Who is United's best presser in 2021/22?

Hunting the ball when it is in the possession of the opposition has become a feature of the way teams play in the Premier League.

Stats site FBREF.com compile data that logs key moments in matches, including the number of times a player applies pressure to an opponent who is receiving, carrying or releasing the ball.

It is no great surprise that Fred comes out on top in this respect. The energetic Brazil international gets around the pitch in an attempt to retrieve possession and has been in good form of late.

Bruno Fernandes is next best, although it is worth noting he makes much more of his defensive actions further up the field (applying pressure 158 times in the attacking third of the pitch) and is often the man tasked with leading the press.

TOTAL PRESSURES

486: Fred
467: Bruno Fernandes
380: Scott McTominay
234: Jadon Sancho
233: Paul Pogba

When it comes to successfully pressing, which is defined as United winning the ball within five seconds of applying the pressure, Bruno leads the way.

Fred is narrowly behind in second spot and Marcus Rashford breaks into the top five.

SUCCESSFUL PRESSURES

132: Bruno Fernandes
127: Fred
106: Scott McTominay
69: Paul Pogba
58: Marcus Rashford

The results are very different when looking at the success rate as a percentage, largely because there is a smaller sample for some players to work with.

Eric Bailly, always aggressive in trying to win the ball, heads this particular table, in front of fellow defender Victor Lindelof.

SUCCESSFUL PRESSURE PERCENTAGE

42.9%: Eric Bailly
39.4%: Victor Lindelof
39.3%: Anthony Martial
38.1%: Raphael Varane
37.7%: Edinson Cavani