Fred steps up when Man Utd need him most
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United’s win against Leeds United
When Erik ten Hag was selecting his starting line-ups for Manchester United’s two games with Leeds this week, the lack of midfield options at his disposal would have surely concerned him.
With Casemiro suspended, Scott McTominay injured, and Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek out for the long term, United’s strength in depth in the middle of the pitch has been analysed more in recent weeks than at any point this season.
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Wednesday’s draw at Old Trafford only highlighted that issue but after a 2-0 win at Elland Road on Sunday, the outlook has changed slightly thanks to Fred’s player-of-the-match performance.
The Brazilian produced an accomplished display in West Yorkshire, ranking first for tackles won (eight) and intensive runs (292). The 29-year-old was also second for distance covered (10km), possession won (11), duels won (11) and final third entries (eight).
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United are undoubtedly weaker without their preferred pairing of Casemiro and Eriksen, but with four fixtures still to come in February – including a two-legged Europa League play-off with Barcelona and the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle – Fred demonstrated he’s more than capable of stepping up when United need him most.
Dan Sansom
Is Rodri Man City’s MVP?
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa
Erling Haaland tends to dominate the headlines with Manchester City and that is sure to continue following his early withdrawal on Sunday. But the 3-1 win over Aston Villa was just another game to show why Rodri might be even more important to the team.
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Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up had many wondering whether the Spaniard might be drafted into defence before kick-off but in truth he is too influential for that. City need him in the heart of it all and that’s where he was, once again, controlling the game.
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The numbers reflected his dominance, the 26-year-old ranking top among all players for touches, passes, chances created and duels, and his goal, headed in from Riyad Mahrez’s early corner, set the tone for City’s rampant first-half performance.
It was his ninth in the Premier League since the start of last season, a period during which he has also registered a total of six assists. They are figures which show that he is much more than just a holding midfielder for Guardiola and his team.
Arsenal know that well. It was Rodri, of course, who scored City’s stoppage-time winner in their last visit to the Emirates Stadium. “We need to show we are better than them,” he said of Wednesday’s meeting in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.
If Rodri produces another performance like this then, even without Haaland, City might well do it.
Nick Wright
City’s lopsided defence could cost them
Image: Pep Guardiola has changed his back four 13 times in 22 games this season
Manchester City started to resemble themselves a lot more in Sunday’s win over Aston Villa, but there are still question marks over the champions defensively.
Bernardo Silva played in a left-back-cum-midfielder role, which left City looking lopsided and that will be tested against Arsenal in Wednesday’s top-of-the-table clash.
It was an issue in the defeat at Tottenham last week, too. Rico Lewis played in a similar position and left a gaping hole down City’s left flank when moving into midfield.
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“I can’t think Pep Guardiola’s going to go to Arsenal on Wednesday, with Bukayo Saka playing on that right wing, and not play someone there,” Gary Neville told Sky Sports after the 3-1 win.
City allowed Joao Cancelo to leave on loan for Bayern Munich in January and didn’t bring in a replacement. Guardiola told Sky Sports he has other midfielders that can cover at left back but none of his solutions so far have convinced enough. Thirteen changes to his back four in 22 games suggests the City boss would agree.
“Pep’s going to have to deal with it at some point during the season, but he’s certainly not comfortable at this moment in time,” added Neville.
Even with their lopsided defence, City have been the creators of their own downfall recently. Their last four goals conceded have come from City errors, with Silva just the latest player to lose concentration and gift the opposition a goal.
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But the return of Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte could be a big part of the solution for Guardiola. The pair, who had not started together since November, have collected 46 from an available 51 points when playing together from the off and kept a clean sheet against Villa until Dias was subbed off at half-time.
The duo have timed their return to full fitness perfectly for City and Guardiola in what could be a pivotal week in the title race. But, if City don’t address their lopsided defence problem, it could cost them.
Zinny Boswell
Can Bamford still cut it for Leeds?
Image: Patrick Bamford was substituted after 58 minutes vs Man Utd
Leeds United had more shots, shots on target, corners, touches in the opposition box and a higher overall expected goals figure in their defeat at home to Manchester United. They were applauded off the pitch by their fans, who knew their team yet again showed positive signs with their overall performance level. But a common problem is stunting their progress, and ultimately led to the dismissal of Jesse Marsch: scoring goals.
Leeds have now failed to score in four of their last seven Premier League games. Chance creation certainly wasn’t a problem against United at Elland Road – the expected goals return of 1.83 is a healthy number to post – but Crysencio Summerville was particularly wasteful with his output.
Patrick Bamford still doesn’t look entirely himself on his return from ankle, hip and groin injuries – his usual silk-like first touch deserted him at key moments whilst he looked a little slow in keeping up with the electric wing play provided by Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto. He was replaced on 58 minutes. On paper he seems like the perfect foil for the array of pace and trickery in this Leeds squad but there is a question mark surrounding whether the same player that has led the line magnificently in recent years still remains.
Lewis Jones
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