Stats: Manchester United stars commit most fouls at the World Cup

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Marouane Fellaini and Robin van Persie have been the most ill-disciplined players in Brazil.

The Manchester United duo have tallied a staggering 37 fouls between them this World Cup, more than any other player at the tournament.

Fellaini made five appearances for Belgium before Marc Wilmots’s side were knocked out by Argentina at the quarter-final stage.

Van Persie, meanwhile, played six times for the Netherlands as they claimed a bronze medal after beating Brazil in the third-place play-off. They had originally lost to the same opposition that knocked Belgium out, in the last four.

As Opta stats show, no one made more fouls than Fellaini, who commited 19, with Dutchman Van Persie making just one less.

In terms of fouls per appearance, however, Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad was by far the most prolific offender, averaging more than five fouls a game.

Brazil’s Luiz Gustavo, Costa Rica’s Christian Bolanos and Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri also made the list, while there was further Premier League participation from Manchester City’s Fernandinho and the Championship was represented by Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz.

There is, of course, one match remaining in Brazil, as Germany and Argentina contest the World Cup final for the ultimate prize in football. However, Thomas Muller, who has been penalised the highest number of times from either side on 11, would have to commit eight fouls just to draw level with Fellaini.

It looks like Man United can add another award to their prestigious collection, then, although it is not one most fans would have expected.