Ryan Manning surprisingly ranks among Championship’s top chance creators | OneFootball

Ryan Manning has become an unexpected creative force for Southampton after relegation, reshaping his left back role during their Championship push. He now ranks among the division’s leading chance makers.

According to Sporting Life, he is fifth in the Championship for chances created in their top 10 list, alongside Hayden Hackney and Sorba Thomas, who have 15 assists between them.

Flynn Downes, who started Saints’ final Premier League game, has also driven the revival, scoring at Coventry City to seal a shock win at the league leaders. Taylor Harwood-Bellis has been a defensive mainstay, with Tonda Eckert praising his professionalism.

Manning, the Galway-born defender, struggled last season, with two clean sheets and one assist from 24 league appearances. He stayed and has become integral to Eckert’s side.

He is about to join the Republic of Ireland squad with team-mate Finn Azaz. This season he is averaging 3.7 duels won and has helped Southampton keep three clean sheets in their last five outings.

Most striking is his end product, six goals and four assists, which underpin his climb into that creative elite. With the play-offs hopefully secured, many might look to Azaz with 10 goals, yet Manning is the under-the-radar threat to watch.

Source: Sainstmarching.com