Tag Archives: statistics

Wayne Rooney injured for three weeks with knee injury

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Rooney sidelined for up to three weeks in blow for title-chasing United boss Ferguson

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UPDATED:

18:36 GMT, 26 December 2012

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be sidelined for between two and three weeks after sustaining knee ligament damage in training.

The England forward was missing from the line up for the Red Devils' 4-3 victory over Newcastle today.

After his poor performance against Swansea on Sunday, Ferguson would have loved the hitman to come out swinging against Newcastle, but could not select him due to injury.

Sidelined: An injured Wayne Rooney watched on from an executive box at Old Trafford as United won 4-3

Sidelined: An injured Wayne Rooney watched on from an executive box at Old Trafford as United won 4-3

Will United miss Rooney

Opta statistics from the last two seasons of Premier League football indicate that Javier Hernandez will be able to step up to the mark in Rooney's absence.

Although he has scored under half the number of goals, his minutes per goal average is close to Rooney's.

This is because he has only started 22 games – exactly half of the number Rooney has.

Played
Goals
Min per goal
Van Persie
57
43
113.6
Rooney
48
34
115.4
Hernandez
40
16
124.0
Welbeck
43
10
257.9

'After his performance on Sunday I
think he would have been brilliant today. You don't have two
performances like he did on Sunday,' said Ferguson. 'Unfortunately we couldn't risk him.'

He continued: 'It was a volley towards the end of training. He did a ligament at the back of his knee and could be out for two to three weeks.'

Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez stepped up to the mark in Rooney's absence, both scoring as United managed to grab three points from a topsy-turvy game.

Danny Welbeck also missed the game after reporting an illness last night.

Rooney had performed fitfully this season – some of his better performances have actually come in central midfield rather than in his favoured striker's position.

Lethal: Javier Hernandez wheels away after scoring the final goal of the thriller against Newcastle

Lethal: Javier Hernandez wheels away after scoring the final goal of the thriller against Newcastle

Rooney will miss Premier League
matches against West Brom and Wigan, in addition to the FA Cup third
round tie at West Ham on January 5.

He also faces a race against time to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 13.

Ferguson continued: 'Danny Welbeck took ill in the team hotel last night.
'Ashley Young also got injured yesterday and Phil Jones got injured against Swansea.'

Tucked away: Robin van Persie has been at his imperious best for the last two seasons now

Tucked away: Robin van Persie has been at his imperious best for the last two seasons now

Skipper Nemanja Vidic was back on the bench today but Ferguson did not want to use him after the centre-back made his first start since September at the Liberty Stadium.

'We couldn't risk Vida after playing his first game,' said Ferguson.

'He had a bit of soreness in his knee, which is only to be expected after being out for so long.'

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to rejoin Manchester United

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Take me home! Fergie on red alert after Ronaldo tells friends 'he would love' United return

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UPDATED:

12:11 GMT, 23 December 2012

Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has told friends and former Manchester United team-mates that he would love to move back to his former side.

A day after Sir Alex Ferguson said he would love to have the attacker back at Old Trafford the 27-year-old has admitted he wants to 'come home', according to The Sun on Sunday.

His return to Manchester next year is guaranteed – Madrid have drawn United in the last 16 of the Champions League – but a more permanent switch would prove tricky.

Bring me back: Cristiano Ronaldo would enjoy a return to Old Trafford

Bring me back: Cristiano Ronaldo would enjoy a return to Old Trafford

Ronaldo's vital statistics

Using statistics from the Premier League, La Liga and the Champions League we can see Ronaldo has come into his own in a Real shirt.

Man United

Played: 248, Goals: 99, Assists: 43

Real Madrid

Played: 152, Goals: 155, Assists: 41

His contract get out clause is an eye-watering one billion euros and his contract has two-and-a-half years left to run at the Bernabeu.

Since moving to Spain in 2009 Ronaldo has bagged a superb 170 goals in 169 games in all competitions and his performances have seen him rewarded by being shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or.

The striker was – and still is – adored by Red Devils fans but not all Madrid supporters have taken to him with the same enthusiasm.

Trouble: Madrid are finding it impossible keep the pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga

Trouble: Madrid are finding it impossible keep the pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga

He would also like to work with Sir Alex Ferguson again – but if a deal was somehow struck between the two clubs it is possible he could still be working with Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid's manager is under pressure and could leave the Spanish giants.

He is a contender to succeed Ferguson at Old Trafford and would love to link up again with the Portugal captain.

