Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has praised his side’s team spirit and defensive resolve this season.
The Red Devils are currently on 17-match unbeaten run in the Premier League stretching back to last October.
Jose Mourinho’s side have only seven defeats across 46 matches in all competitions and when asked by United’s official magazine – Inside United – what makes them so are hard to beat, Martial said it’s down to a strong team spirit which aided them in their recent EFL Cup final win over Southampton.
“We didn’t play that well but, you know, that spirit was always there,” said Martial.
“We didn’t want to lose, we wanted to win at all costs. And we managed to do that by really applying ourselves to the task.
On what has changed since Louis van Gaal was in charge, he added: “I think we are a lot more compact.
“Much more solid. We’re enjoying our football and we always go out to win, and are determined that we’re not going to lose. I think that’s where our strength is coming from this season.”
The numbers support Martial’s hypothesis as United are averaging per 90 less defensive errors (0.27) compared to last season (0.37).
Mourinho, who is renowned for his pragmatism, has seen his side average more clearances (32.23) than they managed under Louis van Gaal in his final year (21.47) as Old Trafford boss.
United currently boast the third best defensive record in the Premier League, having conceded 22 goals in 26 matches, and much is to do with their improvement when it comes to intercepting (16.50 per 90 compared to 15.55 in 2015/16).
Martial himself appears to have bought into Mourinho’s ideas, despite a well-documented tension between the two earlier in the season. He is winning more tackles per 90 compared to last season, with a higher pass completion rate thus boasting a better defensive score.
Next up for the French international, who missed United’s recent FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, and his teammates is their Europa League second-leg against Russian outfit FC Rostov. The tie is level at 1-1, but United importantly have an away goal.
They then travel to Middlesbrough on Sunday in the league.
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