Robbie Savage: Why haven’t Manchester United signed another centre-back? Are they going backwards?

Speaking exclusively to Planet Sport Bet, Savage said: “What I can’t understand is why Manchester United have not brought in a centre-back that would improve last year's squad. It is the glaring position which they need.

"Against Arsenal they finished the game with what are probably their fourth and fifth choice centre-backs on the pitch.

"They reached two cup finals last year and finished third, now they are ending a game away to Arsenal with Diogo Dalot (a right back playing out of position), Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka!

“United knew about Raphael Varane’s injury record, they had Lisandro Martinez just coming back from injury, and even knowing these factors they only signed Jonny Evans on a one-year deal at the age of 35.

"Knowing internally what the different situations were, I cannot understand why they didn’t go in for a centre-back. It is unbelievable to think that a club the size of Manchester United are in this situation.

“I think it has been a bizarre transfer window and it has been evident that they needed a centre-back and they haven’t got one of the calibre to play for United right now. The question I would ask is whether Manchester United are now going backwards?”

 

Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag in a ‘very awkward’ situation

Continuing on the topic of United, Savage commented on the recent situation around Jadon Sancho’s exclusion from the squad. 

Savage said: “The transfer window is now closed everywhere other than Saudi Arabia and I can’t see Jadon Sancho going there so now they have to think about how they get the best out of him.

"You put your arm round him, develop him and give him encouragement. He looks like a player who needs to be told how good he is and to have an arm round him. 

“Erik ten Hag and Sancho now find themselves in a very awkward situation and they both have different opinions on it.

"They both need to get together and resolve it, but the biggest thing for me is that United need to put and arm round him, develop him and see if they can get the Jadon Sancho that everybody knows, playing at the highest level that he can.”

 
Declan Rice transfer brilliant business – but Arsenal won’t win title

Declan Rice was one of the standout players in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over United on Sunday, and Savage was full of praise for the midfielder. 

He said: “Declan Rice was really impressive against United. I thought it was a fantastic performance and if you look at that midfield area now with Rice, Kai Havertz who has come under some criticism but I think he will come good, and Martin Odegaard who scored their first, they look strong.

"What a player Odegaard is, I think he has been so good and he can be even better this season because he has Rice in there with him.

“The acquisition of Rice for £105m was a brilliant piece of business for Arsenal. Not only can he play a defensive role but he can drive forward and we saw it a couple of times against United where he gets the ball and drives with it through the heart of United.

"He can score goals, he’s a leader and he comes across as a really nice guy. From the outside you want players like him to do well and he’s added so much quality to the Arsenal side.

“But even with the acquisition of Declan Rice, I don’t think Arsenal can win the league, simply because of Manchester City. If City weren’t in the Premier League then I think Arsenal would win it, but unfortunately for Arsenal, they are.”

 

 

Chelsea will still finish in top four – but Mauricio Pochettino needs time
 

Chelsea’s 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest was one of the weekend’s main talking points, but Savage stated that he still believes Mauricio Pochettino will guide the Blues to a top-four finish.

“When Mauricio Pochettino was appointed I thought Chelsea would get in the top four, and I still believe that,” he said.

“They’ve signed so many good, hungry players and with a manager like Pochettino and the way he can develop players and teams, I think that Chelsea will still finish in the top four.

 

 

“With no European football the extra time on the training pitch is going to be so valuable to Pochettino. When you look at how many players they’ve brought in it is going to take him a lot of time to galvanize this group and to get them playing the way that he wants.

“Pochettino has to find a system where the striker will score 20 or more goals a season. No Chelsea number 9 since Costa has done this. As soon as Poch does that I think Chelsea will start firing on all cylinders and will, with time, be a huge success and start challenging for trophies under him.

"The biggest thing is that he needs time. Graham Potter didn’t get that and it’s important that the board and Todd Boehly give that manager time. If they do that I believe that Chelsea will start challenging for trophies.”

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