Manchester United teen makes Europa League best XI

The Europa League group stages drew to a close on Thursday night with Manchester United and Arsenal both making it into the knockout stages of the competition and the duo are represented in our best XI of the group stages...

Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster (Celtic) - 7.17 rating 

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The first of two Celtic players to kick off the best XI from the group stages of the Europa League, Fraser Forster was impressive between the sticks for the Scottish powerhouse as he conceded just four goals from his five appearances. 19 saves was a commendable return from the towering shotstopper, who yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.17. 

Right-back: Silvan Widmer (FC Basel 1893) - 7.44 rating 

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Silvan Widmer pushed forward with aplomb when afforded the opportunity to do so having had a direct hand in three of the 12 goals FC Basel 1893 scored in the group stages. The right-back scored twice from six shots and provided one assist from his six key passes. Defensively sound, too, Widmer made 11 tackles and six interceptions with FC Basel boasting one of the best defences in the group stages, conceding just four goals, as the 26-year-old gained a WhoScored rating of 7.44. 

Centre-back: Gernot Trauner (LASK) - 7.72 rating 

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LASK have two representatives in the best XI, with Gernot Trauner kicking things off for the Austrian outfit. He saved his best performance until last, earning the WhoScored man of the match award in their 3-0 win over Sporting CP on Thursday night, while the centre-back was a consistent figure at the heart of the backline with his WhoScored rating falling below a 7.65 just the once in his five Europa League outings. The 27-year-old was dominant in the air, winning more aerial duels (42) than any other player, and that contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.72. 

Centre-back: Philipp Wiesinger (LASK) - 7.38 rating 

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Defensive partners for their club, Philipp Wiesinger partners Trauner at the back in this side. The 25-year-old made more tackles and interceptions combined (50) than any other player in the group stages of the Europa League as he, like, Trauner, turned out his best rated performance in LASK's 3-0 win over Sporting. It contributed to an average WhoScored rating of 7.38. 

Left-back: Sergio Escudero (Sevilla) - 7.39 rating 

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Rounding off the defence is Sevilla's Sergio Escudero. The Spanish left-back was good value for his WhoScored rating of 7.39 as he averaged 1.5 key passes per game, that helping him to one assist. The 30-year-old put in a number of solid shifts off the ball as returns of three tackles and one interception per game reinforced a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'defensive contribution'. 

Right midfield: Munir El Haddadi (Sevilla) - 8.30 rating 

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Rounding off the Sevilla contingent is Munir El Haddadi. The Spaniard has struggled for regular game time in LaLiga this season, but gave head coach Julen Lopetegui a timely reminder of his quality with a WhoScored rating of 8.30 in the group stages. El Haddadi had a direct hand in six of the 14 European goals Sevilla netted, scoring five, while averages of 2.2 key passes and 2.2 successful dribbles ranked highly. 

Central midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP) - 8.40 rating 

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Pipping El Haddadi to the player of the group stage gong is Sporting CP sensation Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder returned an excellent WhoScored rating of 8.40 from his five Europa League appearances as he scored five and assisted three of Sporting's 11 goals. Fernandes' five goals came from 24 shots, more than any other player, while his four WhoScored man of the match awards was also the most in the group stages of the Europa League as the Sporting CP sensation more than deserved his player of the group stage award. 

Central midfield: Ryan Christie (Celtic) - 7.67 rating 

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The second Celtic player to feature in his side, Ryan Christie netted key goals in the group stages of the Europa League in a 1-1 draw at Rennes and a 2-1 home win over Lazio. His three goals came from 11 shots, returning a commendable 27.3% conversion rate, while the Scot worked tirelessly off the ball as he averaged 2.6 tackles per game. A driving force from midfield, averaging 1.2 dribbles per game, and boasting the eye for a defence splitting pass as his 2.2 key passes per game suggests, Christie landed a WhoScored rating of 7.67.

Left midfield: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 8.08 rating

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The sole Arsenal representative in this XI. In what was a fairly disappointing group stage campaign, Bukayo Saka was a bright spark for the Gunners. The teenager impressed across his four outings, scoring two and assisting four of Arsenal's 14 goals to help return a WhoScored rating of 8.08. An average of three key passes per game was the third best in the group stages of the competition, while 2.5 dribbles per game was the 22nd best.

Striker: Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) - 7.77 rating

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The only Rangers player to make this XI also scored more goals (6) than any other player in the group stages of the Europa League. Rangers netted just eight goals from their six matches as they secured their place in the next round of the competition, with Morelos also providing one assist. The 23-year-old's stock soared as he failed to have a direct hand in a goal in just one of his six Europa League appearances to return a WhoScored rating of 7.77.

Striker: Mason Greenwood (Manchester United) - 7.68 rating

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Completing the best XI from the group stages is Manchester United teenage sensation Mason Greenwood. Our Europa League player of the week, the young United forward showcased his potential with aplomb, netting four times and registering one assist from his five outings. 2.8 shots, 1.6 key passes and one successful dribble per game was a fine return for Greenwood, who rounds off this side with a WhoScored rating of 7.68.