WhoScored have put together a combined XI for Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s clash between the two, and it’s fair to say it’s not going down very well.
WhoScored tweeted out their combined lineup for the two teams on Sunday morning. For each position, they included the Arsenal or Manchester United player with the highest season rating according to their statistical analysis.
They didn’t include players with fewer than 10 appearances or those who are currently injured or suspended. That means despite strong form this season, Lucas Torreira, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin weren’t available, among others.
Arsenal vs Manchester United combined XI
Arsenal players 6⃣
Manchester United players 5⃣Where would this side finish in a Premier League season?
Full match preview — https://t.co/mzxRypZlxp pic.twitter.com/dHLDAp78OE
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 10, 2019
There are a number of surprises here. Ander Herrera finding his way into a midfield that includes options like Nemanja Matic, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Özil and Matteo Guendouzi is definitely one. Shkodran Mustafi getting in ahead of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Victor Lindelof is another.
Not many would have predicted Bernd Leno over David De Gea either, even if the German is in better form at this moment. Manchester United fans, in particular, weren’t happy with the XI:
Worst XI I’ve ever seen
— FergieTime™️ (@SSIIIIUUUU) March 10, 2019
Leno ahead of De Gea?
— 🎱 ʙᴀʟʟ (@striinger_bell) March 10, 2019
Joker where is victor👊
— Lopez (@Shegzylopez2) March 10, 2019
Leno over degea…joker😂😂
— Samuel Kay (@itz_sammiekay) March 10, 2019
What the fucking shit is this shit?
— Nemanja Vidic (@TheNemanjaVidic) March 10, 2019
On the other hand, the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba are all worthy recipients of a spot, so it’s not all bad.
Of course, WhoScored’s ratings are just based on statistics, not opinions, and it’s hard to argue with numbers. Perhaps the site needs to look at the algorithm producing the ratings if it’s returning these kinds of results though.