(Manchester United News)
PFA Players' Player of the Year nominee David De Gea may have been Manchester United's stand-out performer this term, but the goalkeeper insists his defensive team-mates deserve much of the credit.
Louis van Gaal's men have the third-best goals-against record in the Barclays Premier League, behind only Southampton and leaders Chelsea. De Gea believes the Reds' stability has been a vital ingredient in the side's recent good form and rise to third place in the table.
"I think a team is built on a sound defence and not conceding many goals and that’s what we’re managing to do at the moment," De Gea told MUTV. "We’re defending better and bringing the ball out from the back better too. That increases confidence throughout the team as well and helps us to score more goals."
De Gea and his defence's next challenge comes at Stamford Bridge in this afternoon's late kick-off (Saturday 17:30 BST) with the Reds in buoyant mood after the deserved victory over Manchester City.
"It’s true that winning the derby at home has been great for us confidence-wise," De Gea added. "Now we have another massive game coming up on Saturday, it will be tough but we are eager to try to pick up all three points.
"We’re on a good run of victories right now against some difficult opponents and, of course, that gives the whole squad a lot of confidence and belief. We’ve just got to carry on in the same vein, continue playing the same way and competing just as well, and I believe that the wins will keep on coming."
