7 Nov 2014 14:22:00
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has defended his side's defensive record this season and claims they have been better at the back than Premier League leaders Chelsea.United have conceded 14 goals from 10 Premier League matches and sit 10th in the table ahead of Saturday's home clash with Crystal Palace having made their worst start to a domestic season since 1986.
Only Everton have conceded more goals than Van Gaal's men in the top half of the table but the Dutchman insists he is happy with United's defending, claiming they would have a better defensive record than Chelsea had they not lost 5-3 at Leicester in September.
"I don't agree with your opinion of the defence [that United should be concerned]," Van Gaal told reporters.
"If you don't count the five goals at Leicester, we have better than Chelsea [10 goals conceded] 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's back four has been hit by a glut of injuries and suspensions, with Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Marcos Rojo out of Saturday's match and Chris Smalling serving a one-match suspension.
Van Gaal is expected to select midfielder Michael Carrick as a makeshift central defender against Palace, where he is likely to be partnered by either Tyler Blackett or Paddy McNair.
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