Manchester United learn the lessons of Milan mauling

With the two teams most likely to win the Premier League meeting this weekend the analysis of the two teams will be extensive, so it was interesting on Saturday to read of a defensive crisis at Manchester United. On Saturday the BBC considered United missing Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville to be a 'crisis' - which does seem a little strong considering the depth of the squad and the quality of the reserves.

By Sunday the suggestion was that Ferdinand was leaving for Spurs and ex-United trainee Ryan Shawcross of Stoke was his replacement (United reportedly have first refusal on his next transfer). Not sure why Tottenham was picked as a destination for Ferdinand - perhaps it is the footballing equivalent of Perth for Neighbours, or indeed Manchester for Eastenders. Though quite why Harry Redknapp would want another injury prone English centre-half is a puzzle.

No doubt Vidic will be reportedly leaving for Barcelona within a day or so as well. But Sir Alex Ferguson has been building up defensive reserves ever since that mauling in Milan in May 2007 when Heinze and Vidic had to play whilst palpably unfit - and were found out by Kaka and co. And as a result United are unlikely to fall victim to any kind of crisis through lack of defensive reserves.

Gary Neville hasn't been a regular for a few seasons now as injuries and age have taken their toll - his presence is more totemic than anything these days - but he still makes 20-30 appearances a season. John O'Shea seems to have made the right back place his own this season despite Wes Brown's return to fitness - however Rafael da Silva will surely push him out at some point this season or next. Which means that four players are competing quite strongly for one spot.

At left back Patrice Evra is one of a clutch of English based players that could claim to be the best left back in the world; and whilst he is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon Fabio da Silva and John O'Shea are the most likely stand-ins if injury or suspension strikes. Ritchie De Laet is probably fourth choice left back although he can play right across the back four.

At centre half United have the partnership that a year or two ago was probably the best in the country in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic - but these two seem to be perennial injury candidates. It is more than useful to have international reserves pushing them for a place in former trainees - Jonny Evans and Wes Brown - although neither Brown nor Evans is injury free for too long either. John O'Shea can also slot into the centre as can Gary Neville.

Fundamentally United have four international players in place for each place in the back four with a number of these players able to adapt to a range of positions - so it would take a radical injury crisis to damage those kind of depths. Neville and Ferdinand look good for this season but with injuries making their appearances more sporadic it would not be a surprise if they were both moved on in the summer (Neville may not make the traditional journey east to Everton) and certainly Ferdinand should generate a good return before he starts to decline too much. And much as Vidic is a fantastic asset he has taken so many knocks that he may not be a top player long after he hits 30 in 2011 so it would not be a huge shock if he were to leave next year too.

Such was the impact of such obvious defensive frailties that United are now one of the few top English clubs likely to be fielding a back four formed entirely from former trainees with 6 of the 9 likely defensive starters at the club having signed professional terms at the club at 17. It has clearly been a focus for the coaches and scouts for some time.

To be honest Evans has started more United games than Ferdinand this season and it can't be too long before he replaces him completely; so it is no longer a crisis to be missing Ferdinand, Vidic or Neville - or even all of them - the lessons of that Milan mauling have been learnt.

Manchester United defensive appearances 2009/10 to date:

Evra 14/0
O'Shea 12 starts/2 substitute appearances
Evans 10/0
Vidic 10/0

Ferdinand 8/0
Neville 6/1
Brown 5/2
Fabio da Silva 4/1
Rafael da Silva 1/0
de Laet 0/2

Manchester United defensive appearances 2008/9

Vidic 50/3
Evra 43/3
O'Shea 42/12
Ferdinand 40/1

Evans 29/3
Neville 23/4
Rafael da Silva 21/6
Brown 7/6
Fabio da Silva 2/0
de Laet 1/0
Eckersley 0/4