STATS: Mata covers more ground for Manchester United than anyone else

Burnley v Manchester United

Burnley will be hoping to give their Premier League campaign a re-boot after their two opening fixtures on their return to the top flight of English football have ended in defeat. They will be looking to tighten up their defence, which has shipped four goals in two games, and add to their only Premier League goal of the campaign so far.

One of the bright points to their season so far has been midfielder Scott Arfield, who is the only Burnley player to have hit the target on more than one occasion this year, with one of those two finding the back of the Chelsea net. EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has completed 24.66km over his first two games, including 111 sprints and it is this lung bursting type of run that could see him test the Manchester United midfield and back four.

Equally impressive has been Arfield’s midfield partner Dean Marney, who will be integral to Burnley’s chances this weekend. If Burnley are to contain the Red Devils, Marney will need to add to the 24.05km he has already covered in the first two games of the season. EA SPORTS Player performance Index shows us that he has won nine tackles, the highest at the club, and has also racked up five interceptions.

Burnley have only managed one goal in their first two games, but their strikers will be lining up against a new look United defence after the departures of Vidic and Ferdinand in the summer. Lukas Jutkiewicz has had four shots off target and Danny Ings has also failed to hit the target from his five attempts, but the pair will fancy their chances this weekend. According to EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, they have both hit a top speed of 31.9km/h, and will look to trouble the United defence with their pace.

Manchester United are still looking for their first win of the season, having started their season with a possible one point from six. Having completed the British transfer record signing of Angel Di Maria, their squad will be looking to win in impressive fashion as every player fights for their place.

United’s goal scorer against Sunderland on Sunday, Juan Mata, has started the season impressively so far. According to EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, he has completed over 25.14km in his first two games of the season, nearly 2km more than anyone else in the squad. EA SPORTS data also reveals that he has hit the target twice more, attempted seven crosses and boasts an impressive 88.89% pass completion rate.

Wayne Rooney opened United’s scoring account for the season, and has looked every inch the new captain in those two games. EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that he has hit the target three times and completed five dribbles, both of which are more than any other United player. He has completed 85.33% of his passes in the first two games of the season in which he has also covered 23.17km.

Rumors have circulated that Ashley Young is one of the players who may lose his position with the arrival of Angel Di Maria, but EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows how good a start Ashley Young has made to the season. His two attempts this season have both found the target and his five clearances and five interceptions show his defensive work rate. His 15 attempted crosses is more than double anybody else in the United squad has managed. The 32.34km that he has covered across the two games is bettered only by Rooney and Mata, and his top speed of 33.3km/h is the second fastest pace recorded by any United player.