Solskjaer’s in high praise for solid Red wall

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer lavished praise on his United defenders after they recorded an eighth clean sheet in the last 10 games to help beat City.

The Reds boss reverted to a back three against the Blues with Luke Shaw at left centre-back alongside Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams at right and left wing-back.

He used the formation in the 1-0 win at City in the Carabao Cup in January and were successful using it twice at Chelsea.

Williams, 19, had not started in over two weeks but lined up in both of the January derbies, while Maguire (ankle) and Wan-Bissaka (back) recovered from injuries to make the XI.

The only goals United have conceded in their last 10 fixtures were Club Brugge’s opener in their Europa League round-of-16 first leg and from Dominic CalvertLewin’s block on a David de Gea goal kick at Everton.

“Eight in 10 and the two goals we conceded,” Solskjaer said. “One shouldn’t have been given – because the ball’s rolling; VAR’s there, Europa League.

“And David’s we know, so we’re getting there, we’re getting better. It’s a foundation to play from. I’ve got good players: Harry and Victor and David have been excellent. Eric [Bailly]’s come in and given us a challenge, Luke Shaw has been absolutely top class.

“Aaron... you can see his performance today and Brandon, the kid, is not fazed by anything. It’s just continuing work on the field, especially with Kieran [McKenna] and Michael [Carrick], the coaches have helped them a lot.

“Luke was voted player of the year last season by the players, but he is improving and he is a top boy that we want to give absolutely every opportunity to become the best he can be.

“For me he is potentially the best left-back in England and maybe even more. I have got faith in him [at left centre-back], definitely, and he still provides crosses and overlapping runs from there. I think he has been excellent there.”

Despite adding more feathers to his cap of big-game conquests by beating Pep Guardiola three times in as many months, Solskjaer was humble in accepting the acclaim.

“I haven’t beaten Pep three times, it is my players that have,” he said. “I believe in my capability of improving this club as much as I can.”

■ ANTHONY Martial says he is targeting a spot in France’s Euro 2020 squad, but only after he’s helped United achieve Champions League qualification this season. The United forward has enjoyed a resurgent spell of form in recent weeks, hitting a vital goal in Sunday’s derby win to take his season’s tally to 16 - 11 in the Premier League. When asked by French media outlet RMC Sport after the derby if he was targeting an international return, he said: “Yes, I’m thinking about it. I want to go to the Euros. We’ll see. I do my job, that’s all. “I’m trying to do my best to help United finish in the top four. I will try to score as many goals as possible to finish the season well.”