MANCHESTER UNITED are proving a different beast in this season’s Europa League – and we have the stats to prove it.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in European competition despite a dismal Premier League campaign.
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Ruben Amorim‘s side have endured a season to forget domestically, sitting 16th in the table after losing 17 out of 36 games.
But their European form has seen them set up a surprise Europa League final showdown with Tottenham in Bilbao.
And there are plenty of reasons for United fans to be cheerful when diving down into the numbers.
Amorim is just the second United manager to reach a European final in his first season.
He follows his fellow countryman Jose Mourinho, who achieved the feat in 2017.
The Special One guided United to Europa League glory thanks to a 2-0 win over Ajax.
United go into next week’s showdown with Spurs as the only remaining unbeaten side in European competition.
Out of their 14 matches this season, they have won nine and drawn five.
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They are also the possession kings of the Europa League – and have even hit the most goals.
Amorim’s men may have been goal-shy in the Prem, mustering just 53 strikes in 36 games.
But they have smashed in 35 goals so far in Europe and have the highest passing accuracy of any team (86.1 per cent).
History is also on United’s side as they prepare for a ninth major European final.
The Red Devils have contested eight finals across the years, winning five and losing three.
They will hope captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes can continue to shine on the big stage.
Fernandes claimed last month United’s season wouldn’t “be saved” even if they won the cup.
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But if they are to triumph in Bilbao, it will largely be in part to his tireless efforts in the competition.
Fernandes is just one of three players to have scored seven goals or more in this year’s tournament.
He is tied for the Golden Boot race alongside Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Høgh and Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi.
Despite both having below-par seasons, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund are the only United players to feature in all 14 EL games.
The Dane has struggled in front of goal all year but has netted 6 goals in Europe – a huge improvement on his 4 in 30 in the Prem.
Garnacho has just one goal to his name in this year’s competition.
But he has 5 goal involvements in 14 as opposed to 8 in 35 domestically.
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