Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has explained the importance of defending as a team, with the Red Devils conceding just once in their last seven matches in all competitions.
The 20-time English champions have not conceded since the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on October 22, keeping clean sheets in their last three games with Sheriff Tiraspol, West Ham United and Real Sociedad.
Jorginho's goal for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge came from the penalty spot, meaning that Ten Hag's side have not conceded from open play in any competition since the clash with Everton on October 9.
Man United's manager has said that the ability to defend from front to back has made them more difficult to beat over the last few weeks.
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"Because we defend with 11, starting with Cristiano [Ronaldo] up front. So we are hard to beat as a team. I think that's a compliment but it's also that process we have to keep going, that makes it hard to beat us because everyone is convinced of that plan, everyone is disciplined in that plan," Ten Hag told MUTV.
"When we play with the desire and passion, we are hard to beat and that makes us, in this moment, successful."
Man United will be bidding to make it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions when they travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
However, the Red Devils will be without the services of Bruno Fernandes, who picked up a milestone booking in the 1-0 victory over West Ham United last weekend.
"Yeah, until now, Bruno is so important for us. In every match, he plays really good. I think also yesterday (Thursday), he was playing from the right, he made an impact there as well. You see, for instance, with the goal and also some other actions. As a no.10, he's playing really good games and we have to replace him, that's the squad," said the Dutchman when asked about the Portugal international.
"Therefore, you need a squad, it's not about 11 players, you need a squad to win in a season and now we have to replace him and we will do."
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Ten Hag is hoping to have Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Antony back for this weekend's contest, with the trio missing against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
"We will see tomorrow. They work at Carrington and then we will see how they recover and then we will pick a team," said Ten Hag when asked about their chances of being involved.
However, Raphael Varane, Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe will be missing for Man United, who will again face Villa in the EFL Cup next Thursday at Old Trafford.
The 20-time English champions will then travel to Fulham in the Premier League next Sunday, which will represent their final match before the campaign is halted for the 2022 World Cup.
Matt Law
