Sir Alex Ferguson has understandably spoke down Manchester United’s chances of winning the Premier League with 17 games remaining, but the reality is that his side have a 7-point lead just over the half way point of the season.
One of two English sides remaining in the Champions League, and an FA Cup replay against West Ham to come, the fixtures will come thick and fast for the record English champions.
Summer signing Robin van Persie has been a crucial part for the league leaders, top scorer in England’s top flight with 16 goals.
Here is a full run through of how Manchester United players have performed in the Premier League to this point:
Defending
Manchester United’s defence has shown weaknesses this season, conceding 28 goals through 21 games; more than any other side in the top half of the table. The league leaders have only kept 5 clean sheets in the Premier League to date, and 2 of these have come in their last 2 games.
Tackling
Patrice Evra has only missed 90 this season; a 4-0 victory at home to Wigan in September in which Alexander Büttner played the full-game and scoring in the process. The French full back leads the team in tackles this season, as well as minutes played.
Rafael has made 4 tackles less than the full back on the opposite side. The tenacious Brazilian has been throwing himself into challenges time and time again.
Aerial Duels
As well as leading the team in tackles, Patrice Evra also leads the team in aerial duels won. The left back has been winning aerial challenges in his left back position and from set pieces. Standing at 5’8”, Evra has won 73% of his aerial duels this season – more than both of Stoke City’s centre backs who are renowned for their aerial ability; Robert Huth (66%) and Ryan Shawcross (62%).
Nemanja Vidic has won 71% of his aerial duels this season, although fellow centre backs Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand have been less successful, winning only 55% each.
Interceptions
Playing in the centre of midfield, Michael Carrick has picked off the most passes from the opposition this season, with 39 interceptions for Manchester United. Full backs Rafael and Patrice Evra fare well in this category also.
Errors Leading to Goals
Four players have been directly at fault for goals conceded in the Premier League this season.
10 minutes into the second half in their fixture at Southampton back in September, Patrice Evra slipped inside the penalty area allowing Morgan Schneiderlin a free header to give the home side a 2-1 lead. Two late goals from Robin van Persie meant United took all 3 points home from St Mary’s.
In what was expected to be a comfortable 3 points at Old Trafford on 24 November, Manchester United went 1 down to Queens Park Rangers in the 52nd minute. Goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard at fault when he could only parry Kieron Dyer’s low attempt into the path of Jamie Mackie a couple yards out for the game’s opening goal. 3 goals in a space of 8 minutes saw the home side win the game 3-1.
Struggling Reading took an 8th minute lead when they hosted Manchester United on the 1st day of December. Jobi McAnuff’s cross into the 6 yard box was poorly dealt with by Jonny Evans. His heading fell straight into the path of Hal Robson-Kanu who finished nicely to put the home side ahead. In what turned out to be a crazy first half, Manchester United ran out 4-3 winners at the Madejski Stadium.
Another 4-3 victory for Manchester United came on Boxing Day at home to Newcastle. Once again, a defensive mistake from the league leaders gifted the opposition the lead. In this game, Demba Ba hit a hopeful effort from 30 yards out which David De Gea could only parry into the path of James Perch for the opening goal. Newcastle took the lead 3 times in this game but ended up losing 4-3.
Discipline
Fouls
Antonio Valencia, who has been involved in a number of tussles on the ground this season, leads the way with Michael Carrick on 20 fouls committed this season. It’s common for a sides central or defensive midfielder to lead the foul count. After all, it’s their job to break up the play of the opposition, right? Rafael has been penalised 19 times, and Paul Scholes, who hasn’t had the most game time is up there with 18.
Cards
Paul Scholes has accumulated 6 yellow cards this season – that’s 1 for every 3 fouls he commits. Perhaps his reputation goes before him. Both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have collected 4 each in the Premier League. Neither picked up a fifth before New Year’s Day, meaning they avoid facing a 1 match ban for the next yellow card they receive. Manchester United are 1 of 5 teams yet to receive a yellow card in the league this season, along with Norwich City, Reading, Southampton and Sunderland.
