Herrera: Defence Is Key To Success

Manchester United registered a fifth clean sheet in six games in a 1-0 win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, something Ander Herrera says could be vital to the Reds' success this season.

Herrera came off the bench in the final minutes of the Champions League clash to help secure an important victory, one which has seen Louis van Gaal's side move to the top of Group B with two games remaining.

While recent focus has been on a lack of goals at the other end of the pitch, the latest shutout means United can claim not to have conceded in all competitions since the last meeting with the Russian side on 21 October.

"It’s a positive that we’re not conceding goals," Herrera told ManUtd.com. "We saw it last year with Chelsea; I don’t think they scored too many goals, but they didn’t concede many either. That’s important when you want to have a great season, you can’t give away many chances.

"I think we controlled the game against Moscow. We only conceded one chance, which was good. We also created 10 or 12 chances, which was also good – we want to control games and did that today."

As for the all-important winner at Old Trafford, the Spaniard admitted feeling relieved at seeing the ball hit the back of the net, and praised goalscorer Wayne Rooney for his contribution.

"Of course there was relief, but Wayne is one of our most important players. He’s our leader, our captain, and we’re happy when he scores. When he doesn’t score, he fights for the team and that helps a lot as well," he said.

"He’s very important, and I think he has a very strong mind. When he doesn’t score, he keeps fighting in the same way, and that’s important for us. I always say the same: he’s one of the best players in the world, one of the stars, and he’s not selfish. For us, it’s very important when he feels good. When he scores, of course it’s better for everyone, but if not he still fights.

"I can only say what I see, and what I see is that he gives everything. We say the same thing every day: he does a lot of things for the club and the team. Of course he’s one of the best in the world, his trajectory is unbelievable. The way he fights, the way he trains and the way he gives his opinion to the other players. Maybe those on the outside only see what’s on the pitch, but he’s also very important off it."

Herrera also had a kind word for the fans after the game, saying: "They show me their support every day, I am very thankful. They give me the strength to keep fighting and playing as well as possible. I want to give everything for this club."