The latest Premier League team of the week is in, with BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks naming two Manchester United players among last weekend’s top performers.
Crooks has opted for a 4-4-2 formation with one or two players in unusual roles (good job he isn’t a football manager).
Manchester United got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor. It was our first away win of the season and Jonny Evans took all the headlines for his brilliant display at the back.
The Northern Ireland international makes it into Crooks’ back four.
“I overheard a conversation recently where an Arsenal supporter said how surprised he was to see Evans on against his team a few weeks ago and I must say so was I,” Crooks said as per BBC Sport. “However, he went on to suggest that Evans was, at the tender age of 35, no longer good enough for Manchester United.
“Well the point of view couldn’t have been further from the truth. Evans was the star performer against Burnley. The Northern Ireland international had a headed goal disallowed, played the most exquisite pass to Bruno Fernandes to volley home and helped United keep a clean sheet.
“I’m not entirely sure what Arsenal fans know about top-class centre-backs anyway. The last ones they had were Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Sol Campbell and they all played into their thirties.”
The second United player to make this week’s Premier League team of the week is Bruno Fernandes. He volleyed home a through ball from Evans at the end of the first half before United went on to control the game.
Crooks wrote: “What a cracking finish by Fernandes. I was keen to see how United might react after their Champions League defeat in midweek against Bayern Munich.
“Admittedly they were playing Burnley, who are finding their time in the Premier League somewhat challenging, but this was about nerve and bottle for United as much as it was about performance. United stood up to the test and deserved the victory.
“The tackle by Casemiro on Luca Koleosho, who showed some fabulous footwork as he entered the box with the ball at his feet, was sensational. All credit to referee Tony Harrington who was quite right to wave away any appeals.”
This is the first game week of the new season that we’ve had any players in the BBC’s TOTW. Hopefully, it continues over the coming weeks because it’s a sign we are back winning football matches.
One player I think is unlucky not to feature is Hannibal Mejbri. The academy graduate put in a solid performance away at Burnley and is likely to start again on Tuesday night against Crystal Palace.
United are currently 9th in the Premier League, but should be looking to move up the table this weekend.
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