Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has claimed that his side's defensive record is not as bad as it has been made out to be.

The Red Devils came from behind to beat Southampton 3-2 at St Mary's on Sunday, which led Saints boss Ronald Koeman to suggest that United are weak at the back.

When asked if he felt that his team would need to score plenty of goals this season if the defence was not solid, Van Gaal told The Telegraph: "I don't agree with you.

"Have you seen the goal average against, also last season? All the media was writing the defence is very bad but at the end we were third in the Premier League. You say something and don't think about what you are saying."

United have conceded five goals in six Premier League games this season.

Written by
Steven Toplis