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The best players across Manchester United and Barcelona
Two teams who have been at the top of their game, especially after the World Cup break go head to head on Thursday and we take a look at the best performers across both teams in a combined XI.
Goalkeeper — Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Few goalkeepers have been as consistent as Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen this season.
The German goalkeeper has kept 17 clean sheets in only 22 games in LaLiga this season and has the highest save percentage of any goalkeeper in Europe’s top five leagues.
Left Centre-back — Luke Shaw
After being a standout full-back for Manchester United over the years, Luke Shaw has also put out some dominant performances for the Red Devils in his new role as a centre-back under Erik Ten Hag.
While the role was initially meant to be temporary and makeshift to cover absences, Shaw has been so good that he has kept the position even with more recognised centre-backs in the squad.
Centre-back — Raphael Varane
Despite Shaw’s exceptional form and the resurgence of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane remains Manchester United’s best defender by some distance.
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His exceptional reading of the game and speed of thought in eliminating offensive threats have made him one of the best defenders currently playing in England, and it is no surprise that his name is often the first on the teamsheet for Manchester United whenever he is fit.
Right Centre-back — Ronald Araujo
With Ronald Araujo injured at the start of the season, Barcelona went through their worst defensive spell of the season.
Watching him, it is no surprise why he is so vital to Barcelona, seeing as his pace and intelligence are crucial to how Barcelona defends, especially on counterattacks.
Defensive midfielder — Casemiro
Casemiro’s move to Manchester United from Manchester United has not affected his reputation in the football world. Considering how this exact move has affected other players in the past, this alone is more than enough to show just how good Casemiro has been for the Red Devils.
Manchester United have won 2.3 points per game this season with Casemiro in the side, and only 1.7 without him. They have also conceded in excess of 1.4 goals per 90 more in his absence.
Left midfielder — Jordi Alba
Despite the emergence of Alejandro Balde in the Barcelona set-up which has seen him receive reduced game time, Jordi Alba still remains one of the best offensive full-backs in the world.
Alba ranks in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assists and progressive passes over the last year and also ranks in the top 5% for assists and shot-creating actions.
Central midfielder — Frenkie de Jong
The build-up to the first leg was inundated with talk about Frenkie de Jong’s failed move to Manchester United in the summer, and the way both managers spoke glowingly about the Dutch midfielder gives an insight into the quality that de Jong possesses.
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His ability to instigate attacks with his dribbling, ball-carrying and eye for a pass is second to none and it is no surprise that both coaches are desperate for him to be on their team.
Central midfielder — Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes does not score as often as he used to when he first arrived in Manchester, so it would be easy to miss that he has been one of the best players in all of Europe this season.
With the help of Erik Ten Hag, he has been able to cut out some of the excesses in his game and has traded in his gung-ho approach for a measured style that has paid dividends in many areas of his game.
His creativity has not been affected by his change in approach, and he has already assisted nine goals in all competitions for Manchester United this season while creating the most big chances for the Red Devils in the Premier League and having the highest expected assists for them in all competitions.
Right-Midfielder — Raphinha
Raphinha has had an incredible resurgence this season after starting the season slowly and has worked his way from being a potential transfer flop into being one of the best players for Barcelona and an invaluable asset to the team.
In his last five matches in all competitions, he has scored three goals and assisted two more, including a goal and assist in the first leg of the tie between Barcelona and Real Madrid
Centre-forward — Rashford
There are not many players in better form than Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is having the best season of his career.
The England international has scored 24 times in the 2022/23 season and has also assisted eight more goals for his team, finally doing justice to his immense potential.
Rashford has been Manchester United’s best player since the World Cup break and has been arguably the best player in Europe since then.
Centre-forward — Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski has not hit the heights for Barcelona since returning for the second half of the season but has still managed to amass 24 goals in all competitions this season for Barcelona.
Lewandowski is still one of the most feared strikers on the planet and his presence alone would worry any defence on the planet after more than a decade of elite marksmanship in the Bundesliga and Champions League..
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