Golden days: Sir Alex Ferguson with Ronaldo while at Manchester United

Golden days: Sir Alex Ferguson with Ronaldo while at Manchester United

Manchester United would be 12th without goals of Robin Van Persie, while Liverpool would be 19th without Luis Suarez

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Robin Reliant United would be languishing in 12th without Van Persie… while Suarez is saving Liverpool from the drop

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UPDATED:

14:56 GMT, 29 November 2012

When Sir Alex Ferguson pencils in a striker at the top of
his transfer shortlist, he usually pulls out all the stops to get his man. In
the case of Robin Van Persie, this involved persuading the owners to hand over
24m and even sympathising with Arsene Wenger over stealing his star asset.

But what a signing he is proved to be so far – and here’s
the proof. Without Van Persie’s nine goals and four assists, United wouldn’t be
leading the Premier League – they’d be languishing in 12th.

Opta statistics show that without the Dutchman, United
would have just three wins instead of ten and seven draws instead of none.
Their goal difference would be just +2 instead of a healthy +14 and they’d have
half the points of bitter rivals Manchester City.

Worth every penny! Robin Van Persie celebrates his goal against West Ham last night. Without his goals and assists, United would be 12th rather than top

Worth every penny! Robin Van Persie celebrates his goal against West Ham last night. Without his goals and assists, United would be 12th rather than top

ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Manchester United's record with Van Persie's goals and assists:

Pld 14 W 11 D 0 L 3 F 33 A 18 (+15) Pts 33

Record without Van Persie:

Pld 14 W 3 D 7 L 4 F 20 A 18 (+2) Pts 16

The figures just go to prove how much of an impact Van
Persie has made at Old Trafford. Without him, United would have been beaten at
Southampton and only taken a point from home matches with Fulham, Arsenal and
West Ham, and the away games at Chelsea and Liverpool.

Opta also studied how other clubs would be struggling
without their top scorers. Without Luis Suarez, who currently tops the charts
with ten goals and also has two assists, Liverpool would be second bottom.

They would only have one win to their credit instead of
three and ten fewer points. More worryingly, they would have lost ten matches
and be in real trouble.

Suarez has earned Liverpool at least a point on six
occasions in the league this season. Without the Uruguayan,
Brendan Rodgers would be in serious peril.

Mid-table: Manchester United would be 12th in the Premier League table if you removed Robin Van Persie from their line-up

Mid-table: Manchester United would be 12th in the Premier League table if you removed Robin Van Persie from their line-up

Saving the day: Luis Suarez has ten goals and two assists, winning Liverpool ten points in all. Without him, the Reds would be second bottom

Saving the day: Luis Suarez has ten goals and two assists, winning Liverpool ten points in all. Without him, the Reds would be second bottom

Trouble: Liverpool would be second bottom without the goals and assists of Luis Suarez

Trouble: Liverpool would be second bottom without the goals and assists of Luis Suarez

THE OTHERS

Liverpool's record with Suarez's goals and assists:

Pld 14 W 3 D 7 A 4 F 18 A 18 (0) Pts 16

Record without Suarez:

Pld 14 W 1 D 3 L 10 F 6 A 18 (-12) Pts 6

Newcastle's record with Ba's goals and assists:

Pld 14 W 3 D 5 L 6 F 14 A 21 (-7) Pts 14

Record without Ba:

Pld 14 W 1 D 5 L 8 F 6 A 20 (-14) Pts 8

Swansea's record with Michu's goals and assists:

Pld 14 W 5 D 5 L 4 F 21 A 17 (+4) Pts 20

Record without Michu:

Pld 14 W 3 D 5 L 6 F 12 A 17 (-5) Pts 14

Source:Opta

Similarly Alan Pardew at Newcastle, despite his
eight-year contract extension, because they would also be in the drop zone without
the eight goals of Demba Ba, with just one win to their credit and a measly
eight points on the board.

The Senegalese front man has proved the match winner in
home games with Tottenham, Norwich and West Brom, and his doubles have earned a
point for the Toon at Everton and Reading.

Without the eight goals of Michu, Swansea’s revelation,
they would be down in 16th instead of 9th.

The young Spaniard’s goals have
earned six points for the Welsh side which could prove crucial as the table
becomes congested in the New Year.

Michu earned Swansea a point at home to Sunderland and also Reading, plus he scored the winner in a 2-1 win against Wigan.