Creativity
Passing
Sitting in the middle of the park, collecting short passes and making a number of them himself, Michael Carrick leads the team by some way in passes completed this season, with 1,458 in total. Only Mikel Arteta and Yaya Toure have completed more so far this season.
Defenders Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael all appear in the top 5 for passes completed in a Manchester United shirt this season, as does Paul Scholes.
Chances Created
As well as being the league’s top scorer, Robin van Persie has created more chances than any other player for Manchester United in 2012/13. The Dutch ace has set up 39 chances for team mates during his first season as a Red Devil. 6 of these turned into goals.
Wayne Rooney, who has spent much of this season in a deeper role than usual, often behind RvP has teed up 27 chances for team mates in the league. Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young complete the top 5.
Goal Assists
Only Steven Gerrard (8) has more assists than Wayne Rooney in the Premier League this season. The number 10 has created 7 goals for Manchester United this season, and has scored 7 too.
Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia have 4 apiece, whilst 14 different players have registered an assist for Manchester United this season – no club has had more in the Premier League so far.
Crossing
Robin van Persie has completed the most crosses for Manchester United this season. Their striker has accounted for half of the crosses from set pieces this season (53 of 107), and his success rate of 21% is only just below the club average of 22%. The league average is 22.48%.
Ashley Young (23%), Rafael (26%) and Patrice Evra (25%) are all above the club and league average, making the top 5 for successful crosses for Manchester United. Only van Persie has completed more crosses than Antonio Valencia this season, but the Ecuadorian has only completed 19% of his attempts. Despite causing United fans much frustration with a number of over hit and generally poor crosses, Valencia managed to avoid the Top 10 Worst Crossers list earlier this season, and still would not appear on the list if refreshed today.
Dribbling
Set Antonio Valencia running down the right wing appears to be one of Manchester United’s tactics this season with the winger attempting more dribbles than any of his team mates by some margin. Valencia has succeeded with 42% of his 59 dribble attempts.
Attacking full backs Patrice Evra and Rafael both make the list in attempts this season, with the Brazilian having a very good success rate of 75%. The only Manchester United player more successful in the top 5 is Robin van Persie who has only lost possession 19% of times when attempting to take on the opposition.
Free Kicks Won
Manchester United have been awarded 238 free kicks this season. Robin van Persie has been targeted the most this season, fouled 32 times alone. Ashley Young is next on the list, winning 30 free kicks. How much contact was made on these 30 decisions remains to be seen.
Attacking
Manchester United have scored 54 Premier League goals in 21 games during the 2012/13 Premier League season, an incredible 13 more than the next nearest team (Manchester City – 41) with 17 games remaining. Bringing in Robin van Persie has been a huge part of this success, with the club having last season’s top 2 highest scorers in England’s top flight.
Goals Scored
Robin van Persie has not disappointed so far following his £24 million move from Arsenal, staying fit to score in 13 of his 21 games this season, with a total of 16 goals that make him the league’s top scorer. United have won all 13 Premier League games in which RvP has scored.
Javier Hernandez has been known to be an impact substitute, and the Mexican is second on United’s goalscoring list with 8 goals; 1 more than Wayne Rooney.
Having scored just 2 goals in the previous 6 seasons at Old Trafford, Patrice Evra has scored 4 in the Premier League this season alone. The French left back scored in both games either side of Christmas. His backup, Alexander Büttner also has 1 goal, whilst centre back Jonny Evans has 3 and right back Rafael 2.
Shooting
Unsurprisingly, Robin van Persie has fired in the most shots on goal this season, a total of 74. Excluding attempts that are blocked, the Dutch striker finds the target with 51% of his attempts (league average 44%) and converts 25% of his shots (league average 13%). In comparison, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez hits the target 46% of the time and converts 16% of his attempts.
Wayne Rooney betters Suarez in both accuracy and conversion rate, but his 52 attempts at goal is significantly lower than Uruguayan’s 123. In fact, van Persie and Rooney combined have only had 126 attempts on goal this season, but combine for 23 goals; 8 more than the Liverpool forward.
Danny Welbeck has converted just 7% of his attempts on goal in the Premier League, whilst Ashley Young has failed to register with any of his 21 attempts.
