Manchester United Statistics Preview

Last updated : 13 September 2012 By Paul Farrington

Man Utd v Wigan  15:00

- A superb hat-trick from new Manchester Utd talisman Robin van Persie was enough to prise three points away from Southampton.

- Prolific though he may have been at the start of this season, Robin van Persie has the potential to be even more lethal in front of goal. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index 45% of his 11 shots on target so far have been off target, an unusual figure for the normally accurate Dutchman

- Michael Carrick is clearly viewed by his team mates as the centre point of their efforts for this season moving forward. He’s already received the ball 285 times according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index

- Not only has Antonio Valencia provided the most amount of crosses so far in the Premier League this season according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index at 16, he has also successfully 55 passes in the attacking third of the pitch

- Wigan will likely be disappointed not to have closed out the game against Stoke last time out. It ended 2-2 despite goals from Shaun Maloney and Franco di Santo looking to have secured the win for Roberto Martinez’s side before a Peter Crouch equaliser

- Defender Ivan Ramis has produced some excellent defensive work so far this season, being successful with 90% of his 10 tackles so far and conceding only 2 fouls

- Gary Caldwell’s will be looking for more consistency given his mixed start to the season. Despite conceding fouls on 45% of his challenges he’s contributed 10 clearances and 21 interceptions according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index

- Roberto Martinez will no doubt be pleased with the performances of Emmerson Boyce recently. The 33 year old has provided 12 crosses this season already

- Boyce also ranks second on the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index for top speed recorded by any player this season with 23.07mph

- Arouna Kone has certainly shown a willingness to take the game to the opposition this season. He ranks first for total dribbles this season with 7 according to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index