Manchester United's first-choice back four has kept just four clean sheets in 12 games together

Manchester United’s defensive frailties are laid bare by a troubling statistic: the back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw has kept just four clean sheets in 12 games played together, conceding 17 goals in the process.

That combination started together twice this season — against Ipswich and Everton — and the pattern of vulnerability has continued. Seven of those 12 matches have ended with opponents scoring two or more goals, including a trio of 3-2 wins last season against Arsenal, Fulham and Nottingham Forest that flattered United’s defensive record.

The four defenders were also the same quartet who started the 4-0 humiliation at Brentford four years ago, a result that prompted then-manager Erik ten Hag to sign Casemiro in an attempt to provide midfield cover. The Brazilian thrived in his debut season at Old Trafford before his influence waned, and the underlying defensive concerns were never fully resolved.

Projected across a full 38-game Premier League season, 17 goals conceded in 12 matches equates to roughly 54 conceded in total. Last season, only six clubs in the division conceded more than 54 times, and three of them were relegated. United have exceeded that threshold in just four of their Premier League seasons, with a best finish of sixth in any of those campaigns.

Manager Michael Carrick has guided United back into the Champions League, but the defensive numbers suggest there is significant work still to do if the club is to improve on last season’s third-place finish. The recent arrival of Carlos Baleba, the Cameroon midfielder signed to add protection in front of the back line, is expected to help once he returns from injury.

The most recent evidence of United’s defensive vulnerability came on Sunday at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Benjamin Sesko’s late strike appeared to have secured victory — only for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to equalise with a thunderbolt on his Everton debut. United remain without a clean sheet this season.

“Of course, we don’t want to concede goals,” Carrick said after the draw, though the full context of his remarks was not available.