FOOTBALL NERD

Only Trent Alexanderarnold and Kevin De Bruyne have created more “big chances” in the Premier League this season than Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who has strong claims to be the most complete centreforward in the division.

Jimenez remains a threat in his own right with 11 league goals, but his inventive and considered combination play is something Manchester United need to control when the teams meet at Old Trafford today.

The demise of the

poacher has been a theme for several seasons, with coaches prizing multifunctional forwards who can press from the front, stitch play together and run the channels when necessary.

Sergio Aguero, long established as a penaltybox predator, had to add layers to his game under Pep Guardiola.

No player looks more comfortable with the “complete forward” role than Jimenez, who has the physical frame of a traditional striker, but does a whole lot else.

Opta’s expected assists metric measures the quality of chances created by a player, and Jimenez’s season xa total of 4.4 is the fourth best in the Premier League in a field dominated by tricky, jinking wingers.

Jimenez’s xa tally is higher than Wilfried Zaha and Mohamed Salah, and not far behind Riyad Mahrez, team-mate Adama Traore and Raheem Sterling.

According to this metric, Jimenez is the most creative No9 in the top flight. With some of his rivals suffering injuries at various points of the season, using xa per 90 minutes played offers the fairest comparison.

Aguero is closest to Jimenez with 0.18 xa per 90. Even Roberto Firmino lags well behind Jimenez on 0.11. Harry Kane, Alexandre Lacazette and Tammy Abraham all languish on less than 0.1 xa per 90.

How Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would love such a polished fulcrum in his attack.