David Silva is behind more goals than any other midfielder, having a total of 17 goals and assists, followed by Gareth Bale on 16. Nani and Mata are tied on 13, Valencia and Nasri on 10, Giggs with 9 and Young on 7. However, when you take in to consideration the games they’ve actually played in, specifically focussing on starts, Giggsy comes out top with an impressive 1.13 goals scored or created per each start. This is followed by Valencia with 0.83, Silva on 0.81, Bale on 0.73, Nasri on 0.67, Nani on 0.65, Young on 0.64 and Mata on 0.62.

Penalties from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov either side of half time on transfer deadline day lead Manchester United on their way to 3 points as Manchester City were being beat at Everton thanks to a strike from former Red Devil Darron Gibson.  Chelsea had some fortune in scrapping a stoppage time equaliser at Swansea City.

Chelsea head into this fixture on the back of two draws in the league, without regular first teamers John Terry, Ashley Cole, Ramires.  Frank Lampard remains a doubt.

In 39 previous Premier League meetings, Chelsea lead the head-to-head record with 13 victories to Manchester United’s 12 (with 14 draws).  In fact, you have to go back to April 2002 when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side last won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the goals that day, in a pre-Roman Abramovich era match against Chelsea.  Both John Terry and Frank Lampard played 90 minutes for the Blues that day, managed by Claudio Ranieri.

Earlier this season, Manchester United tore Chelsea apart in the opening 45 minutes as they cruised into a 3-0 half time lead.  Chelsea improved in the second half and would have been back in the game but a miss of the season candidate from Fernando Torres.  The 3-1 victory was Andre Villas-Boas’ first defeat as Chelsea manager following his move from FC Porto.

Including last season’s Champions League quarter final meetings, Manchester United have won the last 4 meetings with Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson has the tough choice of choosing between Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck to play up front on Sunday.  The latter 3 strikers have found the back of the net in 2012, whilst Rooney is without a goal since December 21 in the 5-0 thrashing of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Manchester United are averaging 2.43 goals per game through 23 games, compared to Chelsea’s 1.78.  United have conceded just 7 goals on their travels this season; a league low at this point.  To give you an idea how well the 4 strikers are playing this season, no Liverpool player has scored more goals in the league so far this season.

Antonio Valencia has been a star player for Manchester United during the recent run of form.  The Ecuadorian winger unselfishly setup Danny Welbeck’s winner at the Emirates a fortnight ago and then won the second penalty against Stoke midweek.  The ex-Wigan star won’t be facing Chelsea’s first choice left full back on Sunday as Ashley Cole misses the tie through suspension.

Defensively for Manchester United, Phil Jones looks set to remain absent.  Patrice Evra, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans are all available – these three played alongside Jones in the 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.  Rafael and Rio Ferdinand are available for Sir Alex Ferguson to call upon should he wish to.

David de Gea is due back for this tie having missed the midweek game.  The Spaniard was between the sticks when Chelsea visited Old Trafford in September, making 6 saves and being beaten only by Fernando Torres.  The former Atletico Madrid stopper has yet to feature in the Premier League in 2012, but did feature in the FA Cup loss to Liverpool.  Anders Lindegaard has been Sir Alex’s first choice in 5 of Manchester United’s last 7 league games, but an ankle injury for the Dane is expected to rule him out for the whole of February.

Stat of the day: Fernando Torres has picked up more yellow cards than scored goals for Chelsea

———-
Follow Barrie on Twitter and read his football blog.

It’s interesting to see that, despite all our complaints, that we’ve only bettered our current points total on 21 games on just one occasion in recent years, back in 2006/2007. Even if you didn’t take in to account the fact our injury list has been far worse than our title rivals, Manchester City, to be three points off the top at this stage in the season is a good position to be in. When you think even in 2007/2008, when we had that magical team we always rave about, our points total was identical to what it is now with a worse goal difference to the one we’ve amounted this season, it’s fairly incredible.

This doesn’t mean an awful lot where this year’s title race is concerned and I’m not trying to argue that because we’re three points better off than we were this time last season that we’ll certainly go on to win the league this season. Whether you win the title is obviously dependent on the strength of your title rivals, which is why 80 points was enough to win it last season but we needed 90 points to win it two seasons earlier.

However, for all our moaning, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to take a step back and give this current team the recognition they deserve. We’re not at full strength, there are areas we want to see new signings put in to, yet here they are on a level with the 07/08 team in terms of points.

