Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
A collection of Manchester United’s top statistical performers in the dominant Champions League victory over Sabah.
Manchester United’s return to the Champions League was a successful one with Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and Lisandro Martinez all scoring in a 4-0 win over Sabah FK.
The result puts United fourth in the Champions League table in the group phase, with the Red Devils next in European action next month against Atletico Madrid.
Michael Carrick can take plenty of positives from the performances, and several players stood out in different areas.
FBL-EUR-C1-MAN UTD-SABAH
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
FBL-EUR-C1-MAN UTD-SABAH
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
Match stats
First-half statistics
Manchester United Match stats Sabah FK
58 Possession 42
2.38 Expected goals (xG) 0.35
13 Shots 4
3 Big chances 1
26 Duels won 20
Second-half statistics
Manchester United Match stats Sabah FK
57 Possession 43
1.30 Expected goals (xG) 0.54
8 Shots 6
2 Big chances 1
24 Duels won 24
Patrick Dorgu excels in attack and defence
It was Patrick Dorgu who picked up United’s first assist of the night, firing in a cross to Cunha from his left-back position.
The Dane put in a solid attacking display, but he also excelled out of possession by topping the duelling figures. Dorgu won eight duels against Sabah, more than any other player on the pitch.
Mason Mount was second in the list, winning four duels despite coming on as a half-time substitute.
Getty Images
Kobbie Mainoo dominates passing charts
In terms of passing, no one came close to Kobbie Mainoo at Old Trafford.
Mainoo took 93 touches of the ball, more than any other player, and still boasted an exceptional pass success rate of 98%, completing 81 out of his 83 passes.
Ten of those passes from Mainoo entered the final third of the pitch, another stat the Carrington graduate dominated. Mainoo also completed 100% (6/6) of his long passes.
Youri Tielemans strides through the Champions League
This was Youri Tielemans’ first Champions League appearance in red, and the Belgian international was the best player on the pitch for his 45-minute cameo.
The slower pace of the Champions League allowed Tielemans to completely dictate play at Old Trafford.
The £35m signing took 52 touches of the ball, completed 98% (46/47) of his passes and created two chances for teammates. A stellar display.
Joshua Zirkzee was Man United’s top dribbler
Joshua Zirkzee only entered the fray in the second half as a replacement for Benjamin Sesko, yet in his short time on the pitch he completed more dribbles than any player of either team.
Remarkably, Zirkzee completed three dribbles, boasting a 100% success rate.