Harry Maguire insists he never thought Manchester United would lose to bitter rivals and neighbours Manchester City.
United took the bragging rights for the third time this season with a 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola's men at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Goals from Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay helped United climb to fifth in the table to remain hot on the heels of Chelsea in the race to secure Champions League qualification.
City dominated possession, but Maguire admits Guardiola's side never looked like scoring or causing them problems at the back.
The United captain said: "In terms of the game and the way it panned out when they had the ball, we as a back-line, I didn't feel under threat.
Roy Keane has theory behind Anthony Martial's Man Utd goal run
Owen Hargreaves overheard Man Utd's backroom coaches' Man City prediction
"I didn't feel there was any need for me to start telling the full-backs or centre-halves to start jumping more, or trying to start putting pressure on higher up the pitch, because we were 1-0 up and didn't feel under threat in terms of them creating chances.
"We don't want to be a team that doesn't have a lot of the ball. We want to be a team that controls the game, especially at home. It is something we can work on. But they created pretty much nothing and it was a solid display.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reaction to Man Utd's Fernandes 'shushing' Pep Guardiola
"Don't get me wrong – we can play better than that. We know that. We can play better on the ball especially. Without the ball, we pressed them really well, the midfield and forwards ran tirelessly for the team and didn't give them a sniff to get their head up and create a chance."
United are unbeaten in ten games and have kept clean sheets in eight of those.
Maguire believes United are building from the back and have become a team that is hard to beat.
Read More
Today's top football stories on Daily Star
Wilson responds to fans over coat Lampard warns Chelsea over Fernandes Sancho drops Man Utd transfer hint L'pool 'to make millions' from 2016 deal
He added: "We need to build on clean sheets. It is a foundation. If we keep a clean sheet, it is a cliche, but if you keep a clean sheet, it gives you every chance of going on and winning the game.
"Defensively, all season, we have not been a team that has been all over the place and conceding numerous chances. We have never been that team.
"We have conceded sloppy goals at sloppy moments. Set-plays, long-range shots, special goals but, lately, we have cut it out. We have been defending set-plays and I can tell you that is a big bonus. It is the key to start picking up good results and that is what we have done."
Source: Read Full Article