Premier League Team of the Week III feat. Manchester United and Chelsea stars

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Right-Forward: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Despite only appearing for 19 minutes of Manchester United’s win over Hull City, his impact in that time was enough to warrant a place in our Team of the Week. From his introduction, he breathed further life into United’s attack that had been pounding away at Hull City’s defensive line to no avail, but the 18-year-old’s running of the channels helped stretch the Tigers’ defence to breaking point. Rashford exhibited showed invention and a willingness to take the game to the opposition, breezing beyond players with ease and showing flashes of his ability with a superb dribble inside and a fizzing effort at goal that Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic tipped behind his left-hand post at full-stretch.

He had four efforts on goal in the 19 minutes he was on the pitch, and his impact was capped off by a superb goal, after a menacing run in-between Hull’s central defenders to be in the right place at the right time to meet Wayne Rooney’s cross and steer the ball beyond Jakupovic to send the travelling United supporters into raptures.

It was his first Premier League appearance under José Mourinho after the impact he had on united under Louis Van Gaal last term, and on this showing if he continues to persist, he may well force himself firmly into the Special One’s plans, which would be a first – after Rashford became the first ever teenager to score for one of Mourinho’s clubs.

If he could force even Mourinho to re-think his policy on younger players, it would prove even greater testament to his future as one of Manchester United and England’s brightest young prospects.

Centre-Forward: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

The former Udinese and Barcelona man was instrumental for the Gunners as they finally got off the mark with their first win of the season at Vicarage Road. Despite lacking obvious firepower in their opening two games, the Gunners were full of power and penetration against Watford with the Chilean at the heart of the action. He netted Arsenal’s second goal as they went into the half-time interval three goals to the good, with an assist to his name after laying the ball on for Mesut Ozil to finish, alongside a pass accuracy of 92%.

Sanchez has now scored against Watford on all three occasions he has faced the Hornets, whilst also assisting further goals in every encounter. Manager Arsene Wenger will be hoping this is a corner turned for his Arsenal side, and on this showing Alexis Sanchez is set to be at the forefront of any success Arsenal have once again.

Left-Midfield: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Two seasons ago, Hazard was the star-man in the Premier League as his 14 goals and nine assists propelled Chelsea to the Premier League title under José Mourinho. Last campaign, he looked bereft of confidence and a mere shell of the man he was the season prior, and didn’t register a Premier League goal until April. Under Conte however, the Belgian international seems to have re-ignited his form, and he put in a sensational performance against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge, cutting inside and firing across Tom Heaton’s despairing dive – his second goal in four games.

The Clarets were simply unable to shackle the former Lille man, whose trickery and skill on the flank bamboozled the Burnley defence and gave right-back Matt Lowton- a star in Burnley’s win over Liverpool last week- a full workout.

If Antonio Conte’s Chelsea are to challenge for the Premier League title this season, then much of it will be owed to the Belgian’s flair and creativity and they will need Hazard to be performing at his peak consistently once again if they are to be in the reckoning. Based on his early form under Antonio Conte, with emphasis on remaining out wide to stretch the defence and venturing inside to create opportunities on goal, it appears he may be well on the way to being back to his best, and this man of the match-winning performance may just be the tip of the iceberg.