Neville eyes consistency

Neville: Expects defensive improvement

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Gary Neville believes the recent frailties in the Manchester United defence have been the result of a constantly changing backline.

The Red Devils conceded three goals against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League last time out and have kept just eight clean sheets in their 17 matches in all competitions this term.

Injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have meant that manager Sir Alex Ferguson has had to call on Wes Brown and Jonny Evans for the last three games.

Despite keeping a clean sheet at Barnsley in the Carling Cup and Blackburn last weekend the pair were at the heart of the defence for the clash with CSKA on Tuesday where the defending on show was, at times, non-existent.

"We are interchanging the defence too regularly at the moment because of injuries and it has caused us a problem," Neville explained.

"We had to change our keeper for the opening two months of the season, then Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have been injured.

Consistent

"Before that it was Wes Brown. It means more changes than the manager would like. He wants a consistent back four, which is what we have had for two or three seasons.

"We definitely want to improve defensively and once we settle into our stride I am sure we will become better."

Neville, who has been tipped for an England recall as a result of his impressive form for United, believes the hype surrounding the club suggesting they have yet to hit top form this season is wide of the mark.

"Things are not too bad here," he added. "We are through to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, we are two points off the top of the league - which is probably the best start we have had in years - and we are through to the knock-out phase of the Champions League with two matches to spare.

"It is always the same at this club. When you lose a game at Liverpool there is criticism afterwards.

"But we have beaten Arsenal at home, we have beaten [Manchester] City at home. We have had other good results. We are not concerned by anything that happens externally."

Rivals

Neville misses this weekend's match at Chelsea through suspension but the 34-year-old knows how important matches against fellow 'big four' teams are in helping determine the identity of the champions come May.

"At the moment Chelsea are the team on top, so they are the ones we are all going for," he pointed out. "But there are three or four up there who are capable of putting challenges together.

"These matches are always key. It is a big game between two big clubs. Both teams will want to win, but both also know it will be just as difficult as ever.

"No matter what happens though, there is still a long way to go."