And, Swansea fans will argue, at just 2m he's already proving much better value than Van Persie…

Hot shot: Demba Ba certainly knows where the net is for Newcastle this season

Hot shot: Demba Ba certainly knows where the net is for Newcastle this season

At your service! Michu celebrates his goal against Newcastle on November 17

At your service! Michu celebrates his goal against Newcastle on November 17

Home Office confirms Football-related arrests down 24 per cent

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Football arrests at an all time low as Home Office confirms 24 per cent drop last season

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UPDATED:

15:05 GMT, 15 November 2012

The number of arrests from football matches involving teams from England and Wales has dropped by nearly a quarter, the Home Office has announced.

Arrests at international and domestic games in 2011-12 dropped by 24 per cent to 2,363, 726 fewer than in the previous year.

It means that football-related arrests are 'at an all-time low', policing and criminal justice minister Damian Green said.

Safe: There were record low arrests at football last season (stock image)

Safe: There were record low arrests at football last season (stock image)

There was no police presence at 53 per cent of all matches last season, in which officers did not have to make an arrest at 74 per cent of matches.

An average of less than one – or 0.72 – arrests were made per match, according to the Home Office figures that were gathered for the first time by the Office for National Statistics.

Tough banning orders have been used since 2000 to tackle football violence and disorder, which once scarred the sport and saw hooliganism termed “the English disease”.

Banning orders, which are time-limited, dropped to 2,750 from 3,173. There were 500 new banning orders imposed during last season.

Euro madness: Ugly scenes marred some of the games at Euro 2012

Euro madness: Ugly scenes marred some of the games at Euro 2012

Mr Green said: 'That football-related arrests are at an all-time low is testament to our hugely successful model of football policing.

'Where hooliganism was once described as “the English disease”, we now set an example for others to follow.

'No English supporters have been arrested for football-related offences at the last two major international tournaments, and domestically more than half of all matches had no police presence last season – freeing up officers to be on the beat in their communities.

'Despite this progress, football disorder has not been eradicated and remains a lingering threat. That is why we continue to work closely with European partners for international matches and use tough banning orders against those who step out of line.'

Vincent Kompany: I don"t listen to Manchester City"s critics

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Kompany paying no attention to City critics and says champions will be back to their best soon

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UPDATED:

23:49 GMT, 28 October 2012

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is not concerned by his or the team's critics and expects their tune to change soon enough.

City have so far this season lacked the dynamism which carried them to the Barclays Premier League title last term and their performances in the Champions League have been particularly disappointing.

That has led to some cutting analysis from outside the club, and Kompany, outstanding at the heart of City's defence in the last campaign, has also found his form the subject of scrutiny.

But the Belgian said: 'Personally, I don't ever get affected by it. I just keep living the life and keep working really hard. If one day goes a little bit less than another, I know I have at least done my best.

Winner: Carlos Tevez scored the only goal of the game for Manchester City

Winner: Carlos Tevez scored the only goal of the game for Manchester City

'/10/28/article-2224326-15B718EB000005DC-486_468x337.jpg” width=”468″ height=”337″ alt=”Battle: Vincent Kompany (left) was only interested in the three points” class=”blkBorder” />

Battle: Vincent Kompany (left) was only interested in the three points

Although the Champions League
situation is precarious, with City having collected just one point from
their first three group games, the Premier League position looks far
healthier.

Despite under-performing, the
champions remain unbeaten and Saturday's 1-0 win over Swansea was their
fourth victory in succession.

Kompany said: 'I feel good but we set
a very high standard last season. We want to achieve the same
performances as last season but it is a matter of time sometimes.

'When statistics are not going your way, there is no way of fighting by talking about it.

'Now we have got a clean sheet, we
are going into the next game and if we can keep getting good results,
things will fall into place naturally.

'Football is like a big piece of
theatre. We are on stage and when it goes well people are clapping you
and sometimes you get more praise than you should.

Party time: City celebrate after Tevez scores the winner against Swansea

Party time: City celebrate after Tevez scores the winner against Swansea

'Sometimes when it doesn't go as well as you want it, you'll be the worst player or the worst manager in the world.

'It is just part of the game and one thing I don't do is get involved.'

Kompany's own game has been dissected by television pundits but he does not intend to take any notice.

He said: 'Criticism just depends how
much attention you want to pay to it. I don't pay any attention to
criticism. I just do my own critique, so it doesn't affect me.

