A pair of altogether noteworthy statistics have come to the fore on Monday evening, surrounding Manchester United’s latest performance.
The Red Devils, of course, are currently locked in action at Old Trafford.
Amid a dismal stretch of just a solitary point secured from the club’s last three Premier League outings, Ralf Rangnick’s troops welcomed Brentford to Manchester, eyeing a much-needed return to winning ways.
And, as things stand early in the 2nd-half, all three points is precisely what United are headed towards.
This comes with the evening’s hosts in possession of a 1-0 lead, owing to Bruno Fernandes rounding out a fine team move to break the deadlock inside the 10-minute mark:
Elanga’s pace does the job ??
Bruno Fernandes gives Man Utd an early lead against Brentford! ? pic.twitter.com/y4KjM9WIrs
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2022
And, in the process of bagging his latest goal, Fernandes too moved into joint-3rd in an altogether impressive Premier League category.
As per statisticians Opta, the Portuguese, since arriving in England, has now directly contributed – by means of a goal or assist – to 61 Premier League goals.
This marks the same tally as Son Heung-min across the same stretch, with Fernandes now only trailing frontrunner pair Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane.
61 – Since making his Manchester United debut in February 2020, only Mohamed Salah (73) and Harry Kane (65) have been involved in more Premier League goals than Bruno Fernandes (61 – 36 goals & 25 assists, level with Son Heung-Min). Influence. pic.twitter.com/mX0KVLWbNj
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 2, 2022
Passing clinic
Turning attentions towards Manchester United as a whole, many of a Red Devils persuasion would no doubt argue that their side’s first-half display on Monday night proved one of the club’s best of the season to date.
This comes with the Red Devils, for the first time in some time, having looked confident in possession, stringing together a number of wonderful team moves, one of which only saw what looked set to be the hosts’ 2nd of the night ruled out by VAR:
RULED OUT! ?
Cristiano Ronaldo doubled Man Utd’s lead over Brentford – but VAR says no goal ? pic.twitter.com/uJf0DAeBnu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 2, 2022
And such efforts, all told, have since been backed by the statistics.
As per Ben Green of Squawka, against Brentford, Manchester United made over 400 passes in the first-half of a Premier League fixture for the first time this season.
Manchester United have made 400+ passes in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time this season (407).
And it came in Juan Mata’s first start. ? pic.twitter.com/yx92Iz9DTp
— Ben Green (@BenMGreen95) May 2, 2022
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