Inside United - Rock solid

United’s defence may have been breached in the last two games but a miserly run of form in 2009 has proved key to the club’s continued chase for success on all fronts.

The Reds' solid backline is arguably the most enviable in Europe and this month’s issue of Inside United – on sale now – meets two of the team's star performers.

Edwin van der Sar grabbed the headlines for United’s impenetrability but the giant Dutchman insists it’s been a collective effort. “It’s all about the team,” he says. “You can’t do it on your own as a keeper or a centre-half – it’s the right-back, the centre midfielder who tracks back to stay with his runner. A lot of players have played in different positions, or come in and done a job.”

Nemanja Vidic has also played an integral part in keeping United’s opponents at bay, but he admits he’s helped knowing the imperious Dutch stopper is between the sticks. “It’s very important to have someone like him behind you,” he told us. “I’m always sure he will do the job for the team and I believe everything he does is going to be right.”