Erik ten Hag pronounced Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as ‘dominant’ following Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The pair both came in as replacements following recent injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane. The victory means the Red Devils are on course to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
There had been some trepidation among United fans before the match as while Lindelof and Maguire had proven to be a competent partnership during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge, Martinez and Varane have subsequently proven themselves to be far superior under Dutchman Ten Hag this season.
However, despite Maguire suffering some nervy moments at the City Ground, the pair were able to help United claim a key victory away from home.
And the former Ajax manager, speaking to BBC Sport after the game, was full of praise for the duo, labelling them as ‘dominant’.
“It was a solid win. We were really focused and concentrated from start to finish,” said the 53-year-old, whose side have now amassed the most clean sheets in the whole of Europe’s top five leagues.
“[The defence] was very good, a really solid performance from all on the pitch today.
“The centre-backs had great cooperation, and the full-backs were brilliant in and out of possession, too.
“Harry [Maguire] and Victor [Lindelof] dominated their opponents.”
The United gaffer also explained his decision to place Maguire on the right side of defence, and Lindelof on the left.
“The angles are not good if Harry is playing on the left side, it is difficult for him. But I think he is more capable on the right,” he said.
“Victor can use both feet very good and I think he did a brilliant job in defence and in transition from [Brennan] Johnson.
“So that is why we prefer to do it with them in this way.”
Although Ten Hag’s side look on course for a cup treble this season, the gaffer is certainly not counting the chickens before they’re hatched, insisting his United side aren’t getting ahead of themselves and need to keep winning to make it a season to remember.