Manchester United can be easy to defend against, says Meulensteen

Posted Monday, February 10, 2014 by Goal.com

Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen has praised his side’s defending after their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The visitors took the lead through Steve Sidwell but looked to be heading for defeat after goals by Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick gave David Moyes’ side the lead.

A stoppage time strike by Darren Bent rescued a point for the Premier League’s bottom side in a game in which Manchester United put in 81 crosses, but Meulensteen feels his men were not too troubled by the Red Devils.

“I don't think there was any lack of belief,” he told reporters. “Their gameplan was quite straightforward. It was get it wide, get it in. We defended it well.

“If you're well organised and the goalkeeper is in good positions, then it can be easy. You need creativity, variety to open them up.

“They haven't picked up the points in the games where they should have picked up the points.

“I think they produced everything he wanted to see the team produce. You look at the amount of crosses and shots. You know that was quite clear from the off. We tried to deal with it. I think in the first half we did fairly well. I can't recall a big, big chance for them in the first half. They put the crosses in.”

Meulensteen also feels that teams no longer have the fear factor when coming to Old Trafford, with the champions having lost four times in the league at home already this season.

“I do think a few teams have come here with a different sort of approach,” he added.

“Certain teams have come here, done well and got something. I do think there's a little bit of that.

“In the dressing room after for the players, it felt like a win. Hopefully this gives us a good base to kick on.”