Blind and Herrera v Vidal: Revealing who’s had the best start

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Comparing the Manchester United duo with the Juventus star.

Prior to the current season, Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

The Chilean international is one of the best all-round midfielders in the game and that was exactly what United needed – a player to lead from the middle, equally adept at helping out in defence or bursting forward and scoring goals.

Vidal was that man, but United did not bring him to Old Trafford despite the numerous rumours. Instead they signed Ander Herrera and Daley Blind – players who between them have many of Vidal’s qualities – but how do the duo compare with the Juventus man so far this season?

Herrera has scored two goals for United, the same amount that Vidal has managed for Juventus, and while Blind has failed to find the net his role is to protect rather than make the headlines.

Vidal has outshone both the United players in terms of key passes per match, but he only outperforms Herrera by point-two-five percent.

One of the most telling stats is the three players’ passing accuracy, with Herrera and Blind both managing 89 per cent while Vidal’s is only 83.9 per cent. The Chilean does however average far more shots on goal than either of Louis van Gaal’s midfield signings.

Vidal falls short when it comes to interceptions per match, with Blind making almost three-times as many as the Juve star, while both United men better him in terms of tackles per game and – considerably – in terms of clearances.

Vidal is of course still seeking to get back to his absolute best following a serious injury last season but, as things stand, between them United’s new midfield duo are not embarrassing themselves when compared with one of the best in the business.