Manchester Utd continued their run of solid, if unspectacular, performances as they won for the sixth game in a row with a 0-1 win over Norwich. Danny Welbeck’s second-half equaliser gave Utd the win at Carrow Road which keeps them in touch with the top four going into the new year.
Wayne Rooney continues to be vital to the fortunes of David Moyes’ side, the forward showcasing some of his best form this term now that he has returned to full fitness. He remains the only Utd player to not only have surpassed 30 attempts on goal (43) but has also racked up an excellent 420 passes in the opponent’s half.
The emergence of Adnan Januzaj has been a major positive during an uncharacteristic Utd season to date, the youngster offering a glimmer of light in what has been a somewhat dark start to the post-Ferguson era. He sits behind only Rooney for total attacking contributions (shots on goal, assists, crosses, dribbles) this term with 43.
Tom Cleverley has been highlighted by his manager in recent weeks as player he holds in very high esteem and a part of his long-term plans at the club. Cleverley has certainly been enjoying a noteworthy season to date, leading the Utd squad as he does for total passes in the opponent’s half with 455, at an average rate of one every 2.6 minutes this season.
Tottenham ran out comfortable winners at White Hart Lane on Sunday as they beat Stoke 3-0. The win will have injected some much-needed confidence into a talented Spurs dressing room and their trip to Old Trafford should now be a clash of two sides on the rise after troubled starts to their respective campaigns.
Christian Eriksen may have found his chances to impress somewhat limited since his arrival at White Hart Lane, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index suggests he is ready to make a big impact should he put a run of games together. Eriksen has the best shot accuracy rate of any player in the league to have had more than 5 shots, working the ‘keeper with 85.7% of his 14 attempts.
Belgium international Mousa Dembele may be renowned for his attacking prowess, but he’s also been showing the defensive abilities which have seen him regarded as one of the best all-round midfielders in the league. He has the best tackle success rate of any player to have attempted more than 30 challenges, winning a superb 92.1% of his 38 tackles this term.
Michael Dawson remains one of the most vital players at the back for Tottenham this season, a role he will no doubt continue in with fellow club stalwart Tim Sherwood now in charge. He’s racked up more defensive contributions (blocks, interceptions, tackles won, clearances) than any other Spurs player this season with 213.
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