Manchester United: Defence becoming a tough nut to crack
The numbers from Manchester United’s first three games in the new season make a pleasing read for their supporters: three wins, ten goals scored and none conceded. While it is no surprise that much of the emphasis has been placed on the squad’s newfound incisiveness at the front, the fact that United managed to keep three clean sheets on the bounce means the backline’s formidable stability should not go unnoticed.
United’s defence seem to have built on the successes of last season, where they recorded the second lowest amount in terms of goals conceded in the Premier League with 29 compared to Tottenham Hotspur’s 26. Defensive strength is always the hallmark of a Jose Mourinho team and it seems that the manager has had no trouble in implementing his methods in his first season in charge of Manchester United.
This season, though, United’s defensive unit has ramped it up as a whole. An addition has been signed in Victor Lindelof but although he is viewed as the long-term partner for Eric Bailly, the Swede has looked out of his depth so far and would probably need a period of bedding-in. Instead, it is the existing players who has stepped up to the plate.
Familiarity is key when it comes to defensive stability and that is probably why the manager has picked an unchanged defence for all of United’s games thus far. A back-four of Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, and Daley Blind might not set the world alight and out of them, only the first two could be considered as undisputed starters but the set-up has worked wonders so far. Mourinho seems to have instilled his philosophy to this well-drilled unit and it has given the forwards a platform to flourish.
Every personnel pulling their weight
Valencia has carried on where he left-off last season, guarding the right-hand side with the level of intensity which won him praise from the current United manager as “the best right-back in the world”. The Ecuadorian has shown no signs of slowing down despite his age and remains as quick as ever, covering both ends of the pitch with relative ease over the course of 90 minutes.
The same could be said of Bailly, who has looked every inch the ideal Manchester United centre-back. Quick on the ground and strong in the air while being physically imposing, he also carries and passes the ball with the poise of a cultured centre-half, it is not a stretch to compare him with Rio Ferdinand. In addition to all those strengths in his game, he is also a tough tackler and wonderfully times his challenges most of the time.
Jones was once tipped to become the greatest player in Manchester United’s history by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson and on the evidence of this season’s performances so far, it is difficult to argue. Controlled aggression coupled with unerring calmness has made Jones a commanding presence at the back. While he can be over-zealous in his approach at times, it is his enthusiasm and drive which mark him out as special. Last season he formed an unlikely but eventually successful partnership with Marcos Rojo but this time around, a partnership with Bailly looks all the more convincing.
Blind spent most of last year on the periphery because of Mourinho’s unwillingness to field a lightweight centre-half and his supposed preference is playing Luke Shaw or Matteo Darmian in the left-back position. Commencement of the new season has seemingly become a watershed moment for Blind, who started all of the first three games on the left side of the defence. Reliable if unspectacular as always, with his exceptional awareness a key feature in breaking down opposition attacks.
Sterner tests to come
It is imperative that United don’t get carried away because admittedly, wins and clean sheets against West Ham United, Swansea City, and Leicester City should be a routine rather than a cause for celebration. Out of the three teams, only Leicester probably possess quality attacking players of sufficient quality to worry top teams’ defences. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez gave Jones and Blind a couple of frights on that night and on another day, United might not have kept the clean sheet had Andy King capitalized on Jones’ lapse in concentration late in the game.
Next: Manchester United: 5 things learned headed into the international break
It goes to show how there is still room for improvement and why jury’s still out for this Manchester United backline. We will know the true capability of this defensive unit once they face one of the so-called ‘top-six’ teams, particularly Liverpool, whose irrepressible forward line possesses the capability to wreak havoc against even the best defence in the world. For now, though, Manchester United supporters can proudly hang their heads high going into the international break, pointing to the league table which shows their team’s enviable record in the number of goals conceded.