While Manchester United attacking stars continue to deliver for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the same cannot be said about the non – performing players of Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.
The Red Devils currently sit second in the Premier League, 10 points behind Manchester City runaway leaders, but comfortably ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal’s top flight rivals.
Indeed, while Solskjaer ‘s men have got their fair share if they are criticized this season, they seem to have turned a corner and stayed on track to secure a place in the Champions League.
And, much of that is due to the achievements of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, who have both been in scintillating form in the third final.
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In fact, research by The Athletic shows just how influential the duo have been.
In terms of engaging in moves that lead to non-penalty goals in the Premier League this season, Fernandes is head and shoulders above his competitors.
The Portuguese superstar has eight goals, 10 assists and has made six touchdowns for United, putting him at the top of the hill with 24 assists.
Rashford’s Red Devils team-mate is tied for second place with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, one partner behind Fernandes.
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Unfortunately for Liverpool and Arsenal, their heroes were unable to repeat the heroes of the United and Tottenham stars.
For the Reds, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson are the only two representatives on their 26-man roster.
Salah comes down in 14th place, after scoring 11 goals, three assists and one lifting part, while Robertson finishes the list in the bottom on 14 assists.
Meanwhile, Arsenal only have one rep in Bukayo Saka, who has all five goals, two assists and seven build-up contributions to Robertson.
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With Arsenal down in 10th place, 11 points off fourth-placed West Ham, it is clear they are over-reliant on the 19-year-old England international.
The Gunners ‘cases this season, as well as the struggles suffered by Liverpool’ s Klopp side, are well documented.
And those offensive comparisons, with Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also appearing on the roster for United, shed some light on the difficulties Klopp and Arteta are facing.
Both managers need to add their attacking players more if they are to compete with United for Champions League football.