Which Red is ranked as the World Cup's best player?

Monday 05 December 2022 09:40

Most of Manchester United's players involved in the World Cup have, in general, been enjoying a successful tournament so far.

There have been stand-out moments for a number of individuals and we already know our England contingent (Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford) are safely through to a huge clash with Raphael Varane's France on Saturday.

Lisandro Martinez, outstanding after coming on in Argentina's win over Australia, also has a quarter-final date to relish, against Tyrell Malacia's Netherlands.

However, one Red who has yet to clinch a place in the last eight, midfield maestro Bruno Fernandes, is currently ranked as the best player at the tournament, according to ratings supplied by WhoScored.com.


The Portugal playmaker followed up two assists in the 3-2 victory over Ghana with both goals in the 2-0 triumph against Uruguay.

After sitting out the defeat to South Korea, he currently has the best overall rating on the stats site, with his 8.36 narrowly ahead of France sensation Kylian Mbappe, the bookmakers' favourite to land the Golden Ball for the top performer in Qatar.

Lionel Messi is in third spot after his exploits for Argentina, in what could be his last World Cup.

Meanwhile another Red, Casemiro, sits fourth. Like Bruno, the Brazil midfielder sat out the final fixture of the group stage with his nation already assured of qualification.

Both United men are in the discussion for the prestigious individual award at the finals but, of course, much depend on what unfolds in the final fortnight. There is still no reason why Rashford, with three goals to his name already, cannot be in contention, while the other remaining Old Trafford representatives will be determined to show their class in the do-or-die encounters.

Casemiro is expected to play again tonight (Monday 19:00 GMT) in Brazil's last-16 tie against South Korea. Next up for Fernandes, and Diogo Dalot, is Tuesday evening's showdown with Switzerland, which will conclude the first knockout round.

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