David de Gea hails Man United’s defensive depth after keeping a fourth consecutive clean sheet

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has claimed that “it doesn’t matter who’s playing” in the center of defense because of their defensive depth after retired Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof helped the Red Devils retain their fourth consecutive clean sheet.

United boss Erik ten Hag started Maguire and Lindelof against Bournemouth, with first-choice pairing Lisandro Martinez returning to the team following Argentina’s World Cup celebrations, and Raphael Varane leaving in the dock.

The Red Devils cruised to a 3-0 win over the Cherries at Old Trafford on Tuesday to record a fourth successive Premier League win and a ninth from 10 games in all competitions.

David de Gea has praised Manchester United’s defensive depth after another clean sheet

Harry Maguire marked his first league start since October with an assured display

Maguire and Lindelof were making just their fourth league start of the campaign, with the former named in the XI for the first time since October.

De Gea has praised the club’s defensive depth, and Luke Shaw has also been a successful substitute at left center in recent games.

‘It’s a great feeling [to keep a clean sheet]The whole team deserved it,’ De Gea told MUTV.

‘For example, we changed the centre-backs and they played very well, so it doesn’t matter who plays.

Victor Lindelof made just his fourth league start of the season in the win over Bournemouth

“We have the feeling that we are a great team, everyone is in the same direction, playing and training at 100 percent, it’s great to see the team like this.”

‘It’s huge for us no matter who plays the game.

“Everyone is ready to play and the substitutions today were also great. I feel very happy with all the players, we are doing very well.”

The result gave United their fourth consecutive clean sheet and eighth in the Premier League this season, matching the club’s comeback last season.

Manchester United began 2023 by recording their fourth consecutive Premier League win

Leaders Arsenal were the last team to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League in September.

Since then, United’s defense has excluded Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.

Ten Hag’s side have now kept a clean sheet in 10 of their last 14 matches in all competitions.

The win over Bournemouth saw United strengthen their position in the Champions League by establishing a five-point gap over fifth-placed Tottenham.

United moved within one point of rivals and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and are nine points behind table leaders Arsenal.