Bassong was superb in the centre of Joe Kinnear's defence in Saturday's goalless draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, which followed the shut out away to Chelsea a week earlier.

But the 22-year-old – who has quickly made a name for himself at St James's Park after his low-key summer move from Metz – insists he is not interested in personal glory.

"I just try to do my best, and if I play well, it's good," Bassong told the Gazette.

"The important thing is that the team gets a good result, and we have done that again for the second week running.

"I just want to do my job. We defended very well, and we are happy with a point.

"Maybe we should have scored as well. We went to Middlesbrough to win, but a draw wasn't too bad for us.

"We played well and I think it's good for the team spirit."

Bassong had to wait for his chance in his preferred central defensive position, but he has taken his opportunity with both hands in Steven Taylor's absence through injury.

He went on: "I'm enjoying it, and very happy. Clean sheets are great for the team and especially for the defenders, because that is what we are paid to do. We are very proud about that."

Taylor – who had been a Premier League ever-present for United this season before injury struck – was an unused substitute at Middlesbrough.

And Bassong welcomes the increased competition for a place in Kinnear's back four.

"Competition is good for us," said Bassong. "It's good for me, Steven and all of the players.

"If you don't have competition, then you can't move forward. It means when people are in the team everybody wants to perform well, and that helps the team.

"We work in a good atmosphere, so it is not a big problem."