It does make you wonder where we would be without the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Tom Cleverley out for months, or if we had bought that special midfielder we were all hoping for in the summer…

The Dane, who caught people’s attention when he kept 5 clean sheets in his first 5 Premier League starts has saved 84.28% of shots he’s faced this season.

In comparison, David de Gea has saved 76.71%. Both Manchester United goalkeepers are well-above the league average 69.47%.

David de Gea has only conceded 2 goals outside the penalty area in the league this season. Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny has conceded 6 from 18+ yards, form Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard has conceded 4, and Blackburn’s Paul Robinson leads the league having conceded 12 from long range already this season.

Anders Lindegaard averages a goal conceded every 2 games (180 minutes). The next nearest to him in that category is Liverpool’s Jose Reina who concedes a goal on average every 100 minutes in the Premier League.

———-
Follow Barrie on Twitter and read his football blog.

Is this season exceptional for injuries, compared to what United typically experience? Is it bad compared to our major competitors? And what about United’s injury record over the longer term – exactly how does that stack up? With those questions in mind, I trundled my mouse over to physioroom.com, captured whatever data was available, pumped it into Microsoft Excel and run the numbers. What I found was generally good news about our longer term record—but it definitely confirms our worst fears about the current season.

Overview

Data is available for all current PL clubs back to August 2002. However, I focused on only six clubs: United, Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and City. Partly, this was because of the effort (though now it’s reasonably quick to add another club). More importantly, though, the number of injuries is bound to be affected by how many matches a club plays, and most clubs typically have a significantly lighter schedule than us (since most are not regularly in Europe and do not go far in the various domestic cups). In terms of schedule, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs are probably most comparable to us; and of course, I included City, for obvious reasons.

For each injury, the data includes the player’s name, a brief description of the type of injury, and the date reported. Unfortunately, it does not include the date that the player returned to action. I had been hoping to calculate how many matches each injury cost that player, but it wasn’t possible. Consequently, I wasn’t able to determine whether our injuries are generally more or less severe than those at other clubs.

However, I was able to break the data down into major categories of injury (Ankle, Calf, Hip etc) and I was also able to analyze the data both by calendar year and by season (for the season dates, I counted each season from July 1, since the actual start date moves around, and injuries also occur between seasons).

The Bottom Line

So what of it? How do United fare?

In regards to our current plight, the answer can be summed in one word: bloody shithouse (OK, make that two words). Looking first at the calendar year 2011, already we have reported 65 injuries, making it our third-worst year (since the beginning of 2003), and we still have a handful of matches remaining this year. Our worst year in that period was 2009, when we had 71 injuries, but just one more injury this year will equal our second-worst (66 in 2004). Incidentally, our average for a full calendar year is 56.625, so we are already way above that. Our best year was 2005, with 41.

However, when we break the data down by season, the picture looks dramatically worse.

The data includes nine full seasons (2002-03 to 2010-11) plus this season’s partial data. On average over the nine full seasons, we have reported 57.1 injuries. Our worst season was 2002-03, with 74, and our best was 2005-06, with 46. Last season, we had 60, slightly worse than average.

This season, though, we are already at 40, and the season is not yet at the half-way mark. Although it is difficult to calculate, a rough estimation shows that if we keep going at the current rate, we could end the season with well over 100 injuries. Of course, there’s no way to know for sure. However, when I did the same estimation for the other teams, most actually do appear to be on track for what you would expect based on their history. Only ours and Arsenal’s are wildly out of whack, indicating that we both may be heading for very bad seasons in terms of injury.

I also counted the number of injuries we report each season, between July 1 and December 7. On average, over the previous nine seasons, we reported 27 injuries during that period. This year, as I have already said, it is 40, which is a record for that period. Any way you look at it, this is a horror season.

However, as discussed in the next section, the good news is that United actually seem to be doing OK in the longer term. Our record isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst either – about middle of the pack, in fact. (And our figures look even better when you exclude City, who, as we know, have not generally had a busy schedule until recently.)

The Details

And so, to the details.

1. Number of injuries, by calendar year

* The Average, Best and Worse figures exclude 2002 and 2011, which are both incomplete years.

2. Number of injuries, by season

* The Average, Best and Worse figures exclude 2011-12, which is incomplete.

