As famously said by Sir Alex, " Attack wins you matches, but Defence wins you the league".

United have always have had the best defenders found across the world, name any time period they will be there, Irwin, Bruce, Pallister, Vidic, Ferdinand, Stam, Evra, Neville etc.

The current partners in the heart of defense Jones and Smalling just haven't been able to keep with the tradition, and quite frankly could and may not even ever be considered the successors of Vidic and Ferdinand.

It's true the Frenchman Paul Pogba will get the most crticism for the defeat at St James's Park.

And his substitution, after the United defense was breached just showed the dismal form he is in.

On any other day, Pogba’s continued run of poor form might quite rightly be held up as United’s key problem, but in truth we had just seen the latest reason why they are still a long way short of title material.

The result at Newcastle could have gone more awry, considering the form Smalling was in, and United could've conceded more goals than they actually let in.

Just as Phil Jones had played his part in two Tottenham goals the last time United played away from home, Smalling managed to display all the negative sides of his skill-set while failing to present any positives.

He was the offender when Craig Pawson should have awarded the home side a penalty late in the first half, challenging Dwight Gayle with the wrong leg, and ending up tying himself in knots and bringing down the Newcastle striker just inside the area.

The England defender was then to blame when United had a goal ruled out, needlessly climbing on Paul Dummett before Romelu Lukaku headed past Martin Dubravka.

Not long after came the proof that it was just not Smalling's day. He somehow decided it was a good idea to anticipate a Jonjo Shelvey challenge that never arrived as he carried the ball out of defence, taking a dive which rightly earned him a yellow card and gave Newcastle an attacking free-kick just when they had been looking vulnerable at the back themselves.

From the resulting set piece, Florian Lejeune was allowed to rise unchallenged at the far post and Ritchie swept home as United stood watching.

It was just not the defense, but even attacking trio of "ARM" failed to outscore the Newcastle side, missing many decent chances that included 1vs 1 with the keeper.

United's defensive record is marvelous less than 20 in 27 games but it has been this way due to the excellence of David De Gea, who has once again showed his class. And is Player of the Year elect already at United.

Just as Jones drew all the attention with a horrendous own-goal at Wembley on their most recent travels, Smalling’s untimely dive characterised this latest defeat. Also the new signings post Fergie-era,

no longer start the matches, namely Blind, Rojo, Lindelof, and the two injury prones Shaw and Bailly.

United have spent fortunes on attackers, while day by day, other half have been struggling.

While the blue part of Manchester have spent millions in defense, perhaps it's the cue for why City are leading the league by 16 points with 10-12 matches yet to go.

Also the bad form of Pogba and Nemanja Matic is also the reason for the dismal defending over the last few weeks.

But now if United want to be serious contenders for the league next season, something has to be done in the defense.ously said by Sir Alex, " Attack wins you matches, but Defence wins you the league".