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Three United players make group stages XI

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WhoScored, which is a football statistics platform, has named its World Cup group stages XI and it contains three Manchester United players in the line-up.

It would have been a difficult selection to name because there has been a number of standout performances from the United players at the World Cup, but only three made the cut and those three were Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.

The inclusion of all three of Erik ten Hag’s players is fully deserved because they have all contributed positively to their countries success at the World Cup thus far.

Harry Maguire was awarded a 7.43 rating by WhoScored and this is a fair rating for the United captain because he registered an assist during England’s 6-2 win over Iran and he helped Gareth Southgate’s side keep two consecutive clean sheets in their 0-0 draw with the United States of America and in the 3-0 win over Wales.

Maguire has got his confidence back because whilst playing for England, it is clear to see that he is passing with much more conviction and he is progressing with the ball from deep positions, which has been a useful asset for Maguire in previous years but when his confidence worsened he was not doing this for United. Nevertheless, it is great to see Maguire showcasing his talents on the biggest stage, and putting in good performances for the Three Lions, which Gary Neville says will make him feel like “bulletproof” when he returns to United after the World Cup.

Casemiro was the second United player to make the WhoScored group stage XI and he was awarded a rating of 7.89 and has been paired alongside United’s summer target, Frenkie de Jong.

Casemiro has kept it tidy and efficient for Brazil through his vision, passing and tackling. The midfielder was given a rating of 7.89. He even popped up with a goal as he scored the only goal of the game with a brilliant strike in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Switzerland. Casemiro has been one of United’s most influential players this season because his calmness and authority in the centre of midfield has allowed United to more often than not control games and he is displaying those qualities for Brazil on the international stage.

The third and final United player that was selected by WhoScored was, Bruno Fernandes and out of the three player he was the rated the highest with a rating of 8.36. Everything that Portugal have done well has come from Fernandes as it was his two assists in the opening game that helped Portugal defeat Ghana 3-2. After his contribution to the win over the Black Stars, Fernandes inspired his side to a 2-0 win over Uruguay, in a game which he scored two goals, and it just underlined how important he is for Fernando Santos’ side.

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