STATS: Hernandez’s goals per minute for Manchester United vs McAnuff’s assists for Reading
Man Utd v Reading, Saturday 17:30
– United were leading 2-0 against Chelsea last weekend but ending up conceding twice to draw 2-2 with Chelsea. Chicarito Hernandez and Wayne Rooney were on target in that game.
– Hernandez continues to top the minutes per goal rating in the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index having scored 8 times in the Barclays Premier League this season averaging a goal every 93 minutes and 30 seconds.
– Rooney’s goal was his 11th of the season, coming from 64 shots at goal with 67.2% on target and an average of 145 minutes per goal.
– As importantly, Rooney has worked tirelessly for his team mates this season, averaging a pass completed in opposition territory every 3 minutes and contributing 9 assists to add to his 11 assists.
– Rio Ferdinand was recalled to the England squad this week, and the stats suggest he could still do a job for the Three Lions. Ferdinand has made 133 defensive contribution this season across tackles, clearances, blocks and interceptions. That averages as one every 14 minutes 15 seconds, a good rate for a player used to playing in a team that dominates possession.
– Ferdinand has always been comfortable on the ball, and has demonstrated that again this season, completing 208 passes in the opposition half, an average of one every 9 minutes 8 seconds.
– Reading suffered a heavy blow in their relegation battle in their last game, losing 2-1 to Aston Villa. Jobi McAnuff forced an own goal from Nathan Baker in that game, but it wasn’t enough and Reading are now level on points at the bottom of the league with QPR.
– That forced own goal is the closest McAnuff’s name has come to the score sheet this season, having had 27 shots at goal including 10 on target without scoring. Only Swansea’s Sung Yeung Ki has had more shots without scoring.
– McAnuff has, however, contributed 7 assists and delivered 64 crosses, the 8th highest among the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index.
– Reading’s wide play has been a feature this season, and Nicky Shorey is also ranked highly for crosses delivered with 53, the fourth highest from a defender this season. Gareth McCleary, meanwhile, is second only to Robin van Persie among the Index’s strikers for crosses delivered with 37.
– Mikele Leigertwood became one of six players to have attempted 100 or more tackles this season against Villa. He has now attempted 103 tackles. Of those six players, Leigertwood has the best tackles won percentage, coming away with the ball after 64.1% of his tackles.