Manchester United vs. PSG: United Show They Need Defensive Improvement

The clearest takeaway from Manchester United vs. Paris Saint-Germain—from the United perspective—is that defensive improvement is still needed.

Both of Paris' goals were the product of some shambolic defending from the Red Devils. For the first, David De Gea betrayed an uncertainty he rarely shows these days. While he failed to clear his line, Phil Jones unhelpfully and ineffectively clattered into the onrushing Blaise Matuidi, who managed to poke the ball home.

For the second, Jones got himself caught in no-man's land as an untroubled Zlatan Ibrahimovic strolled in behind him to finish a fine PSG move.

The decision to persist with a centre-back partnership of Jones and Daley Blind seems a peculiar one from Van Gaal.

Speaking with MUTV before the live broadcast of United's final International Champions game (h/t People's Person via Twitter), the manager said he had selected Blind for his qualities in possession, and for his ability to provide an extra man in midfield.

Unfortunately, that decision brings with it a significant compromise to United's defensive certainty. It is, of course, only pre-season, but Van Gaal started each of the Red Devils' four games on their U.S. tour with Blind and Jones at centre-half.

Speaking after the game on the press-conference broadcast on the International Champions Cup website, Van Gaal said he would select Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind, but that the right centre-back position was not yet certain certain.

It may seem odd that the non-traditional central defender is the one who Van Gaal said would retain his place. However, in the goals United conceded against PSG, Blind was the least culpable of the centre-halves.

After the win against Barcelona, I wrote that the balance of United's squad had been significantly enhanced by the summer transfer window, and that is certainly the case. Almost everywhere on the park, United have better options than they have done for a long time. 

Shaw and Darmian both shone against Paris, particularly in the first half. Memphis Depay demonstrated a range of flicks and tricks which could be a delight to behold in the season ahead. Bastian Schweinsteiger showed glimpses of why he will be vital to Van Gaal's side in the campaign ahead, with a couple of great passes and some excellent physicality.

However, the spotlight shone once again on the heart of United's defence. In that harsh light they were found wanting.

Of course, the transfer window is still open, and so the possibility of strengthening from outside of the squad remains. But even without additions, United could improve in that area.

Chris Smalling would have cause to feel aggrieved if either Jones or Blind is preferred to him, given he was United's best defender last season. Given Jones' errors for both goals and Van Gaal's assertion that Blind would play, it seems likely Smalling will slot in alongside the Dutchman.

Marcos Rojo will also, presumably, be brought back to match fitness and add to United's current options. Indeed, Smalling and Rojo might be the most natural partnership of the current personnel, from a defensive perspective. Van Gaal, though—in his inimitable fashion—has other ideas.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

Of course, there is a long season ahead, and things will change and develop throughout.

As things stand, as an outsider, it seems that the addition of a top-class centre-half is what is needed to propel United to the next level. The manager's track record is such that if he believes otherwise, it is probably with good reason. While he is far from infallible, his medal haul gives ample evidence that he knows what he is doing.

The pre-season tour, taken as a whole, has showed plenty of reasons for optimism on the pitch. It would also appear that the injury toll has been minimal, a significant difference to last time around. However, the game against Paris once again revealed a permeability to United's defensive core.

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

As things stand, for the first part of the season at least, it looks like United's back four will remain a work in progress. Finding a way to make it truly functional is one of Van Gaal's most urgent tasks.

Bleacher Report is Official Media Partner of the International Champions Cup North America.