5 best Manchester United players this season

Manchester United are enjoying one of their best seasons in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. They are second in the Premier League table and are in the Europa League final.

United legend Ole Gunnar Solskaer has made a significant impact since taking over the reins at Old Trafford. He has received widespread plaudits for his man-management skills and tactical awareness.

Manchester United have also seen some fine performances in every area of the field. The Red Devils have been sensational in counter-attacking football, especially their ability to unlock defences.

On that note, let’s take a look at the five best Manchester United players in the 2020-21 season.

#5 Edinson Cavani

Despite featuring mostly off the bench in the first half of the season, Edinson Cavani has now established himself as one of Manchester United’s best players in the 2020-21 season.

The Uruguayan has been one of the best no. 9s in the game over the past decade and has continued his exceptional goalscoring form for Manchester United. Cavani has made 38 appearances this season - 18 as a substitute - and has produced an output of 16 goals and five assists.

In 26 Premier League appearances - 13 of them being off the bench - Cavani has emerged as Manchester United’s third-highest goalscorer (ten goals) in the Premier League and across all competitions as well.

The 34-year old has matched Ole Gunnar Solskjær record of five goals as a substitute in a Premier League season. With just one league game remaining this campaign, Cavani would look to end his debut campaign in English football on a high.

#4 Marcus Rashford

Manchester United academy product Marcus Rashford is one of England’s premier active strikers and is having his most productive season in terms of goals and assists.

Rashford received plaudits for his exploits on and off the pitch last year. He won the 2020 England Footballer of the Year and received the title of 'MBE' (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his social work. The Manchester-born Rashford has gone from strength to strength since his lucky break against FC Midtjylland in the 2015-16 Europa League.

In 56 appearances across all competitions this season, Rashford has racked up 21 goals and 15 assists, which is second only to Bruno Fernandes in the club's goalscoring and assists leaderboard.

The 23-year old has an impressive xG (expected goals) of 14.5 and a decent xA (expected assists) of 4.5 across all competitions this season. Rashford is one of the most accurate strikers of the ball in the Premier League, registering a 47% shooting accuracy.

#3 Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire, the Manchester United captain, has evolved into one of the Premier League and England’s finest centre-backs in recent times.

After a torrid start to their 2020-21 Premier League campaign, conceding 11 goals in their first three games, the Manchester United defence improved significantly, thanks to Harry Maguire.

An ever-present figure in the Manchester United defence, Maguire has played a part in 18 clean sheets in all competitions this season. He has won 3.7 aerial duels out of every five attempted per 90 minutes and has had a tackle success rate of around 60% in the Premier League.

The Englishman is extremely composed with the ball at his feet, allowing Manchester United to play out from the back. Maguire ranks in the top 15% in terms of passes of 40 yards or more, among centre-backs in world football.

The 29-year old has recorded 89 tackles and interceptions in the 2020-21 Premier League, along with 65.5 passes completed per match at an accuracy of 89%. Moreover, Maguire has scored two goals and provided two assists in 52 appearances in all competitions this season.

#2 Luke Shaw

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw has staged a remarkable climb up the club's pecking order after being their third-choice not too long back.

The rapid progress of Brandon Williams and Manchester United’s acquisition of Alex Telles spelled danger for Luke Shaw. The 25-year old also faced criticism from former managers, including a public ostracisation by Jose Mourinho.

The man-management skills of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, along with the arrival of Telles, have helped Shaw turn around his fortunes, though. The former world’s most expensive teenager has been a calming presence in Manchester United’s defence this season. He has had a tackle success rate of 64% and produced 64 tackles and interceptions in the Premier League this season.

However, Shaw’s strongest suit this season has been his contributions in the final third. He has registered over 50 passes per match at a pass completion rate of over 80%. The 25-year old notched up a memorable goal in the Manchester City derby, along with six assists in the 2020-21 season.

#1 Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has been in sensational form since his arrival on English shores last year and is currently one of the Premier League’s best players.

The Portuguese moved to Manchester United in the 2020 winter transfer window. His stellar contributions (12 goals and eight assists) catapulted the team to a top-four finish last season. The 26-year old only got better in the 2020-21 campaign, leading Manchester United in terms of assists and goals across all competitions.

Fernandes role as an attacking midfielder has proved to be the perfect bridge between the deeper-lying playmakers and the forwards. The former Sporting star is an absolute workhorse in the middle of the park, which allows the likes of Paul Pogba, Fred and Scott McTominay freedom to venture forward.

Fernandes is exceptionally adept with the ball at his feet, recording an over 85% pass completion rate and an xA (expected assists) of 16.9 across all competitions.

The 26-year old also has the penchant of consistently finding the back of the net, as is evident in his xG (expected goals) of 22.9 across all competitions, one of the highest in European football.

Fernandes has registered 28 goals and 18 assists in 57 appearances this season and has notched up 93% game time for Manchester United in the 2020-21 Premier League.

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Edited by Bhargav