Manchester United's Top Five Players of the Month for February
The shortest month of the year was jam-packed for Manchester United. Jose Mourinho's men crammed seven games in four competitions into February, and capped the month off with a trophy.
But who were their star performers as they played seven, won six and drew one, scoring 13 and conceding just three?
No prizes will be awarded for guessing who emerges in first place, but there were some interesting decisions lower down the rankings, with Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia unlucky to miss out.
In Blind's case a lack of games counted against him, and Valencia was rested for a couple of fixtures and significantly underperformed in the League Cup final, keeping him out of the ranks. He would have been in the top five pretty much any other month this season, though.
Let's take a look at the players who made it.
5: Anthony Martial
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Anthony Martial started the month under a cloud, with Mourinho's use of the Frenchman being called into question. However, he has proved himself a definitive first-XI player again, as evidenced by his starting berth at Wembley.
He returned to the team against Watford at Old Trafford on 11 February and rewarded Mourinho's decision to start him. He then turned in a stellar performance at home against St. Ettienne. He did not get on the scoresheet that day but tore things up from the left-wing, completing all of the six dribbles he attempted, causing all manner of havoc.
He was also a thorn in Southampton's side in the final, completing four of his six attempted dribbles. It was one of those runs that led to Zlatan Ibrhamovic's late winner.
Martial's presence of mind not to attempt a shot once he opened up space around the D of the penalty area, but rather to calmly feed Ander Herrera—untroubled by opposition defenders too concerned by dealing with Martial—was a key factor in the goal's creation.
If the rest of the season is to be as positive for United as February has been, Martial will have a lot to do with it. He seems much more at home in Mourinho's system now, and he might even be better coming in off the left flank than he was as a central striker.
He adds so much to the Red Devils attack that it is bizarre to think there was any uncertainty about his future. Even though he only really played for half the month, he is well worth his place here.
4: Paul Pogba
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Paul Pogba made a vital, telling impact more than once in February. The peak moment came in the fifth-round FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers. With United needing a goal, he and Ibrahimovic were brought on together—the cavalry sent to the rescue.
It worked a treat as Pogba's long pass found the Swede and United went through. That might have been his only assist, but it should not have been. He made three key passes against Hull City in the league, one against Leicester City, one against Watford, three against Blackburn, two in the home leg against St. Etienne and two in the away leg.
That is in addition to the ample defensive work he does—three tackles, an interception and all four of his aerial duels won against Watford, for example.
Pogba's season has been consistent and impressive. While his massive price tag comes with an unrealistic set of expectations, the truth is United are far better off for having him in the side. His range of passing is remarkable. His long passing is the best they have had since Paul Scholes retired. His understanding with Ibrahimovic has continued to develop and the two of them make for a seriously impressive double act.
There is doubtless even more to come, but what has come so far has not been too shabby.
3: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan started five games in February, scoring twice and notching two assists, including an absolute peach of a through ball for Marcus Rashford in the cup against Blackburn.
His injury in the early stages of the game against St. Etienne was a huge blow—the course of United's League Cup final may have run considerably more smoothly had the Armenian been available for selection.
He combines invention, an eye for goal and a capacity to be in the right place at the right time with a fierce tenacity when it comes to winning the ball back. He and Herrera combine very effectively when United lose possession and need to press.
Mkhitaryan is an excellent player and other than a slightly underwhelming turn against Hull at the start of the month, has been really good every time he has played. In the one game after that in which he did not score or assist—Watford at home—he made three key passes, completed three dribbles, completed 87 per cent of his 62 attempted passes and made two tackles and an interception.
A full season of Mkhitaryan next time out would make an enormous difference to United's fortunes.
2: Ander Herrera
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Ander Herrera was already a huge fan favourite at United before this season, and Louis van Gaal's irregular use of the former Athletic Bilbao man was a source of tremendous frustration.
Now, he is approaching first-name-on-the-teamsheet status, or at least name-definitely-on-the-teamsheet-if-available-for-selection status. He has had an excellent month, contributing positively to almost everything United have achieved in February.
His numbers in the League Cup final are reasonably typical. Playing first as the anchor man in a 4-2-3-1 and then as a box-to-box player in a 4-3-3 Herrera completed 84 per cent of his 64 passes (actually, this number is a little on the low side for him, and speaks to the trouble United had as a collective in keeping the ball).
One of those passes was key, the inch-perfect assist for Ibrahimovic. He also attempted and succeeded with two dribbles.
But it is on the defensive side where his numbers consistently excel. He made seven tackles against Southampton, the same number he made against Watford and St. Etienne at home. He has been a vital part of United's defensive unit and has the skills to then turn that into attack. He and Pogba have built a really good partnership, with or without Michael Carrick alongside them.
Indeed because of his relentless consistency, in most months, Herrera would be in the running for the No. 1 spot.
Not this month, though...
1: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
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Life is full of difficult decisions, moments when you have to weigh up numerous complex, nuanced factors to draw conclusions where there is no black and white wrong and right. Deciding on Manchester United's player of the month for February is not one of those moments.
Manchester United's player of the month for February is Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
In six starts and one substitute appearance he has seven goals and an assist. He managed to score a hat-trick against his favourite opposition—St. Etienne—even without playing all that well.
And then, when United needed him most, with their backs against the wall, struggling to find the best of themselves in a cup final with everything on the line, he stepped up like the leader and talisman he is.
He scored a brilliant free-kick to give United the lead. In the build up to his late winner he did the following—and credit to @ElGatoPereira1 on Twitter for the inspiration here:
- Headed away a goal-bound header.
- Cleared the subsequent corner.
- Drove the counter-attack up the pitch.
- Hung back until just the right moment.
- Got in position to score from the cross.
He stepped up when it was needed most, as he had been doing all month. There is absolutely no doubt he deserves the No. 1 spot here.
All advanced data per WhoScored.com.
