Defender Harrison McGahey spoke to the media following his return to action in midweek at Port Vale and also previewed the match against Morecambe on Saturday.
The centre-back returned to the team for the first time in two months on Tuesday, following a hamstring injury sustained at Crawley and then having to self-isolate after the club's COVID-19 situation.
He said: “It was a tough game, obviously it's massive pitch at Vale Park. My legs are tired now but I'm sure I'll be fine and ready to go again for the weekend.
"I was surprised (to start), I didn't know the team, but no-one knew it until the gaffer told us. But when he chose me, I knew I was ready.”
Talking about his beginning to the season, he said it’s not been the start that he hoped for, adding: “Obviously getting injured and then having to self-isolate does your head in really, but you've got to deal with it and move on."
Summing up the win in midweek, he commented: “It was tough, we didn't really pass the ball as a team but as you can see, they didn't break us down one bit, apart from an opportunity at the end, which was a half-chance and we dealt with it.
“It was just one that we needed to get really. It's all about the result and doesn't matter how we play, it’s three points on the table and a clean sheet.”
United now have two clean sheets in succession following the 2-0 win at Oldham last weekend, but McGahey mentioned that now particular players have returned from injury there is a lot more confidence in the squad.
He said: “Jordan Clarke coming back is a massive one, and obviously Mark Howard has come in with a lot of games behind him.
"Junior has a lot of experience, and then there's obviously myself. I've played a few games myself so it’s what you need as a defence really.
“We still had another chance early in the second-half (at Port Vale) where we hit the post, which would have been nice to go in because it would have relieved pressure for us, but it's a 1-0 win away from home - we’ll take that all day.”
He added: “The gaffer said that he wanted us to counter-attack there and I think we did that. The goal was majorly a counter-attack, with a great pass from Mark Howard and then obviously Abo Eisa with an unbelievable finish. We then just defended really, but then we had the chance with Ryan Loft.”
The next two games are at home against Morecambe and Bolton respectively, and United are looking to build up the points tally and climb the table.
McGahey said: “I think it will be a totally different game back home, so we will be pressing them high, getting forward more, with the full-backs getting higher, and hopefully we can build on what we've done away."
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