'I wouldn't expect the manager to be affected by it and I would expect the whole team to be very mature to kick on.

'Whatever criticism we are getting now, we are still unbeaten in the league. It just means we have set the standard very high.'

Darren Bent poor on Aston Villa return

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Darren a soft touch on his Villa return… just what has happened to hitman Bent

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 21 October 2012

What on earth has happened to Darren Bent

The former England striker was dropped to the bench for Aston Villa’s previous two matches, with summer signing Christian Benteke taking his place.

Anonymous: Darren Bent didn't have a sniff

Anonymous: Darren Bent didn't have a sniff

He returned to the starting line-up against Fulham on Saturday but was hauled off after 75 minutes by manager Paul Lambert, having made little impact on the match.

The statistics on his performance proved damning in the extreme. Three substitutes were on the field for less than 30 minutes but still had more touches than Bent, who had the fewest of any of the starting players.

Bent had the fourth fewest touches this weekend of any player who started in the Barclays Premier League — and two of them played for less than half an hour.

Just three of Bent’s 20 touches were inside Fulham’s penalty area and he managed only one shot, which was off target, and made 15 passes.

Villa’s best chance fell to substitute Benteke, who missed from six yards to extend his side’s winless away sequence to 13 matches.

Fulham’s winner came from Chris Baird in his 200th League game. Baird flicked home a corner that manager Martin Jol described as ‘the worst corner kick ever’, adding: ‘Someone said it was deliberate, but I don’t think it was.’

Rare: Chris Baird scored Fulham's winner

Rare: Chris Baird scored Fulham's winner

Premier League season so far

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How is it so far Figuring out what is happening in the Premier League

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UPDATED:

21:56 GMT, 3 September 2012

With the international break coming three games into the Premier League season, it is time to take stock. Which players have excelled and which teams have gelled Sportsmail breaks down the statistics and looks at what we have seen so far…

how is it so far GRAPHIC.jpg

ea sports logo.jpg

Euro 2012: England"s victory over Ukraine – stats, facts

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Mr Know It All gives you the inside track on England's victory over Ukraine

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UPDATED:

22:32 GMT, 19 June 2012

If you want to be in the know about England games, then Sportsmail’s Alex Kay is the England Mr Know It All. He has trawled all the statistics, spoken to the experts and studied the action from Tuesday's Group D decider.

Mr Know It All gives you the inside track on England's victory over Ukraine

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Euro 2012: The inside track on England"s victory over Sweden

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Mr Know It All gives you the inside track on England's victory over Sweden

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UPDATED:

22:53 GMT, 15 June 2012

If you want to be in the know about England games, then Sportsmail’s Alex Kay is the England Mr Know It All. He has trawled all the statistics, spoken to the experts and studied the action from Friday's Group D encounter against Sweden.

Mr know it all

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Eden Hazard heads to England with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City all looking to sign him

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Next stop, England for Eden after United, City and Chelsea target Hazard strikes for Belgium

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UPDATED:

09:17 GMT, 26 May 2012

Eden Hazard showed just why Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are desperate to sign him as he scored for Belgium against Montenegro on Friday.

The playmaker stepped up to take a penalty, which he coolly slotted past the goalkeeper – only to be told to take it again after the goal was ruled out for encroachment in the area – and the second time he rolled the ball the other side of the keeper. The game in Brussels ended 2-2.

Where will he end up Eden Hazard in action against Montenegro

Where will he end up Eden Hazard in action against Montenegro

Hazard heads to London next week for Belgium’s friendly with England in Roy Hodgson’s first home international and the highly rated player has said he will reveal where he will play next season.

Speaking before Friday’s game, Hazard said he will move to the club that guarantees him the most playing time and the position he will be played in.

Cool as you like: Hazard scores from the penalty spot - twice

Cool as you like: Hazard scores from the penalty spot – twice

He said: ‘I also had the most assists in the League, and I never believed I could possibly come up with such a fantastic set of statistics.

‘Certainly, I could not have made such a decisive contribution, had the coach at Lille not changed my position.

Hot property: Hazard will say which club he will join next month

Hot property: Hazard will say which club he will join next month

‘It is all down to that. I have always dreamed of playing the number 10 role, and wearing that number on my back, and you can see what a difference it makes from how many goals I have scored and set up for others. That will be a consideration when I decide on my club. Where I will play will influence my thinking on who I should join.’

Belgium vs Montenegro 2:2 GOALS HIGHLIGHTS by maidb7abc