Resolute Reds Defence Stands Firm

Super-sub Juan Mata may grab the headlines, but it is worth noting this afternoon's encounter with Crystal Palace saw the eighth different Manchester United centre-back pairing of the season.

Combine that statistic with the fact United had kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 games at Old Trafford and I, like many United fans, was a little worried when I saw the diminutive figure of Daley Blind partnering the inexperienced Paddy McNair in the middle.

Many will have been surprised at Louis van Gaal’s selection of Blind ahead of Michael Carrick at centre-back, but those who know the boss well will have recognised he prefers a left-footed centre-half alongside a right footer, hence the selection of Blind, partnering McNair.

Yes, there were a few scares, most notably when Fraizer Campbell latched onto a long, hopeful ball over the top to split the duo wide open before looping over, but largely, the Reds' patched-up defence did well.

The stand-out at the back for me was McNair. He perhaps started slowly with an early stray pass but he instantly responded, strolling out of defence and playing an inch-perfect pass to Robin van Persie to create a half chance. McNair, who mostly sat as the deep-lying defender with Blind offering the extra man pushing into midfield, coped well with the speedy Campbell. The Northern Irishman again impressed when driving out of defence, feeding Wayne Rooney, who curled narrowly wide. His positional play and strength in the air showed real promise and he was replaced with a standing ovation on the 90-minute mark.

Blind who played at left full-back in van Gaal’s World Cup reign, looked assured at centre-back alongside McNair, despite his lack of height. Comfortable on the ball as we all know, he moved into midfield permanently towards the latter stages, only to revert to his original position in the dying seconds when McNair departed.

Van Gaal’s selection was vindicated with Carrick returning with an ever-so-assured performance. Along with McNair and Luke Shaw, Carrick was one of United’s top performers. He kept the midfield ticking along nicely, before, as mentioned, swapping positions with Blind for the last quarter of the game, perhaps feeling the effects of his first full 90 minutes of the season.

Carrick, who has recently been named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, continually broke up play and provided solid cover to the rather inexperienced central defensive partnership. Van Gaal will certainly be pleased to have Carrick back fit.

Prior to the game, Palace had scored more goals from set-pieces than any other top-flight team with eight this season, but United dealt with the majority of dead-ball situations well. Likewise, there were positive signs from Shaw who again looked dangerous going forward as well as solid in defence. He tested keeper Julian Speroni in the first half as a driving run and shot was thwarted via a great save from the Palace stopper. Antonio Valencia was also strong against the dangerous Yannick Bolasie and deputised for the injured Rafael admirably.

Manchester United haven’t lost a league game to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford since December 1989. A month earlier to that very weekend, the Berlin Wall fell and, thanks to the solid Reds' patched-up defence, not to mention Mata’s second half strike, that stat lives on.