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I’d say the statman Fletch can’t wait to get his chops around that one.
Scholes 1 yellow per every 3 fouls. fucking hell.
Bobby Cheers son!
Only stats I care about are found in the league table. Could not be bothered by tika taka stats as the only thing that matter is energy output and goals scored.
52 pts. 7 clear of the Bitters! Bring on Liverpool.. that’s me then.
BTW, There is a cracking good read on manutd.com Sir Alex talking to Adam Marshall one on one about a certain Dutch striker.
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Jan/sir-alex-ferguson-press-conference-ahead-of-liverpool.aspx
Finally Anderson back in training and will be available for the Liverpool encounter.what a news!!meanwhile Nani is also back, now we have dough depth in midfield to cope best with the upcoming hefty perpetuating fixtures.with Anderson now we can also give a break to Cleverly and Nani’s presence gives us more incentive and dimension in term of playing with versatality of different chices of wingers between pace of Tony, Young’s deep tricky cross and Nani’s shooting &dribbling talent.there is no favoritism on a holistic level.we should follow the protocol of the “best man for the best occasion”in that case Welbeck should also play a crucial role, and to be honest the taking of some united fans being content with loaning him out is just plain nonsense in my opinion!at the current moment we need everybody.the reason is very long and nobody knows what will happen in the future in term of injuries..
Evra our best player at the aerial duels. Lol. No wonder we’ve conceded so many headd goals.
Nice to have an (almost) fit squad. Even the manager admitted he doesn’t know how long that will last.
If Anderson and Cleverley can play 90 minutes we win. Simple as that. We play Scholes and Giggs and it will be a long day.
But still think we win
Bring on scousers then! I’ll definitely be havin that on Sunday!
Costas, Cheers mate. Regarding Evra, does make you think about Fergies genius for me.
Fabio out on loan: SHOCK 1
Büttner purchase: SHOCK 2
Büttner starts a game and scores a cracker: SHOCKs 3/4
Evra transforms into the second coming of Irwin (not quite) and kicks in 4 goals. SHOCK Squared!
Ya baby! There is only one big big man at Manchester United! His name is Sir Alex Ferguson! Ha!!
@Fletch
I love the fact that Evra is becoming good at different areas. It kind of makes up for all his errors when he does his actual job.
Nani and ando back in the squad! Happy days people.:)
Costas.
Ouch!!!! 
Media jobs with Fremantle/Man Utd
http://www.theunitlist.com/producerdirector-assistant-producer-channel-c
please only apply if you have the experience required
Evra is very prominent in the stats depspite the critiscm he gets. He must be doing something right.
Great news on Ando & Nani. The last time Nani came back from a long layoff, he was immense.
Off Topic:
This is a really interesting piece of United history.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/01/11/sport/football/football-manchester-united-james-gibson/index.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fedition_sport+%28RSS%3A+Sport%29
Where do these numbers come from?
It’s hard to remember all these things, but one mistake I do remember was De Gea’s against Fulham, for which he was dropped by Sir Alex.. It’s not on this list though?
Small typo. Manchester United, are along with Norwich City, Reading, Southampton and Sunderland the only side not to receive a red card in the season.
Article talks about yellow cards
That was a cheap shot at Young’s free kicks. Not nice
Our two main centre backs are only winning half of the aerial duels which is a bit worrying.
I’d love to see what Pallister and Bruce’s stats would have been. Probably about 95%.
@Andromeda
yeah that’s great news to have ANdo and Nani back, our depth is awesome.
And I think this season has united us ROM fellows, because now we seem to appreciate every player, and we are realising the great meaning of depth. Even Nani is missed by you that wanted him out, (Valencia has a little to do on that)
and the lad Nani hasn’t played in a while and had a poor start of the season.
Not saying we didn’t do that in past seasons, but this season seems like a ManUtd season, because now we as supporters, and by this I mean some that moaned alot, are stopping that, are concentrating more and more on results and getting behind the team.
I am liking our behaviour here, not that I am one who decides that or pulles the strings haha, but it seems that these days we have good discussions and this only Unites us here
a hand for us too.