An analysis of the seasonal data raises a couple of interesting points. First of all, while commonsense might suggest that the rate of injuries increases as we get deeper into a season, the data suggests otherwise. In six of the previous nine seasons, 48% or more of injuries had occurred by this date (December 7), even though a typical season is less than 40% done by then.

Secondly, the average number of injuries suffered by this stage of a season is only 27. We are way above that, with 40. In the period 2002-03 to present, we have never had as many injuries by this stage of a season. Last season, the figure was 32. The season before, it was 36—and both those seasons included the long-term injury to Hargreaves (who hardly counts as a seasonal injury).

3. Types of Injuries

This table shows the percentage of injuries that fall into each category (for example, 21.5% of our injuries were ankle/foot injuries). I did not include all types of injuries, and although I did tabulate this data for all six clubs, I am only including the data for United and the Average here. In general we have held up pretty well—we are slightly better than average in some areas, slightly worse in others. The biggest concern would be ankle injuries, which occur at almost 2% higher than the average rate (especially since this is such a large category for football). Our calf injuries are also running at slightly above the average rate, and perhaps it is worth noting that tackling is one of the main causes of lower-leg injuries generally. Perhaps we aren’t getting as much protection from the referees as some ABUs would have us believe!

On the other hand, we have done well in back injuries (despite Rio’s problems) and groin injuries. We have also done well in shoulder injuries (something I was previously concerned about): although the data shows we are about average, Rafael da Silva’s shoulder problems actually contribute a large proportion of those. When you remove them from the equation, our figures are way better than the average.

(By the way, Arsenal suffer twice as many shoulder injuries as anyone else, and more than three times as many as some. If I was an Arsenal supporter or coach, I would be asking questions about that, especially since shoulder injuries are relatively rare for footballers. But since I am not an Arsenal supporter or coach, I don’t give a shit.)

Overall, though, Arsenal have by far the worst record of the six clubs, in total number of injuries, seasonal averages or annual averages. The Gunners’ season average of 67 is worse than the maximum ever recorded by three of the clubs. Their minimum (57) is as high as our average and almost as high as several teams’ maximum. And looking at the type of injuries they suffer doesn’t offer many clues: apart from the anomaly I mentioned about shoulder injuries, the other categories all seem in line (in terms of percentage). It is not as if, for example, they suffer a disproportionate percentage of lower-leg injuries. Quite simply, their players get injured more often, in every way, and have been doing so over a long period of time.

Conclusion

Although the available data (which comes from physioroom.com) has some limitations, it does provide some comfort by showing that in general, our record is about average. However, Liverpool, Chelsea and City have been consistently and significantly better, and that’s a point of interest.

In City’s case, that may partially be explained by their lighter schedule in previous seasons. However, it should be noted that their rates this season, and this calendar year, are both extremely low—only 12 so far this season, and 30 for the calendar year to date. (I am sure you will join me in hoping their luck runs out sooner rather than later.)

But it is undeniable that, so far, this season has been our worst, and if the current rate continues, it will be our worst by a very large margin.

Following the game, Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for our Mexican striker.

“Hernandez did it again,” said Ferguson. “When you see the goal he was strangled by Martin Skrtel but he managed to free himself. His goals-per-game ratio is fantastic. You always think he can score. That is the great thing about him.”

Chicharito has now scored 9 goals in 21 substitute appearances for United, meaning he has scored in 43% of all games he’s played in after coming off the bench. His current record is 2.3 times better than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s.

——-
Stats from OSullivanMUFC

United were a few matches behind everyone else at the turn of the year after taking time out to compete in and win the FIFA World Club Cup. By the time we returned, Liverpool were at the top of the table. Then one afternoon, Rafael Benitez flipped his lid, went to a match day press conference with a piece of paper with ‘facts’ about Sir Alex Ferguson and set us up for a fantastic end to the season.

That weekend, Liverpool drew 0-0 at Stoke and United beat Chelsea 3-0, moving five points behind Benitez’s team, but with two games in hand. Four months later we equalled their record of 18 league titles.

The following season, Liverpool finished 7th, 22 points behind United, and Benitez left the club by “mutual consent”, although reportedly settled for a £6m pay out by the club.

Benitez then inherited Jose Mourinho’s Treble winning Inter Milan team but was sacked a few months in to the job after falling 13 points behind AC Milan in the league. He has been out of work since but that hasn’t dampened his feelings for our manager.

