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Manchester United have had a topsy-turvy season this term but they are not backing down from the challenge in the second half of the season. Goals may have been drying up in recent weeks, but their defensive resilience has increased.
Manchester United are starting to click defensively under Ralf Rangnick
Since Ralf Rangnick arrived at Old Trafford as interim manager, Manchester United have conceded only six goals in 10 games across all competitions. In that period, they have also climbed up to fourth in the Premier League table and progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
This defensive discipline has come out of cohesive pressing and an increase in winning balls without giving away fouls. Several players have improved in the fine art of tackling and it is resulting in conceding fewer chances for the opposition to score.
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On that note, let's take a look at the five best tacklers at Manchester United right now.
#5 Alex Telles
Alex Telles is becoming increasingly important to the way Manchester United function under Rangnick this season. The Brazilian full-back joined the club back in the summer of 2020 from Porto and is starting to play a more pivotal role this term.
Luke Shaw has appeared fatigued this season and has also had his fair share of injuries. At the same time, the manager has reverted to a three-man defense at times. These factors have led to Telles playing more minutes this season.
In doing so, his defensive tenacity is also proving to be a blessing. Quite athletic and agile, the 29-year-old ace often pinches the ball away from opposition attackers when they are at full speed. His experience also allows him to play comfortably against the best of wingers without ever feeling intimidated.
In total, the left-back has attempted 27 tackles this season, and has won 13 of those, garnering a near 50% success rate.
Telles could play more often in the second half of the season and it might not be a surprise if he takes top spot on the list by the end of it.
#4 Scott McTominay
Scott McTominay has arguably been the best midfielder at Manchester United this season. The Scot has been bustling going forward and is also defensively aware of his primary duty of protecting the backline.
A box-to-box player, McTominay has the stamina to run up and down the pitch for the entirety of the game and his appetite has only increased under Rangnick. The German boss likes his team to continuously press the opposition and the 25-year-old ace carries this role out to a peach.
He always knows when to put his leg in to win the ball and is often in the face of the opposition. His tall stature also allows him to outmuscle most players and win aerial duels comfortably. The midfielder has won 20 tackles out of the 39 he has attempted this season, leading to a 51% success rate.
McTominay is only going to get better under a manager like Rangnick and his numbers are sure to increase in the coming months.
#3 Fred
Fred might be the most criticized player at Manchester United this season but few have worked harder than him for the famous red jersey. The Brazilian ace has been an engine in midfield and has continued his tireless and selfless running under Rangnick.
The 28-year-old Samba star, like McTominay, is a box-to-box midfielder but covers a lot more ground than his teammates. His fitness levels, agility and relentless desire to win the ball back for his side have been more than useful.
He rarely leaves sight of the ball. He often puts his body on the line to get to the ball first or stop the opposition from orchestrating a counter-attack. He has also been one of the key reasons for an improvement in defensive statistics under the interim boss.
Fred may be rash in challenging for the ball at times, but his intentions are always to gain possession for his side. In doing so, he has won 29 tackles out of the 47 he has attempted this term, which has resulted in a success rate of 62%.
Although not the most fancy player on the pitch, Fred plays his part in helping Manchester United tick in the center of the pitch.
#2 Aaron wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has always been one of the best tacklers of the ball in the Premier League. Nothing has changed in that regard since joining Manchester United in 2019 from Crystal Palace.
The Englishman was always a starter under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but has fallen slightly down the pecking order under Rangnick. Diogo Dalot has come to the fore instead but that has not taken away from what Wan-Bissaka brings to the side.
The 24-year-old ace can play as a centre-back and as a full-back, but he is a bigger asset in defense than going forward. He is an expert tackler on the ball and senses danger out quickly. What is even more impressive is that, more often than not, he comes away with the ball following a challenge. All of this has led to him winning 18 tackles out of the 28 he has attempted, thereby leading to a 64% success rate.
Wan-Bissaka could yet work on his offensive abilities but his defensive qualities are second to none in the Premier League.
#1 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes is the heart and soul of Manchester United and few can argue about his importance at the club. The Portuguese maestro arrived at the Theater of Dreams in January 2020 from Sporting and has not looked back since.
A crucial player under Solskjaer, Fernandes has also become an important figure under Rangnick. The German appreciates tireless runners and nobody epitomizes that better than the 27-year-old playmaker.
There have been times when he has looked out of breath but nobody loves stealing the ball from an opponent more than the attacking midfielder. He presses from the front and often also puts the opposition goalkeeper under pressure.
Moreover, he also makes good use of the ball once he wins it, thanks to his eye for chance creation. The former Sporting CP star has attempted 32 tackles this season and has won 25 of them, garnering a 78% success rate.
If Manchester United are to finish in the Top 4 this season, they shall need Fernandes to keep running the hard yards and winning the ball high up the pitch.
