3 fastest Manchester United players this season

Last week, Manchester United managed to usurp Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in back to back Premier League games, marking the first time this season that the Red Devils have won 2 games in a row in the league. The mood at Old Trafford is understandably buoyant; Manchester United did not just win those two games, they dominated two of the best teams in the league. The derby win was also the icing on the cake of their recent resurgence.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer certainly deserves the lion’s share of the credit, after all, it was his fast and fluid counter-attacking system that left the opponents seething on the pitch. The Red Devils have shown a tendency to revert to the traditional United style of play that is built on fast players who can be devastating on the break.

Like the blessed teams of the old, Manchester United’s current crop of players also features some fantastic speedsters, who have achieved unbelievable top speeds this season. But who is the fastest among them all?

All stats are taken from the official Manchester United website.

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3. Jesse Lingard: Top speed – 34.43 km/hr

Jesse Lingard

The Englishman has been the brunt of criticism from fans and opponents alike, owing to his poor goal scoring record in recent times. Lingard had been through a dry patch for the majority of the year but finally answered his critics against Astana in the Europa League a fortnight ago, where he got back his goalscoring touch. Regardless of his form in front of goal, the Englishman remains crucial to Solskjaer’s style of play at Manchester United.

Lingard has thrived in the hole behind the striker in the Norwegian’s high press formation. The Englishman’s energy and commitment to closing down the opposition remains one of the key aspects of his gameplay. However, the biggest reason why Lingard remains vital to this United team is his speed on the pitch.

The Manchester United academy graduate is also one of the fastest players in the United squad and his speed is an asset when the Red Devils hit the opposition on the break. The Englishman is a part of the fantastic front four of Manchester United who have struck gold this season on the counter-attack.

Against Manchester City, Lingard was one of the unsung heroes on the pitch. He covered the most distance on the pitch – 11.88kms and his infectious speed caused the City backline a lot of headaches. The Englishman was also United’s fastest player on the day, hitting a top speed of 34.43 km/hr and even drew praise from Solskjaer for his performance.

2. Daniel James: Top Speed – 35.70 km/hr

Daniel James

The initial report about the Welshman after his move to Old Trafford this summer was that he was extremely quick. Daniel James was expected to be one for the future, but the Manchester United scouting team deserves all the credit in the world for unearthing a gem. He has the perfect attitude on the pitch, puts in a shift every time he steps foot on the ground and has displayed great strength of character despite being regularly targeted by the opposition.

The Welshman is nowhere near the finished material yet, which makes him a frightening proposition to look forward to. James has made the right-wing position at United his own and has shown an eye for the final pass too. On the break, he is lightning quick, burning up the ground with his pace and has quickly become every defender’s nightmare.

His speed has been used brilliantly by Solskjaer so far and James has been the quickest Manchester United player in 7 of the 16 games in the league. The Welshman had a fiery introduction to the Premier League, scoring a goal in his very first game against Chelsea. He also was the fastest player on the pitch that day, hitting a top speed of 33.52 km/hr. Subsequently, James has crossed the 34 km/hr mark in 2 games and the 35km/hr barrier on 3 occasions.

His top speed, though, was achieved against Sheffield United, when he was once again the fastest United player on the pitch, recording 35.70 km/hr. Surprisingly, he still isn’t the fastest Manchester United player this season.

1. Marcus Rashford: Top Speed – 36.32 km/hr

Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford is on a roll this season. He is currently on a run of 10 goals in his last 11 games and is quickly establishing himself as one of the most dangerous players in the league. Whereas the speeds of Lingard and James are their biggest assets, the Englishman has mixed his outstanding speed with brilliant goal scoring form.

Rashford is without doubt Manchester United’s most potent attacking weapon at present and is also the fastest at the club player right now. The Englishman helped United get the better of Tottenham and Manchester City in a space of 3 days, scoring 3 goals in those 2 games.

Against the traditional top 6 this season, he has managed to score 6 goals in 5 games. He also has 2 goals against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and even scored the winner against Leicester City earlier in the season.

There are few players in the world who can match the speed and power of Rashford when he breaks free. The Englishman covers up ground in a flash, spearheading Manchester United’s breakneck counter-attacks and adds power and precision to the final third of the pitch.

The Englishman has been the fastest Manchester United player on 8 of the 16 games this season. He remains the only United player to break the 36 km/hr barrier this term, a feat he managed twice. The Englishman’s top speed was achieved against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford when he recorded 36.32 km/hr.