Man United might still have a solution to save them millions in the summer despite acid test failure

After ending last season with a Premier League-best 17 clean sheets, it was fairly obvious where Manchester United needed to focus their energy in last summer's transfer window.

United enjoyed a successful first season under Erik ten Hag, achieving a third-placed finish and winning the Carabao Cup. Both successes were built on the foundations of a strong and resolute defence, opposed to rarely blowing teams away at the other end.

In a bid to change that, United drafted in Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta last summer, bringing an end to their long-term pursuit of a new striker. The youngster has improved as the season has unfolded and currently has a respectable 13 goals to his name.

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At the other end, however, United have not been as solid and reliable defensively, conceding more goals in the league so far this season than they did in the whole of last term. Unfortunately, their vision of increasing their attacking output while remaining solid defensively has not come to fruition.

But when you consider the unprecedented amount of injuries United have encountered at the back, it is not exactly surprising, is it? Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, who formed the Reds' strongest centre-back partnership last season, missed Saturday's trip to Bournemouth, as did Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans.

It meant youngster Willy Kambwala, who performed so admirably against Liverpool just over a week ago, partnered Harry Maguire in the heart of the back-four once again. The former, who is 19, has provided glimpses of his capabilities and potential when opportunities