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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."
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, has come out in defence of the Juventus forward after his red card in the 2-0 win against Valencia on Wednesday. Ronaldo was dismissed on his Champions League debut for Juve after a clash with Jeison Murillo was spotted by the assistant referee and communicated to German referee Felix Brych, who drew a red card from his top pocket. The Portuguese forward was reluctant to leave the field at the Mestalla and appeared to be on the verge of tears as he finally walked to the tunnel in disbelief. She wrote on Instagram: "A football disgrace...justice will be done...they want to destroy my brother, but God never sleeps...disgraceful." Aveiro posted further images of the incident on her Instagram story with similar captions. It was Ronaldo's first red card in 154 Champions League games, and the decision means he could miss a return to Old Trafford when Juventus play Manchester United next month if he gets at l...
Ronaldo has backed Jose Mourinho to turn things around at Manchester United, although he believes the Champions League will be staying at Real Madrid this year. Mourinho is under pressure after United started the Premier League season with one win and two defeats, including a 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham on Monday. He takes United to Burnley on Sunday with his future hanging in the balance, but Ronaldo believes a knee-jerk reaction would be wrong. "I don't know what's happening in Manchester, but wait before criticising Mou -- he's special and he's won a lot," he told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport. United have been drawn against Juventus, Valencia and Young Boys in the Champions League, with Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo facing their respective former clubs. "[Juventus] are a really strong side," Ronaldo said. "They've reached the final twice recently and Ronaldo is going to strengthen them, but the Champions Leag...
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