Bruno Fernandes, Mohamed Salah and more: February Team of the Month | Premier League 2019-20

Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Roman Saiss, Harry Maguire, Bukayo Saka

Harry Maguire has been rock solid at the back for United of late

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a terrific February with three clean-sheets and an assist against Chelsea. The 20-year-old has continued his impressive form from last season and has been one of the few positives for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in what has been a stop-start campaign so far.

The English defender is currently only behind Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira in terms of most tackles in the division. Wan-Bissaka is not the best crosser of the ball but he marauds forward on the right-flank and can link-up with the forwards. Defensively, the former Palace man is almost unsurpassable. He rarely mistimes a tackle and his quickness allows him to make recoveries easily. An increase in productivity going forward could surely make Aaron Wan-Bissaka one of the top right-backs in Europe.

Centre-back: Romain Saiss

Patricio’s job at Wolves is made easier because of the wall-like defence in front of him. Whilst Conor Coady is the leader of the pack, Romain Saiss’ performances lately have been overlooked at the left-side of Nuno’s defence.

The captain of the Morocco national team, Saiss is a no-nonsense defender who thrives on tackles and duels. As a result, he was labelled as rash and impulsive by many. However, in recent weeks, the 29-year-old has grown into a reliable defender for Wolves at the back. Willy Boly’s injury earlier this season gave Saiss a regular run-in in the team and he is now looking irreplaceable.

He kept three clean-sheets in February and recorded an assist for Diogo Jota’s second goal in Wolves’ hammering of Norwich. Apart from his improved disciplinary record and authoritative displays, Romain Saiss has shown that he can control the tempo of games as well.

Centre-back: Harry Maguire

Often under a magnifying glass because of his eye-brow raising £80m move to Manchester United, Harry Maguire was at his supreme best in February. Clean-sheets against Wolves, Chelsea and Watford have steered the Reds within four points off fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in-hand.

Maguire has taken the mantle of club captain from the departing Ashley Young and is revelling in his new role. He is seen marshalling the defence with utmost command and also helps dictate play from the back. The England international also scored a thumping header at Chelsea earlier this month to showcase his threat from corners.

However, the 26-year-old needs to replicate this form consistently if he is to justify his massive price-tag and be considered one of the best centre-backs in the country.

Left-back: Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta was forced to call on 18-year-old left-winger Bukayo Saka to slot in at left-back in the middle of January following a thigh injury to first-choice Sead Kolasinac. Kieran Tierney’s debut season at the Emirates has also been plagued with multiple injuries with the Scotsman nursing a shoulder problem currently.

Saka, however, to much surprise, has been Arsenal’s best performer since his leap into the starting XI. Against Burnley, he could not continue after half-time due to a knock in the hip region. However, during those 45 minutes, he did not just showcase his defensive aptitude but also how dynamic he can be going forward. The teenager shrugged off any injury concerns to star in the 4-0 win against Newcastle where he assisted Arsenal’s second goal and kept another clean-sheet.

He rounded off February with another assist in the Gunners’ comeback victory over Everton which has given them an outside chance of achieving European football for next season.