Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has claimed ‘it doesn’t matter who is playing’ at centre back due to their defensive depth, after the recalled Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof helped the Red Devils record a fourth consecutive clean sheet.
United boss Erik ten Hag opted to start Maguire and Lindelof against Bournemouth after recovering from illness, with first choice pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane left on the bench.
The Red Devils eased to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Tuesday to record a fourth straight victory in the Premier League and a ninth in 10 games in all competitions.
Maguire and Lindelof’s were making just their fourth league starts of the campaign, with the former named in the eleven for the first time since October.
De Gea has hailed the club’s defensive depth, with Luke Shaw having also deputised successfully at left centre back in recent matches.
‘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 really well, so it doesn’t matter who is playing.
‘We have the feeling we are a great team, everyone is in the same direction, playing and training 100 per cent, it’s great to see the team like this.
‘It’s massive for us, it does not matter who plays the game.
‘Everyone is ready to play and the substitutions today were also great, I feel really happy with all the players, we are doing really well.’
The result gave United their fourth consecutive clean sheet and their eighth in the Premier League this season – matching the club’s return last season.
Leaders Arsenal were the last side to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League back in September.
United’s defence has since shut out Newcastle, Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
Ten Hag’s side have now kept clean sheets in 10 of their last 14 matches in all competitions.
Victory over Bournemouth strengthened saw United strengthen their hold of a Champions League spot, as they established a five-point gap over fifth-placed Tottenham.
United moved to within a point of rivals and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City and are nine points behind table-toppers Arsenal.