As always we’ll be using Squawka to help us pick the best combined team based on performances, form and minutes. Let’s take a look at our combined Swansea and Manchester United XI-
Team Form
Manchester United have won only once in last five Premier League games.
Swansea haven’t won a Premier League game since the opening match of the season.
Key stats
Goals- Leroy Fer (Swansea), Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)
Assists- Modou Barrow (Swansea), Blind (Manchester United)
Chances Created- Modou Barrow (Swansea), Pogba (Manchester United)
Formation- 4-5-1
Goalkeeper- David De Gea
Since both goalkeepers are close on Squakwa performance scores and matches played we’ve decided to select De Gea based on better team results. Unfortunately for Fabianski, who just misses out, his team have been performing horribly.
As mentioned earlier, Swansea have only won one game at the start of the season. Under new boss Bob Bradley, the team may eventually pick up performances but will need time to adjust. De Gea has also yet to show his best form due to a solid defence ahead of him.
Defence- Kyle Naughton, Jordi Amat, Blind, Shaw.
There are far better performers in Bailly and Valencia who deserve to be included ahead of others but miss out due to injuries. In the heart of defence we’ll pair Swansea’s Jordi Amat with Blind while Shaw and Naughton play either side of them in the full back positions.
Naughton is his team’s third best performer in the Premier League and for a right back that is pretty impressive. It is of course quite telling on the rest of the team for being unable to perform that well too but credit where credit is due.
This is also reflected in Manchester United’s squad with Blind being the Red Devils best performer. Perhaps this is due to his assists which I think came from corners or the left back position and not from where he usually plays in centre back.
Midfield- Sigurdsson, Fer, Mata, Fellaini, Lingard
In midfield there was an issue of too many creative players so we’re stuck with having Fellaini play as our defensive midfielder while Mata and Sigurdsson can roam around ahead of him. Lingard and Fer will play on either wing, allowed to switch positions whenever needed to confuse defenders.
Herrera and Pogba miss out on this team due to a suspension and injury respectively. Swansea’s Ki Sung, who has a habit of scoring against Manchester United, misses out due to Fellaini and Lingard performing better in the league according to Squawka.
The midfield is very attacking and so Mata or Sigurdsson will be expected to take turns in helping Fellaini with the defensive side of the game. After all, Fellaini is hardly the most solid defensive midfielder but hopefully with his aggressiveness and stature he will bully attackers away from goal.
Attack- Ibrahimovic
Once again, Ibrahimovic rules the striker position. He’s hardly had any competitors to contend with and lives off past early season performances. While Rooney did score against Fenerbahce, unfortunately for him we’re only considering Premier League form and so this doesn’t help his case.
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The Swede striker has missed goals galore but has still created chances for his team and with Rooney not playing 90 minutes since the Watford game, Ibrahimovic gets the nod. Martial and Rashford have seen stunted displays due to them being squeezed out wide.
Swansea’s Llorente is still adjusting to the team and has scored 1 goal in 8 appearances. Sooner or later Ibrahimovic will face competition for his position whether it’s a United player or opposition player. Until then however, the former PSG man will lead the line for this combined XI.
So there’s our starting 11 with 4 Swansea players and 7 United players. Do you agree with this combined XI? Got better suggestions? Let us know in the comment section below!