Manchester United target among top U21 performer in Europe’s top five leagues

We run through the best WhoScored rated U21 XI from Europe’s top five leagues across the weekend’s action

Goalkeeper: Paul Bernardoni (Nimes) – 7.35 rating

Paul Bernardoni retains his place in the U21 XI after helping Nimes keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win away to Strasbourg at the weekend. The 21-year-old made four saves and successfully claimed one cross as Nimes moved on the cusp of a position in the top-half of the table.

Left-back: Benjamin Henrichs (Monaco) – 7.16 rating

Monaco ended a run of 16 matches without a win in all competitions with a narrow 1-0 win away to Caen on Saturday, helping ease the pressure on Thierry Henry. Benjamin Henrichs won four tackles and interceptions combined (4) and made five clearances to help Monaco keep a clean sheet. The 21-year-old also won five fouls to alleviate any pressure on his team. 

Centre-back: Peru Nolaskoain (Athletic Club) – 7.51 rating

Athletic Club and Getafe played out a poor 1-1 draw on Sunday but would have been disappointed to let their 1-0 lead slip at home. Peru Nolaskoain came off the bench in the second half and put the Basque side ahead with a header from a set-piece, six minutes after coming off the bench.

Centre-back: Malang Sarr (Nice) – 7.55 rating

Nice have now kept three clean sheets in a row after defeating Lille 2-0 at home at the weekend. Malang Sarr completed five tackles and interceptions combined, won three aerial duels and made four clearances. Nice have hit a purple-patch of form and are now only three points off the top four.

Right-back: Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina) – 8.05 rating

Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for versatile Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic and the 21-year-old caught the eye once again, despite the fact the Viola were held 0-0 away to Bologna on Sunday. Milenkovic completed four dribbles and had two shots while attacking and completed three tackles and interceptions combined to help Fiorentina keep a clean sheet.

Centre midfield: Amine Harit (Schalke) – 7.95 rating

Schalke’s renaissance continued at the weekend with a 5-2 victory over newly promoted Nuernberg. Amine Harit scored his first league goal of the campaign in the rout, while also creating two goalscoring opportunities for teammates and completing three dribbles. The 21-year-old also drew four fouls during a thoroughly impressive performance.

Centre midfield: Maxime Lopez (Marseille) – 8.20 rating

Maxime Lopez had not garnered a WhoScored rating above 7 in eight previous league matches prior to Marseille’s outing on Sunday but turned in his best performance of the campaign in a 3-1 win away to Amiens. The 20-year-old provided his first assist of the season and impressively won eight tackles and interceptions combined, having only managed nine in total this season prior to the weekend. 

Centre midfield: Aleix Garcia (Girona) – 8.21 rating

On-loan Manchester City midfielder enjoyed his best performance of the season in Girona’s shock 3-1 win away to Espanyol, earning the WhoScored Man of the Match award in the process. The Spaniard made as many interceptions (5) as his previous 10 league appearances combined this season. Not only that, but Garcia registered three key passes and won two free-kicks.

Forward: Allan Saint-Maximin (Nice) – 8.90 rating

Allan Saint-Maximin is the second Nice player in the U21 Team of the Week after ending a eight-game run without a goal to help his side overcome Lille. The 21-year-old registered three key passes, won four fouls and completed seven dribbles in his best performance of the campaign.

Forward: Dodi Lukebakio (Fortuna Duesseldorf) – 9.36 rating

Unknown on-loan Watford striker stunned German champions Bayern Munich at the weekend by netting a hat-trick in a shock 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena. In doing so, Lukebakio has scored more goals than the rest of his team-mates away from home in the Bundesliga this season (2). The 21-year-old hit the target with all of his four shots against Bayern.

Forward: Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) – 7.97 rating

Ryan Sessegnon has endured a difficult maiden campaign in the Premier League but was crucial in Fulham’s important victory over Southampton on Saturday, providing two assists in a 3-2 victory. Sessegnon set up Aleksandar Mitrovic for his second, which turned out to be the winner. The 18-year-old will now hope to have turned a page under new manager Claudio Ranieri.