Why are "football pundits" criticising United's defense leading into the upcoming season?
Yes, the team took 8-10 games to gel and the philosophy, especially in terms of defending but over the course of the season they conceded one less goal than City and only Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton conceded more.
The problem was that we didn't score enough goals and for me, that's why RVP and Falcao were shown the door. The three teams above United scored 9 (Arsenal), 21 (City) and 11 (Chelsea) more goals over the season Chicharito needs to find his feet or LVG will be looking for a back up striker fast.
I am comfortable with the defense we have got but am a bit worried where the goals will come if Rooney gets injured.
You're forgetting David de Gea's contribution to the goals conceded tally (and the number of points the team picked up through his efforts). I would suggest there are only a handful of keepers in the world who would have saved the number of goals he did. Can he have a season like that again? Right now, I hope so; and let him go on a free to Real next season. As of today, we still don't have a defensive leader of the quality needed.