Gary Neville hails Manchester United's defence as the 'best in the league'

Chris Smalling is a key member of Van Gaal's defence

FORMER Manchester United captain Gary Neville has praised Louis van Gaal for making his side more "resilient and difficult to beat".

 

The Premier League leaders head to the Emirates on Sunday to face Arsenal in a top of the table clash.

United boast the joint strongest defence in the league and in attack Anthony Martial has provided a great pace and cutting edge.

But unsurprisingly for a former defender, Neville has been most impressed with the back four.

 

He told the Telegraph: "What United have been since last October to November is resilient, difficult to beat," Neville added. "Defensively they have the best record in the league along with Tottenham.

"There's a lot of very good things you see from United when defending. 

"How they move as a back four and as a midfield, the way in which they close the space down, keep compact, is as good as you will see. 

 

"There are a lot of teams who defend deep behind the ball and are compact, I'm talking about the way the team moves up the pitch and plays a very good line up the pitch.

"They're the best in the league I've seen at this time and that's great credit to Louis van Gaal.

"United at this moment in time can be more positive than they were three or four weeks ago."