Gary Neville has claimed that Manchester United have become "resilient" under Louis van Gaal this season.
The Red Devils struggled to find their defensive shape in the early stages of last season under the Dutchman, but found their form towards the back end of the campaign to finish in the top four.
United have picked up from where they left off last season and have conceded five goals in their opening seven games, which has included four clean sheets.
Neville believes that the club's improvement at the back has allowed to be more expansive in their attacking play, pushing them into the top two at the start of the campaign.
"What United have been since last October to November is resilient, difficult to beat," Neville told Sky Sports News. "Defensively they have the best record in the league along with Tottenham.
"There's a lot of very good things you see from United when defending. How they move as a back four and as a midfield, the way in which they close the space down, keep compact, is as good as you will see.
"There are a lot of teams who defend deep behind the ball and are compact, I'm talking about the way the team moves up the pitch and plays a very good line up the pitch. They're the best in the league I've seen at this time and that's great credit to Louis van Gaal. United at this moment in time can be more positive than they were three or four weeks ago."
United face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium later today.
Simon Sinclair
