Manchester United: Bastian Schweinsteiger wants Red Devils to improve offensive play against defensive teams

Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has revealed one aspect of the game that the Red Devils need to improve following their hard fought win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (7 November). The German international maintains that despite improving in their efforts to break down teams, who defend with 10 men, like the Baggies did through most of the game, Louis van Gaal's team needs to improve on that aspect further.

The 20-time English champions had to wait until the second-half to break the resistance, and finally wrapped up the win during added time through a Juan Mata penalty. The Dutch manager also admitted that it was hard playing against a team hell bent on defending their outfield players, but refused to criticise Tony Pulis for his tactics.

The 31-year-old midfielder feels that United did a good job in the offensive department against West Brom, but maintained that while players understand the fans' desire to attack all the time, there are other tactics that can win the club matches and titles. However, he admitted that it is one area the team could improve in future matches, as defensively they have the best record in the league, as they kept their fifth consecutive clean sheet on Saturday.

"You recognise what the supporters are saying but football is not only attack. There are teams with different game styles and they also win titles. But especially in home matches we have to press and go forward," Schweinsteiger said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

"We did well offensively against West Brom. When you are playing a team who defend with ten men it is not easy to find the gaps. There is still room for improvement but we did improve on breaking a team down."

"Teams defending is not exclusive to England. In Munich it was exactly the same. It was difficult then with opponents defending heavily. I saw recently Bayern drew 0-0 at Frankfurt because Frankfurt were defending," he explained.

"It happens but you have to find solutions and this is where we can still improve to make it easier for ourselves," the German World Cup winner urged his teammates.