“Come back when you have 19″ – looserpool
HERE WE ARE 19 and going! #IAMUNITED
DDG was goalkeeper in that Newcastle game
Bobby….. To be fair Pali and Bruce would not be challenged in the air the way rio and evans are, because fouls wern’t give for an elbow across the jaw. Players came out of games with missing teeth and other things, with much higher injury rates. They would have had as much licence as a keeper to literally clear out the box. If a ball was in front of goal
Not really the same game anymore. Sigh, I do miss the bleeding
“Nani’s back in training and will be in the squad on Sunday. Phil Jones is back, although I think Wednesday is more likely for him. Anderson has been back training for 10 days so he’ll be in the squad on Sunday.
“All in all, we’re in a healthy situation. How long it will last I don’t know, but it’s good to have them back.
I think only WayneRooney is missing? and he’ll be back for the hammers game , if SAF is not playing mindgames.
Do we have anyone else missing? Fletcher could be sick, but anyone else`? just look our situation now, looking good guys
@We are united
hello mate, I agree with you regarding that encouraging sentiment about the fans appreciating the teams performance.
I always believe that entertainment and success with good performance is the best way for blossoming a generation of fans that will get right behind their teams and in with that respect the lads has just made up proud this season however we should also expect periodic faltering and failure.its not possible for us to win every games at any competitions.its at those moments that our team needs our support.all united fans including myself were left totally disappointed last season after seeing City lifting the trophy on our behalf in such a dramatic fashion, that should have been a very bad kick on teeth, nevertheless and despite utter frustration the lads handled that quite magnificently perhaps all this due to the non extinguishing fire beneath Fergie’s passion…the integrity of the club and the stability of the persona within the united paradigm is our secret to handle every pressure, we as united fans should make ourselves responsible to keep that fire ignited for the rest of the compaign.
Evra has all of a sudden stepped his game up SEVERAL NOTCHES since Buttner came around. Very happy for him. He is playing like a man possessed. VERY HAPPY Nani and Ando are back in. I expect to see them against West Ham at least if not against Liverpool.
On a sidenote. Has anyone seen pictures of Wayne Rooney in training? He is looking VERY LEAN and fit. Looks like he might be raring to go. Cannot wait to see him back in action.
Finally a very happy birthday to perennial United legend. Bryan Robson. Absolute MONSTER of a midfield player. If we had Bryan Robson today, we would have been at least 15 points ahead of everyone else. He was that brilliant.
Hope we get a thread up to properly congratulate the manager.
Sir Alex namedthe best coach of the 21st century so far by IFFHS,
…. same group that lumped United and Liverpool in 28th and 29th best teams for last year mind.
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/manchester-united-manager-declared-the-best-coach-of-the-21st-cen
Here is the original site for that link
Sir Alex, best coach of 21st Century:
1.Ferguson (180)
2.Mourinho (174)
3.Wenger (165)
4.Capello (147)
http://www.iffhs.de/?10f42d17f7300bf32b57a73a00f82d17f7370eff3702bb1c2bbb6e20f53510
Robin van Persie: Barclays Player of the Month for December.
5 goals in 6 good enough then?! HA!
Be feeling a bit cocky around Carrington today! Enjoy it!…. then get on with beating pool
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2013/Jan/robin-van-persie-named-barclays-player-of-the-month.aspx … pic.twitter.com/hMiic7AQ
Too right Fletch…back then and it was hardly 20 years ago there were more blood and guts defenders. Rio certainly isn’t in that category and while Evans throws himself about more he isn’t that imposing. Smalling is another big lad but not agressive enough. Vidic has been missing in that respect. Stam was another fucking rock.
My team vs loserfool
Ddg
Rafa. Vida. Johnny. Pat
Tom. Michael
Young. Van persie. Kawaga
Chrchato
Win 4-0 a t home thanks
WHAT THA #%&! !!!!!
Andre Villas Boas wins Barclays manager of month, and congrats to him. But better rename it the ABU award!
December EPL
Spurs WLWDWW (14/18pts)….11 goals for 4goals against
United WWWDWW (16/18pts)….17 goals for 10 goals against.
