Man Utd top of the 'woodwork table' | OneFootball

The Manchester derby last weekend gave fans plenty to chew over but it also saw Manchester United leap clear in what particular Premier League stat.

Michael Carrick's team struck the frame of the goal twice on Saturday, first a Harry Maguire header bouncing off the bar and then an Amad Diallo shot that Gigi Donnarumma touched onto the post.

Those were the 13th and 14th times United have hit the woodwork in the Premier League this season – five more than the closest 'unlucky' team, Newcastle United. It's also double the number their local rivals from the weekend managed, seven.

United's attacking stats saw a big improvement this season beginning under Ruben Amorim with the Red Devils behind only league leaders Arsenal according to the boffins over at WhoScored. The Gunners lead the way with 44.23xG ahead of United on 43.91xG with City not far behind on 43.88xG.

The Old Trafford are underperforming their xG by -7.91, something only Liverpool (-8.17) and Crystal Palace (a whopping -15.39) beat.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes is the one most rattling the woodwork for United this season accounting for four of those 14 efforts on the frame of the goal. That ties him at the top of the Premier League alongside Erling Haaland.

Those two are the only players in the top flight to hit the woodwork more than twice. Meanwhile 16 players have done it twice including two from United: summer arrivals Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.

Curiously, United youngster Shea Lacey has the fewest minutes-per-woodwork ratio, smashing the bar once in his 12 minutes of Premier League football.