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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that they have defended better than Chelsea this season if the 5-3 loss at Leicester City was not counted.
Even though United have not been able to form a consistent, solid back four this season, Van Gaal claims that they have been defensively solid in the 10 games they have played this season.
With the likes of Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Rafael being hit with injuries over the first couple of months of the season, academy stars Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett have made their breakthrough in the first-team.
United better than Chelsea if Leicester game is not counted: Van Gaal
The Red Devils have conceded 14 goals in their first 10 games of the season, but 5 of those came against Leicester. Van Gaal believes United have been more solid than Chelsea who have conceded 10 goals in their first 10 games.
“I don't agree with your opinion of the defence,” Van Gaal said.
“If you don't count the five goals at Leicester, we have been better than Chelsea I believe. That's not the problem, the balance is.
“That is why I have remodelled the structure of my team. Now I have to solve the problems of the injuries every week, that's another story.”
United needs three years to be successful: Van Gaal
Manchester United have had their worst start to the season ever since 1986-87, with just 13 points from 10 games, and a lot of blame is going to their defence.
Van Gaal also lamented: “I'm feeling lousy for everyone that we have 13 points from 10 games. When I want to select the same line-up, I cannot. It's the same every week.”
"As I have said from the beginning, even when we won five games in the US, the process shall take more than one year.
“It shall take three years, I hope, though that is dependent on lots of things. But I think we will make it happen, that we will win a lot of matches.”
