Manchester United had one of the best defensive records in the league this season, only conceding 37 goals, despite losing over 800 games of experience from veteran defenders like Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Antonio Valencia improved his defensive responsibilities at right-back, while Tyler Blackett showed promise with his long passing despite spending most of the season on the bench. Chris Smalling proved himself as a first-choice centre back through strong performances against top clubs and scoring against Manchester City. Marcos Rojo was favored by Louis van Gaal when fit and took over Rio Ferdinand's number, though Luke Shaw struggled with injuries and adapting to new attacking duties in his first season at Manchester United.

1. Even though Manchester United defence has been looking shaky at many
points in this season, especially at the start of the season when adapting to
Louis Van Gaal’s ‘wisdom’ United haveonly let in 37 goals this season. Only
Chelsea with 32 goals, Southampton with 33 goals and Arsenalwith 36 goals
had a better defensiverecord than Manchester United. Manchester United
have lost over 800 games of experience with Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and
Rio Ferdinand leaving the club the changeover was never going to be easy
Antonio Valencia had never had a bad season at Manchester United but has a
makeshiftright-back he has had his high and lows but he was always consistent
of Louis Van Gaal’s plans. Valencia had made the effortand improved with his
defensiveresponsibilities. He is looking the most composed when he playing
with the back four, and as a senior member of the squad he now has to lead by
example defensively even if his attacking playstyleisn’t whatit used to be.
Tyler Blackett had been given a surprisedebutin the firstgame of the season
even though they lost 2-1 to Southampton 2-1. Manchester United manager
Louis Van Gaal extremely likes the defender even if he was on the bench for
the majority of the season if he wasn’tplaying. Tyler Blackett is extremely
confident with the ball and his long range passing is an admirable attribute. He
also has pace and strength and it’s not beyond him to become a future England
International.
Chris Smalling is a firstteam centre back for Manchester united having helped
them win many games against clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and
Liverpool. Despite getting a red card in the firstmeeting with Manchester City
he more than proved him-self worthy of the job when in the second meeting
he scored a goal helping Manchester united beat their arch rivals 4-2. He has
shown countless times that he is strong, powerfuland quick, these are all the
attributes you need to be a top modern defender.
After Argentina lostvs Germany in the world cup manager Louis Van Gaal
made a decision of resting Marcos Rojo and he didn’t play till middle of
September when Manchester united beat QPR4-0. Rojo was oneof Louis Van

2. Gaal’s favouritethis season, when he was fit he often played. The argentine,
also took Rio Ferdinand’s number 5 and has an excellent startto his united
career.
Luke Shaw Manchester united career hasn’tbeen the best because this season
Shaw has gained many injuries making him the second choice for Louis van
Gaal. Shaw found it difficult to fit into his new role at Manchester United
because he is used to defending and not attacking but with his new role he had
to attack as well deal with his defensive responsibilities. He has had a standout
performanceagainstChelsea when he Manchester United lost 1-0, despite the
loss, LukeShaw showed Manchester United fans and the manager Louis van
gaal why they paid 27 million for him.