Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Antonio Valencia and Eric Bailly have all been named in Garth Crooks’ BBC ‘Team of the Week’ following Manchester United’s emphatic 4-0 win over Swansea City in the Premier League.
The Frenchman, along with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, led a rampant onslaught as Swansea – a goal down after Bailly turned home Pogba’s rebounded header just before half time – began to tire with ten minutes remaining, with the £89m man producing a sublime chipped finish from the Armenian’s pass before providing an assist for Anthony Martial. Mkhitaryan, on the other hand, was an effervescent presence throughout, controlling the ball with care and always picking out teammates. He now has four assists in just two Premier League games after managing just one last season.
Further back, Valencia produced a characteristically imposing, disciplined performance at right back, surging forward with vigour and stopping Jordan Ayew from having an influence down Swansea’s left. He merits a place in Crooks’ ‘Team of the Week’ every week, really. Bailly, on the other hand, was a brutally physical presence alongside Phil Jones – who equally merits a place in this XI – and bullied Tammy Abraham out of the game, reducing the former Chelsea man to just one clear-cut chance in front of goal.
The quartet, alongside former red Javier Hernandez (who claimed a brace against Southampton), have all been awarded with a place in a United-heavy ‘Team of the Week’.
