Gary Pallister exclusive: Alex Ferguson has to pick a number one keeper

Listen here | Manchester United are top of the league but defensively they are as flimsy than an IKEA flat-pack built without the instructions. They visit the champions Manchester City on Sunday in what, for dramatic purposes, we are dubbing a title-deciding six-pointer. Seven times in the league this season Manchester United have fallen behind only to […]

A CITY DIVIDED: Will the red of United or the blue of City come out on top on Sunday?

Manchester United are top of the league but defensively they are as flimsy than an IKEA flat-pack built without the instructions. They visit the champions Manchester City on Sunday in what, for dramatic purposes, we are dubbing a title-deciding six-pointer.

Seven times in the league this season Manchester United have fallen behind only to go on to win but they’ve conceded 21 goals in just 15 games. The last time United’s defence was conceding this many goals per game was in the 1978/79 season when they finished ninth and Chelsea got relegated.

What can be done to tighten up United’s back line? Can they go on to win the title by simply outscoring everybody else? One man who might have the answers is former Manchester United centre-back Gary Pallister.

Gary joins the lads on the Padcast to explain how he’d tighten up United’s back line and what Ferguson needs to do in order to solve their defensive problems.

Pally’s relationship with Steve Bruce at the heart of United’s defence is considered as one of the best centre-back pairings to grace the Premier League so he knows a thing or two about keeping clean sheets. Pally has three key steps to sorting out Fergie’s problems:

Pick a number one keeper
Practice defending set-pieces over and over again
Wrap Nemanja Vidic in cotton wool to stop him getting injured

The United legend tells the lads who he think should replace Fergie when the manager eventually retires, which of the City forwards he’d prefer to play against and how the Manchester City fans should be patient with Roberto Mancini even if the Champions get beat on Sunday afternoon.

Plus we’ve got the usual host of overly ambitious tips for the weekend’s matches and some crazy news from the world of sport.

Padcast host Ciaran O Raghallaigh on Twitter
Padcast producer Josh Powell on Twitter
Betting: Manchester City v Manchester United

Betting: Premier League coupon

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