Ahead of today’s game against Liverpool, Benitez was asked about the importance of Sir Alex Ferguson in United’s recent dominance. Hilariously, the Spaniard claimed our 12 league titles, 2 European Cups, 5 FA Cups and 4 League Cups are not a product of Ferguson’s genius, rather the money we have spent.

“No, I think it’s the money they were spending,” he said. “If you analyse the transfer record and the history, Rooney, or Ferdinand, for example, £30 million for a young player or a centre back. Every year they are very well-off. It’s not just because of the interviews or the press conferences; it’s because they had money.”

It won’t come as a surprise to you that this statement is as factual as his loony rant back in 2009. Benitez spent £301m on gross transfers over six years at Liverpool, recouping £144m. During the same period of time, Fergie spent £231m and recouped £178m.

Liverpool fans would argue that Benitez had to rebuild the squad, which explains why he spent more money, even if that does little to support Benitez’s claims that we were the club spending all the money. Still, if you look at the five years before Benitez got the Liverpool job, the spending is comparable.

Stats from AndersRed

Regardless, if Ferguson’s personality doesn’t come in to United’s success, if it’s just down to money, you would be under the impression that United have spent more than any other club, right? Wrong, obviously.

Stats from Transfer League

He’s cracking up, he’s cracking up, he’s cracking, Rafa’s cracking up!

1993-94: Blackburn £8.65m (2nd); champions Manchester United £3.75m.

1994-95: Everton £10.9m (15th); champions ­Blackburn £6.8m.

1995-96: Newcastle £14.78m (2nd); champions Manchester United £750,000.

1996-97: Newcastle £16.5m (2nd); champions Manchester United £7.5m.

1997-98: Newcastle £21m (13th); champions Arsenal £16.55m.

1998-99: Manchester United biggest spenders with £27.75m and also ­champions.

1999-2000: Liverpool £36.3m (4th); ­champions Manchester United £10m.

2000-01: Leeds £38.45m (4th); ­champions Manchester United £7.8m.

2001-02: Manchester United £57m (3rd); champions Arsenal £23.25m.

2002-03: Manchester United biggest spenders with £33m and also champions.

2003-04: Chelsea £121m (2nd); champions Arsenal £13.25m.

2004-05: Chelsea biggest spenders with £89m and also champions.

2005-06: Chelsea biggest spenders with £63.4m and also champions.

2006-07: Chelsea £64m; champions Manchester United £18.6m.

2007-08: Manchester United biggest spenders with £52.125m and also ­champions.

2008-09: Manchester City £113m (10th); ­champions Manchester United £46.75m.

2009-10: Manchester City £124m (5th); ­champions Chelsea £23.5m.

2010-2011: Manchester City £155m (3rd); champions Manchester United £27m

2011-2012: Manchester City £84m; champions….?

Whilst credit has to go to the manager for buying so well, you can’t help but wonder just how successful we might have been since 2005 if not held back by the Glazers.

United are the “most valuable sporting franchise” in the world, according to Forbes, so why is that 13 teams in the Premier League alone have larger nett spends than us? You can only imagine how many football teams there are across Europe with larger nett spends, then across the world.

A point often raised is the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, which I struggle to get my head around. We signed a teenager this country’s press and rival fans dubbed a “one trick pony” then we turned him in to the best player in the world. We made £67ish million on him because of that. Regardless, any other club who made that amount of money on a player would then go and spend it. The fact that United haven’t emphasises the point regarding the Glazers and how they have held us back.

Money spent

Manchester City have spent £291,370,000 more than us. Their nett spend is £366,670,000 more than ours.
Liverpool have spent £88,940,000 more than us. Their nett spend is £34,510,000 more than ours.
Spurs have spent £66,000,000 more than us. Their nett spend is £81,750,000 more than ours.
Chelsea have spent £35,200,000 more than us. Their nett spend is £84,250,000 more than ours.

We’ve spent £79,150,000 more than Arsenal. Our nett spend is £41,300,000 more than theirs.

Trophies won

United: 4 league titles, 1 European Cup, 2 League Cups.
Chelsea: 1 league title, 3 FA Cups, 1 League Cup
Liverpool: 1 FA Cup
City: 1 FA Cup
Spurs: 1 League Cup
Arsenal: Nothing

It’s good to see us splashing the cash this summer, it’s long overdue. With three European Cup finals in four years, we can only dream of how many more trophies we could have had to our name if not for the constraints put on our spending by our owners.

LOVE UNITED HATE GLAZER

————–
All stats from TransferLeague.co.uk