Nobody will likely remember a single minute of Spurs December matches unless you are a Spurs fans or a team they played. United won arguably the game of the season v the BabyBlues.. becoming the first team to beat them at home this season.
Fair play to AVB who I don’t have anything but pity for, but Jaysus wept!
@Fletchman
that’s amazing, WOW.
how the heck SAF didn’t win that.
We performed and like yo usaid won babyblues and everyone remembers our games.
stunnign act from them. SAF manager of the month!. like it or not ABU
Mark my words Rooney will play on Sunday. Been saying it for last 2 weeks. Great to have Anderson and Nani back. God if we do win which we should a ten point gap puts SERIOUS pressure on City at the Emirates. Can’t wait for game Sunday. Best game of season the scousers at home. Actually an atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Yeah I agree with We Are United. Fans back behind the team at last instead of that fucking hideous green and gold campaign , that I can understand why some liked it. Not for me. Positive vibe about the club at the minute. I have a feeling this team with a tweak or so can do great things. IMO the last 2 or 3 seasons we have been in tranisition but still done OK. Now lads like De Gea, Evans, Rafa, Clevs, hernandez, Danny are really becoming United players. Ditto Smalling and Jones etc
City winning the league in a perverse way has been a blessing. Fergie has got that fire back in his belly.
AVB manager of the month? Is that a sick joke. Look who they have played. Fergie should have pissed that award. Fucking cunts.
City get no joy at the Emirates and missing key players because of the African Cup,bookies have Arsenal favorites big possibility City will drop points.
trollhunter – Oh I agree. Arsenal will win I reckon. You aren’t wayne are you? Havent seen him on here for a bit?
King Eric no mate,i agree with you about SAF i’m guessing blames himself for losing the title has really fired him up
@KingEric
cheers mate. An absolutley good feeling has been around0 the team from supporters. FINALLY.
You always could see who are the true ones, that go through the rough patches and the ones just trolling.
I don’t mean the ones with different opinions, cause I bet every one of us have differ from the other with opinions. But those, who change their “names” aka SHINJITHENINJA has vanished for example, and some others who suddenly pop when the game is played.
12 comebacks this season is good enough to see who are the “real” supporters, if we can call it that way.
ANd mate you were absolutely correct with the statement of those players, Can’t wait to get Kagawa on that list also
It was a blessing in disguise like you said it.
PS. I’m not english, so can you explain this to me haha “instead of that fucking hideous green and gold campaign , that I can understand why some liked it.” what does that mean?
peace.
@kingeric
did you mean the scarf and antiGlazers campaign?
WeAreUnited – Yes mate the Glazer campaign. As I say I can see why a lot did go for it but it became embarrassing. People in Green and Gold scarves , sorry green and fucking mustard, then decked out with merchandise from the Mega store. Cringeworthy.
I would love to see Anderson and Carrick in the middle for Sunday, as for the wings things look straight forward, methinks Young will start on the left and Valencia will retain his spot although he should put an extra hardworking as Nani is waiting on the bench or perhaps a starter”who knows?”anyway as I said before they are two completely different set of player and we will need them both.so on worry about a fierce competition for place, thats just quite normal, they are both stars.
In the frontline RVP will hunt the scourers defenders, as for the second man, thats a mystery lol.as King Eric said Rooney might be a surprise man.if not then either Chicarito or another midfield perhaps as a supporting striker behind Robin.
Just hope our defenders are at their best to halt Suarez.things look a bit different this time.Evra need to study the movement of Sturridge well. Carrick should stay on his feet and give his best to hinder Stevie me and Sterling combo, he was our most consistent player this season so I have all the faith and codifence in him.
@kingeric
yeah got it
everyone had their reasons, but when you do it, do it 100% . but I have little information about this thing, just that it was antiGlazers.
@andromeda
I think Ando and Nani should stay on the bench, and come on on the second half as fresh legs, if Valencia doesn’t perform or we need fresh legs.
For me the usual concept for the big games, like we have done all season, just that who put on, VIda or Ferdinand? IS Vida fresh enough? SAF sees them on the training groung, so he’ll decide.
Mine would be:
DDG
Rafael Vidic Evans Evra
……………..Carrick Cleverley………….
