Kevin Davies: 'Manchester United are weak at the back'

Preston North End striker Kevin Davies has highlighted Manchester United's defence as their weak point ahead of Monday's FA Cup fifth-round clash between the two sides.

The Red Devils have suffered a string of injuries at the back this season, forcing manager Louis van Gaal to chop and change his defensive line regularly, yet only two teams have conceded fewer goals than United in the Premier League this season.

However, Davies believes that their defensive record is more down to the performances of goalkeeper David de Gea and insists that they must improve if they are to return to their former glories.

"You'd have to identify that as their weakness, that's certainly what I feel. When you consider De Gea's been their best player, he's not been that well protected. Without him they wouldn't be in those top-four positions, I don't think there's any question about that," Davies is quoted as saying by PA.

"They haven't had a settled back three, back four, whatever they're playing, back five at times. Whether Van Gaal would pick the same team anyway with the rotation and things you don't know. I think it's an area they'll need to improve if they get into the Champions League and if they want to start competing for the title again with Chelsea being so strong and Man City ahead of them.

"I think the squad needs an overhaul and [Van Gaal] is starting to do that. You can't just do that in one or two windows. I think he will get it right and we will see Man Utd over the next six or 12 months get better and better and play a better style of football."

Preston will be competing in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2008 when they host United at Deepdale.