Man United midfielder in contention with two Chelsea youngsters, five others for PL2 Player of the Month – report | OneFootball

Manchester United U21 midfielder Sam Mather has been nominated for January’s Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.

The talented midfielder was in form for United as they recorded two consecutive victories last month, extending their winning run to four games.

Mather scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa. He bagged his first from a free-kick in the 24th minute and scored the winning goal from the penalty spot after 65 minutes.

The 20-year-old also scored the only goal as United beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at the Elite Football Performance Centre.

He faces an uphill task of winning the award due to the performances of the other nominees.

Southampton forward Dom Ballard registered six goal contributions, while Chelsea’s Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Fulham’s Aaron Loupalo-Bi recorded five goal involvements.

Derby County’s Harry Evans is the only goalkeeper nominated. He did not concede a goal last month.

The other nominees are Southampton’s Cameron Bragg and Lewis Payne and Chelsea forward Donnell McNeilly.

Mather will hope to become the first United player to win it this season.

Man United cannot rely on the English midfielder’s services for the remainder of the season. He joined League Two club Tranmere Rovers on loan on transfer deadline day.

Mather’s departure is a huge blow for United, who are seeking to finish the season strongly after struggling early in the campaign.

Despite winning the last four games, they are seven points behind league leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

They return to league action on Friday when they face Tottenham Hotspur at Leigh Sports Village.

Stats from transfermarkt.com.

Article written by Henry Thornton .