Former Man United defender explains 2 key reasons behind defensive improvement under Erik ten Hag

Mikael Silvestre says Manchester United’s huge defensive improvements under Erik ten Hag is down to two key reasons.

United have kept 13 clean sheets so far this season. Last term, they only kept 10 across the entire campaign.

The addition of Lisandro Martinez in the heart of the defence has been crucial for Ten Hag’s side. He’s created a great partnership with Raphaël Varane.

Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw have also had new leases of life under the Dutchman, as well as David de Gea in between the sticks.

However, whilst the defensive players are key in the improved clean sheet record, Silvestre also believes the entire team has played a large factor — something that was missing under previous management.

“First of all, in a 1-v-1 situation, the United defenders are much more solid and aggressive,” the five-time Premier League winner told bettingexpert. “And then as a unit, when they’ve played with the same back four for a series of games, they’ve shown that they are harder to beat than in previous seasons.”

“It’s not only the back four, I think everyone is committed to the defensive tasks which wasn’t the case earlier.”

“You have two World Cup winners (Martinez and Varane) in United’s defence, so it’s not bad.”

The Reds have kept four clean sheets in their last five games, with the only goal conceded being a blunder by De Gea in the FA Cup win against Everton.

Their resilience will be tested in the coming weeks, however, with three tough Premier League fixtures coming in quick succession.

Ten Hag’s men face the two teams at the summit of the division, with Manchester City coming to Old Trafford on the 14 January before The Reds travel to The Emirates to face leaders Arsenal on 22 January.

The Premier League have also rescheduled United’s away fixture against Crystal Palace in between these two games on 18 January.