Paul Scholes insists defence is key to Man City and Man United's Premier League battle

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  • All the talk in the Premier League this season has been about the Manchester clubs’ electric attacks – but United legend Paul Scholes insists the title race will boil down to who has the best defence.

    Both Manchester City and United have established themselves from the rest of the Premier League’s pack after smashing in 21 and 17 goals respectively for a return of 16 points.

    Given that attacking power their defensive records have been overlooked but they are equally impressive, having conceded just two goals apiece.

    This weekend should bring City’s first real test as they head to London to take on reigning champions Chelsea, while United take on bitter rivals Liverpool on October 14.

    But Scholes, speaking in Dubai’s Al Wasl Club on the sidelines of the ongoing Premier Futsal finals, believes the winners will be the team whose defence copes with the better opposition to come.

    “They have both got pace in the side and I think it will come down to who is the best defensively – who concedes the fewest goals,” said Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles with the Red Devils in a career spanning two decades.

    “I don’t think either team have been really tested against a top team yet. City played Liverpool but they had Sadio Mane sent off, so that was game over really. They’ve had tough ones against Everton, United against Southampton away, but they still haven’t played big games yet and then we’ll see.”

    Scholes’ old team have dramatically improved on this season’s evidence so far as Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have immediately gelled in the middle while Romelu Lukaku is spearheading a new and improved attack.

    With Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick also strong options in the middle, United can claim to have their most potent midfield since Scholes and Roy Keane were patrolling the park together.

    Pogba’s injury has created a hitch in Jose Mourinho’s plans for now – yet Scholes believes the current crop share similarities to his own trophy-winning era.

    “It wasn’t just me and Roy, there was Juan Veron, it was Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs could play in midfield. I think (Mourinho) has that same kind of squad now – there’s Herrera who can’t get a game, Michael Carrick who is not getting a game,” explained Scholes.

    “He can mix and match but for now it looks like Matic and Pogba when he gets fit and that midfield should be as good as any.”

    Pogba had to weather critics as his performances did not match the £89m (Dh438m) price tag United splurged last season, but according to Scholes, Matic’s reassuring presence has breathed new life into the Frenchman.

    “The addition of Matic has helped Pogba and has given him that bit of freedom,” added Scholes, who is captaining Bengaluru Royals in the Premier Futsal finals. “He’s scored a couple of goals already, a couple of assists. Hopefully his injury is not as serious as it could be – we’re possibly talking about an operation so hopefully that’s not the case – and he’ll be back soon.

    “There was always going to be a settling in period for him, I think there were two or three players along with him that took a little bit of time to settle down.”

    The Premier Futsal finals are taking place in Dubai until Sunday, October 1. Deco, Ronaldinho, Ryan Giggs and Michel Salgado are also featuring.

    Day tickets are priced from Dh50-500, with packages available from Dh150-1,650.

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