Rio Ferdinand explains why Ayden Heaven should be handed a key role at Man United

1 Manchester United's defence has suddenly become a source of weakness. Defensive woes United have conceded six goals in just three games this season and have managed only three clean sheets in their last 14 outings. Their defensive numbers are, quite simply, disappointing. The attack continues to produce, yet a leaking defence undermines that effort. What is particularly frustrating is that the backline United have fielded in the last two games is the very one Erik ten Hag left behind. If neither Ten Hag nor Ruben Amorim could win anything with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw, it raises the question of how Michael Carrick expects a different outcome. It is time, therefore, to rethink United's back four, and legendary former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has already given Carrick one non-negotiable for his selection. Rio Ferdinand: Yoro and Heaven need to be trusted Ferdinand wants either Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven trusted as a first-choice starter. Explaining why, and pushing especially for Heaven's inclusion, he said on his YouTube page: "Yoro, I thought he would be a bit further ahead than he is now; he's taken a little bit longer to push up that ceiling and fulfil that potential. I think it's still going to come, but I think it's been slower than anticipated, 100%. "Heaven, I think he could play now, but the manager's making a choice and decision, and he wants to go with what he's got. But I would always have one of those two in the backline just for pace at this level, 100%." Fast, agile and technically gifted, the duo certainly merit consideration, and Heaven in particular demonstrated as much during pre-season. It remains unfortunate that Carrick appears reluctant to trust him, repeatedly overlooking his claims for a starting berth. Hopefully, despite a less than convincing performance against Hull City, he will still be given his chance. As for Yoro, his development has not gone entirely to plan. He is now being tried at right-back, and it remains to be seen whether that experiment unlocks his potential. Ultimately, though, if Yoro and Heaven are to be the future of United's backline, both need to be trusted with a key role.