Ranking Manchester United's Top 5 Players for September

Manchester United have had a very good September. Finishing the month top of the league seemed an unlikely outcome when the transfer window closed at the beginning of the month.

On the back of a defeat to Swansea and a lack-lustre draw against Newcastle, United's only late moves had been to ship out players and bring in a relatively unknown French teenager at huge expense. 

So far, it has proved a remarkably effective strategy.

Anthony Martial has been an instant hit, the team has been lifted and they have scored three goals in each of their domestic games.

Europe has proved trickier, and the return of the Champions League brought with it a huge blow as Luke Shaw suffered a horrible injury as United lost to PSV Eindhoven. Fortunately, United bounced back well, ending the month with a vital home win over Wolfsburg.

Tougher tests await United, but for now, let's take a look at the five players who were the Red Devils' finest performers in September.

David De Gea

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David De Gea was not supposed to be on this list. The end of the transfer window, however, saw his proposed move to Real Madrid collapse at the last possible moment. 

Rather than sulking about it, though, De Gea has signed a new contract with United and got on with the business of being one of the best in the game. 

He pips Daley Blind to fifth spot, with the Dutchman consigned to "honourable mention" status, largely thanks to their relative performances against Southampton. Blind—who has generally performed well—struggled against Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle in that game. 

De Gea, on the other hand, pulled off a couple of excellent saves and one almost super-human stop, making a direct contribution to a vital three points. He has hardly put a foot—or hand—wrong this month, but Southampton was his standout performance.

After last season, it is nice that some outfield players are ahead of the goalkeeper in one of these lists. It is even nicer that De Gea is still around.

Bastian Schweinsteiger

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Bastian Schweinsteiger has taken to Manchester United like a duck to water. It is very tempting here to write about aura, leadership and star quality—all things which Schweinsteiger has in abundance. 

It is important not to let those things get in the way of the fact that he has also just been very good on the pitch. There have been lapses—he seemed to get a little caught in the heat of the moment against Wolfsburg and could easily have been sent off for some of his protestations. 

However, earlier in the month, against Liverpool, he showed just why he is so important to United with a midfield masterclass. The numbers are impressive, particularly defensively wherein he made four tackles, three interceptions and two clearances, per WhoScored. 

More than the numbers, though, was the fact he always seems to find a way to get himself into space without compromising the team's structure.

No wonder Louis van Gaal brought him to United—his former Bayern Munich charge knows how to play the possession game without making it staid.

The 31-year-old has got off to a superb start at United. Long may it continue.

Chris Smalling

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There is a gap between the top three and the rest of the pack here. Schweinsteiger has made a couple of errors, but pipped De Gea for his all-round impact. De Gea had one truly outstanding game, but has not been overly taxed during the rest of the month. 

The top three, though, have been the clear standouts. Chris Smalling is only in third place because of how much the top two have contributed. 

Smalling has played every minute for United this month. His performances have been so good, his manager told the press following the Wolfsburg game (via the club's website), "His development as a player is amazing, so I am very happy with him."

Barring one lapse in concentration in the very early stages of that game, Smalling has been a rock for United. Against Sunderland he made three tackles and eight clearances. Against Liverpool there were four interceptions. He recovered wonderfully against Wolfsburg, too, making two tackles, three interceptions and seven clearances. 

He then capped off the month with a goal any striker would be proud of. Alive to the opportunity provided to him by Juan Mata's brilliant assist, he slid in and guided the ball past the forlorn goalkeeper. 

A superb month from the man who—if he keeps playing like this—will have to get used to hearing the chant of "There's only one Mike Smalling."

Juan Mata

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With three goals and three assists, Mata had a superb September. 

He is ahead of Smalling here because United's attack has been the story of the month, rather than the defence, and Mata has been at the heart of much of what has been good about it. 

He has been particularly good in the past three games—scoring in each and also providing an assist in the past two. That kind of output is what was hoped for when he was signed from Chelsea.

It is hard not to speculate just how effective he could be if played more centrally, but for now he is doing a fine job coming in off the right flank. 

He has a poacher's instinct in front of goal—the miss against PSV aside—and the ability to pull off the occasional moment of spectacular brilliance, such as his assist against Wolfsburg.

Mata has become a crucial component of Van Gaal's side, and as previously noted, he will be integral to any success United have this season.

Anthony Martial

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Any other month, and Mata could be enjoying top spot. However, in his first month at United there is only one choice for No. 1.

Anthony Martial has stepped into the Old Trafford spotlight and performed like it was the stage on which he was born to play.

Four goals and an assist in his first six United games tell an impressive story. What is even more impressive is they do not tell the whole story. 

It is early days, but for now it is honestly accurate to say that Martial has transformed United's attack. Before his arrival, the Red Devils had not scored more than one goal in any domestic game. They had scored plenty against Club Brugge, but the Belgians were in the midst of a full-blown injury crisis. 

Since Martial has arrived, United cannot stop scoring. Correlation is, as ever, not the same as causation, but there are certainly causal links here.

Firstly, the 19-year-old has scored plenty of those goals himself. Secondly, he has completely changed the proposition defenders face when they take on United. He is so confident on the ball—he is averaging 2.3 dribbles per league game so far this season. 

However, where, say, Memphis Depay has often dribbled himself into trouble, Martial has regularly used his dribbling to create serious danger for the opposition. This was never more in evidence than against Liverpool, where he announced himself with such aplomb. 

Defenders are preoccupied with him, meaning space has opened up for Mata in particular to exploit.

It has been almost impossible to avoid some giddiness about his future, but whatever happens from here on out, it has been a remarkable start for Martial at Manchester United.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.