Euro 2020 Reds: Our best group-stage stats

Ten United stars have taken to the pitch in total to represent six different nations across the tournament’s opening fortnight, with David De Gea of Spain potentially being another in the weeks to come.

With the group stage now all wrapped up, and the knockout phase set to get underway this weekend, we thought it would be a good time to look at some of the stand-out stats registered by our Reds so far at Euro 2020.

So, here’s a rundown of those numbers for you…

IN-FORM SHAW

Just as he did for United last season, Luke has played a key role both in defence and attack for England so far at Euro 2020, carrying over his excellent form from the 2020/21 campaign into the tournament.  Despite not featuring in the Three Lions’ opening-game victory over Croatia, the full-back created the most chances for Gareth Southgate’s side in the group stage with his three opportunities the highest number crafted by any English player in the competition so far. Shaw has played every minute since that first match, contributing towards back-to-back clean sheets against Scotland and Czech Republic on the way to helping England top Group D with seven points from a possible nine. 

HARRY’S IMPRESSIVE RETURN

Our skipper is another player who has played his part in helping England to put up a perfect record at the back so far in this tournament. Having recovered from the ankle problem that saw him sidelined for the final few weeks of the 2020/21 season, Maguire made his return to action in the Three Lions’ final group game against the Czech Republic on Tuesday, playing 90 minutes as Southgate's team registered a third-successive clean sheet in the competition with a 1-0 win. Like Shaw, the centre-back has also had a hand in constructing attacks for his nation, producing more final-third passes than any other player in that victory against the Czechs (8).

POGBA’S UNBEATEN STREAK 

The Frenchman has received plenty of plaudits for his performances across France’s first three matches which saw them accumulate more points than tournament holders Portugal, Germany, and Hungary to top Group F. Les Bleus went unbeaten in the ‘group of death’ with Pogba and Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante starting side-by-side in the middle of the park, in all three of their games. The pair have now played together 30 times for their national side at senior level without losing (22 wins, eight draws), forming a robust partnership in midfield, with their 21 ball recoveries each the joint-highest for Didier Deschamps’ side so far in this tournament, while our man is second only to Antoine Griezmann for chances created by a player donning that famous blue shirt. 

DALOT RACKING UP EUROS MINUTES

Playing in one European Championship in a year is impressive, but Diogo has doubled up on that feat this summer and is currently competing in his second Euros of the post-season months. Having helped Portugal’s Under-21s side to the final of the U21 competition earlier in June, Dalot was drafted into Fernando Santos's squad for the tournament to replace Joao Cancelo following a positive Covid-19 test. It was a first call-up to the senior side for our no.20 who, after making his debut in Wednesday’s draw with France, has now played in seven different matches across the two championships in 2021. 

SHOUT-OUT TO SCOTTY

Unfortunately, McTominay became the only Red to bow out at the group phase of this summer’s tournament with Scotland tallying just the one point from their three Group D matches. It certainly was not through a lack of trying for Scott and our no.39 can be proud of his performances despite the overriding result. The midfielder played every minute of the Tartan Army’s campaign, across both defence and midfield, completing a team-high in passes (115) and interceptions (6) while he was just one behind Aston Villa’s John McGinn in the ball recoveries and tackles columns.

THE ICE MAN

Victor Lindelof is enjoying himself in the yellow and blue of Sweden this summer and has been integral towards his nation’s solidity at the back, playing every minute of his side’s three matches in which they kept two clean sheets and picked up seven points on the way to topping Group E. Sweden rank second-lowest of all teams so far for possession, ahead of only Hungary, making it even more important that they are efficient when on the ball. Lindelof has been key towards ensuring this, completing 90% (a team-high) of his 96 passes (also a team-high) across their campaign to date.

JAMES REGISTERS BLISTERING SPEED

Daniel James has wasted no time in taking to the stage that major tournaments provide. With this summer’s European Championship his first finals, the Welshman has been keen to display his array of talents to the world in his country’s opening matches. On the way to helping Wales set up a second-successive last-16 appearance at the Euros, the winger clocked the second-fastest speed at the tournament after the first two match days (33.5 km/h) behind only Italy’s Leonardo Spinazzola. His devastating pace opened up space for him on the attack too, with his three opportunities created the joint-most by anyone in Robert Page’s squad in the group stage.

Stats via Statman Dave, Opta, and UEFA.com.