Defenders
RB: Antonio Valencia – Manchester United
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When United entered the season with Matteo Darmian as their right-back, many feared for their defensive strength for the whole campaign.
Mourinho opted to play winger Antonio Valencia in the role, and the Ecuadorian international has thrived in the position. With both Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta drastically underperforming, Valencia is the outstanding candidate for the right-back position.
Staggeringly, Valencia makes on average four defensive interceptions per game while also adding an attacking threat having created 27 key passes leading to an opportunity on goal.
CB: Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has returned to the playing eleven in recent weeks and already instilled a confidence and security to this ageing and fragile backline.
Injuries have destroyed the Belgian leader over the past three years but since returning to the first-team, Kompany has guided City to three clean sheets in five games. Also, his form hasn't dipped and with the player averaging four defensive interceptions weekly, he remains head and shoulders above everyone else.
CB: Eric Bailly – Manchester United
The hardest decision was to choose a partner for Vincent Kompany in this side, but statistics don't lie and Eric Bailly's season guarantees him a spot in the eleven.
Little was known about the Ivorian when he signed for United last July, but his contribution has been sensational; meaning he edges Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones out of contention.
Bailly, unlike Stones' four mistakes, has not made a single error leading to a goalscoring opportunity all campaign. The player also averages a whopping nine defensive clearances per game. (Mourinho's system plays a major factor in that statistic).
LB: Aleksandar Kolarov – Manchester City
Much like Antonio Valencia, little was expected of Aleksandar Kolarov at the beginning of the season as predictions were made that his future lay elsewhere. Nonetheless, the Serbian defender has been an integral part of Guardiola's backline and remained the club's most consistent defender.
Kolarov averages a total of eight interceptions per game and his attacking nature hasn't decreased in quantity. He has still managed a stunning 11 key passes this campaign when his prominent position has seen him feature at centre-back. With Luke Shaw's lack of form, and Matteo Darmian being played out of position, Kolarov is the ideal candidate at left-back.
