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Manchester United title hopes doomed by defence, Jose Mourinho not backed - Neville
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Manchester United's defence is not good enough to win the Premier
League title and Jose Mourinho is suffering because of a lack of
investment in the squad during the summer, according to former Old
Trafford captain Gary Neville.
United slumped to a 3-2
defeat at Brighton on Sunday with centre-backs Eric Bailly and Victor
Lindelof drawing particular criticism for their performances.
Mourinho wanted another central defender during the transfer window
and Neville believes his former club are paying the price for not
strengthening at the back.
"Forget everything else, that back four is not good enough to win a Premier League title," he told Sky Sports.
"Let's
start and finish with that. That back four looks like it will always
cause problems and always concede goals. It doesn't have authority and
that is a problem.
"[Mourinho] is in his third season and I think
he will feel extremely disappointed that he wasn't supported in the
transfer market.
"You can't leave a house three-quarters built.
You have to finish it and complete the build. ""He needs further
investment. It's obvious that he does and the club should support him in
that because you can't withdraw part way through a process. They have
to go for it."
Mourinho said on numerous occasions during the summer that his team
could find this season "difficult" -- a warning that looks like it will
be proved right judging by the hopeless display at the AMEX.
It
came just hours after Manchester City, champions last season by a record
19 points, had walloped Huddersfield 6-1 and Neville is concerned
United are already looking over their shoulders just two games into the
new campaign.
"It will get better and Manchester United will get
stronger and won't be easy to play against," added the former England
defender.
"I do think they will finish in the top four, but the
top four historically has never been the benchmark of what Manchester
United are.
"They have always judged themselves by Premier League titles. At this moment in time, that looks unlikely.
"Obviously
it is still early in the season, but it does look unlikely that
Manchester United are anywhere near good enough, as we sit here today."
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