again became a major talking point.

The result has added to the growing concerns surrounding United's performances this season. The Red Devils have now conceded 19 goals in their first 10 Premier League matches of the 2026/27 campaign, highlighting the problems they continue to experience at the back.

Their position in the relegation zone has also increased the pressure on Carrick, with questions emerging about whether the team can improve sufficiently when the league campaign resumes after the international break.

Speaking during his appearance as a pundit on NBC Sports, Gary Neville criticised Manchester United's transfer decisions, insisting that the club should have concentrated more on strengthening their defence during the transfer window.

According to the former United captain, the club's failure to recruit experienced defenders has left Carrick with players who continue to make costly mistakes.

Gary Neville said: "The reason Manchester United have conceded four goals is because they haven't invested in the defence in the transfer window.

"Everyone knew they had to do that, they needed defenders. The current ones are making mistake after mistake after mistake.

"The defenders that finished that game will get you relegated. Watch the defensive errors. We all screamed in the transfer window that they have to bring some defenders in."

His brother, Phil Neville, also shared similar concerns and went further by mentioning four Manchester United defenders who featured towards the end of the Aston Villa encounter.

The former Manchester United player identified Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu as the four defenders whose performances and overall quality he questioned.

Phil Neville suggested that relying on the defensive combination could have serious consequences for the club, while also warning that Carrick could eventually lose his position if the problems continue.

He said: "The back four that finished the game – Mazraoui, Yoro, Heaven and Dorgu – that gets you relegated.

"That back four gets you the sack as a manager and that back four cannot keep United, I don't think, in the Premier League.

"That back four gets you relegated, it's poor. It's not good enough to play in the Premier League."

The criticism has once again brought Manchester United's recruitment strategy into the spotlight, particularly their decisions regarding defensive reinforcements in recent transfer windows.

Despite spending significant money to improve other departments of the squad, the club have continued to face questions about the quality and depth of their defensive options.

United's attacking display against Aston Villa showed that they still possess the ability to score goals and fight back when under pressure. However, conceding four goals in a single home match has demonstrated how difficult it could be for Carrick's team to achieve consistent results without improving their defensive organisation.

With the Premier League campaign approaching another important stage, Carrick will be expected to find solutions to the defensive problems that have affected his side.

The comments from Gary and Phil Neville have therefore added another layer of pressure on the Manchester United manager, as supporters wait to see whether the club can address their weaknesses and improve their league position in the coming weeks.