Ole: The defensive foundations are there
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes his Manchester United team have established the basis of a solid defence, having kept two consecutive clean sheets going into Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.
After David De Gea shut out Norwich City in our last league match, Sergio Romero followed up by preventing Wolverhampton Wanderers from scoring in Wednesday night’s Emirates FA Cup replay.
Ahead of them, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof’s relationship has blossomed throughout the campaign, while the likes of Brandon Williams and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have earned rave reviews for impressive showings in recent weeks.
For that reason, the boss is delighted with with our defensive discipline in the last few games and believes it gives his side a solid base to build from.
Ahead of them, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof’s relationship has blossomed throughout the campaign, while the likes of Brandon Williams and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have earned rave reviews for impressive showings in recent weeks.
For that reason, the boss is delighted with with our defensive discipline in the last few games and believes it gives his side a solid base to build from.
Ole reveals a change in captaincy Video
Ole reveals a change in captaincy
Watch the moment when Solskjaer confirmed Young's imminent departure and Maguire's appointment as United captain...
“Well, we've been working on it of course and it's always the foundation of any team, to defend well,” Ole told reporters ahead of this weekend’s trip to Merseyside.
“Victor and Harry, they have been excellent as a pairing, they've grown to know each other, but it's the whole team.
“I think it's the work rate of the whole team and we know that we have to, absolutely every one of us, 11 of us, have to defend well against Liverpool if we're going to be able to keep a clean sheet. Of course, with Sergio and David too, you're very confident.”
“Victor and Harry, they have been excellent as a pairing, they've grown to know each other, but it's the whole team.
“I think it's the work rate of the whole team and we know that we have to, absolutely every one of us, 11 of us, have to defend well against Liverpool if we're going to be able to keep a clean sheet. Of course, with Sergio and David too, you're very confident.”
With the majority of United’s defensive players in their mid and early 20s, the boss hopes his current defence can stick together for the foreseeable future.
“I hope so,” Ole said in his pre-match press conference. “Then again, we've got Diogo [Dalot] as a great attacking full-back. We've got Tim [Fosu-Mensah] coming back who is only 21, who has played loads of games for Holland and I think, potentially, we have got the best left-back in England - Luke [Shaw] has the potential to be the best one.
“That is a great challenge for him now and Brandon has come in and done so well. Axel [Tuanzebe] is a centre-back, so for me, the foundation is there,” he added.
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
“I hope so,” Ole said in his pre-match press conference. “Then again, we've got Diogo [Dalot] as a great attacking full-back. We've got Tim [Fosu-Mensah] coming back who is only 21, who has played loads of games for Holland and I think, potentially, we have got the best left-back in England - Luke [Shaw] has the potential to be the best one.
“That is a great challenge for him now and Brandon has come in and done so well. Axel [Tuanzebe] is a centre-back, so for me, the foundation is there,” he added.
Reading this in our app? If not, you might miss some exclusive features not found on ManUtd.com. Download the Official App here.
Back to Top