Valencia…………………………………Young
…………………..RVP……………………
………………..Chicarito……………….
The question is: Wayne Rooney, if he’s fit, SAF usually uses him in these kind of games, but Chicha has done everything right, and is on fire, why not use him? Rest Rooney, if we need legs, bring him on.
Subs. Lindegaard, Smalling,Welbeck, Nani, Ando, Kagawa, Rooney (Ferdinand or Giggsy if Rooney is not fit)
trollhunter @ 17:12: “City get no joy at the Emirates and missing key players because of the African Cup,bookies have Arsenal favorites big possibility City will drop points.”
D’ya think FredTheRed will pay out ?
Andromeda @ 17:40: “I would love to see Anderson and Carrick in the middle for Sunday”
Actually, I’d like to see a midfield-three of MC16, Anderson, and YoungTom/KagawaBunga behind a two of RVP and DannyTheLad/TheWayneBoy (is King Eric onto something ?), with Chicharito playing off-the-shoulder of the last defender.
4-3-2-1. That’s the ChristmasTree that ACMilan played when Kaka played with Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Inzaghi, and Crespo/FatRonaldo – lots of interchanging, lots of movement.
What do these stats tell me? Van Persie is a fucking BEAST
@we are united
perhaps you are right and it will be the usual Cleverly-Carrick combo, however Anderson is just the sort of the versatile fearless midfielder that can banish the likes of Stevie me and Sterling.his pace and physique is perfect to conquer the last third of the pitch but as you said he is not fit enough to handle the intensity of the derby after such a lenghthy layoff besides Fergie might prefer to go with Cleverly for his passing accuracy and dynamism.this duality can be best exploited at different period.thats the importance of having depth in your squad.
As for Chicarito, not sure!!it seems as if he will be on the bench.
@andromeda
yeah Ando would bring legs, that’s right, and you explained it wll, but knowing SAF he’ll keep those players and like you said, Ando just has comed from injuries, and if we are winning comfortably, I bet he’ll not even play.
If we are trailing, Ando will come in.?
I think Chicha deserves and also has scoredd 11 goals in his last 13games. Only a crazy manager would drop him, BUT if the crazy manager has options to play a certain WayneRooney, he would do that
For me Chicharito is the obvious choice to start. If he’s not in a mood or doesn’t get opportunities cause liverpool shuts our passing down, then Rooney should come to exploit them
@denton
I think 4-3-2-1. woudl be great, for real, with all the talent we have and subs like you can see, we could use that, but I think using 442 is the choice he’ll make cause we have done damage against big teams with that formation in this season.
For me that formations, soon as everybody are fit and i nthe next game should be implemented, so we can use Kagawas and Nani’s ability even better.
a midfield trio of Carrick/Clevs, Ando and Kagawa/Rooney, and
an attack of
Young/RVP/Rooney/Kagawa/Welbeck — RVP/Chicharito/Welbeck/Rooney — Nani/Kagawa/Valencia/Young
WOW just look at our options.
Those above are what we need.
Until the implimentation of 4-3-2-1.
a certain 442 in big games is the way to go, or more like 451.
@denton davey
A three men midfield, then having Kagawa behind RVP and Welbeck
well theoretically this looks amazing and a dream lineup, however not sure if it works on the pitch, Anderson best plays when he has enough space and this formation is just too over crowding.anyway I like it since its it will be too stubborn to breake, and would love such formation to be tested in the future.
STR doesn’t like criticising DDG for some reason – he’s been leading the way for goalscoring mistakes
King Eric got a good deal and fucked off to Vegas for a week,hope you’re well mate
@Kimblim
I suspect that isn’t included because it wasn’t a goal caused by an Error by DDG alone as Vidic was just as much to blame. Neithers mistake would have caused a goal without the other so in stats assigning the blame to a single player it would be unfair to pin it exclusively on either
Nani =)
Evra = the best. Best defender. Best LB in the world. It’s a shame so many fans come on here and talk bollocks about him, patronising him saying he is doing ok now, seriously fck off, you know nothing about football if you thing Evra is anything less than one of the best in the world and a huge plus for our team.