Man Utd stats

Sky Sports picks out some key stats for Manchester United fans to consider ahead of the new season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's final season as Manchester United boss could only finish one way. A comfortable title win, regaining their crown after the last minute agony of the season before. It seems strange to say about a team who cruised to the title, but for long spells of the 2012-13 campaign United didn't look all that impressive. We are often told that the sign of a really top side is to win when you aren't playing well; Ferguson's side did that and were deservedly crowned champions for a record 20th time. There will certainly be things that the new man in the hot-seat, David Moyes, will want to address as he takes on the unenviable task of replacing his fellow Scot. One area that Manchester United fans have been crying out for improvement in for a number of years is the centre of midfield. Michael Carrick was widely praised last season as he patrolled in front of the back four for the Old Trafford outfit and kept things ticking over in the middle of the park as United looked to build attacks. The England playmaker was able to show off his range of passing as he got his side on the front foot by playing more passes into the final third of the pitch than any other player in the league during 2012-13.

Passing - PL 2012/13
Player	Passes into final third	Player	Passing acc. final third (min 1000 passes)
Michael Carrick	487	Mousa Dembele	87.02%
Steven Gerrard	480	Samir Nasri	86.86%
Bradley Johnson	432	Mikel Arteta	85.86%
Asmir Begovic	431	Shaun Maloney	85.13%
Mikel Arteta	417	Tom Cleverley	84.10%

He was often paired with another England man, Tom Cleverley, and the youngster proved himself capable of performing for a top Premier League side and his ability to find a teammate in the final third has been particularly impressive. Whilst the duo have done well, Carrick in particular, it is no secret that Moyes is looking for a new midfield man. A player who can provide a goal threat and regular assists from midfield could help take United to another level and having missed out on Thiago to Bayern Munich, the Red Devils will be keen to move quickly to find an alternative with both Cesc Fabregas and Marouane Fellaini reported targets.

Goals (open play) - PL 2012/13
Team	Goals (open play)
Man Utd	52
Liverpool	50
Tottenham	46

However, whether they lacked the necessary creativity last season or not, the champions scored more goals than any other side in the league and importantly, more from open play than any other Premier League team. That was largely due to the exploits of front man Robin van Persie. The Dutchman arrived from Arsenal and lived up to expectation by claiming the Premier League golden boot. The striker is cpable of scoring various types of goals but it was his ability to sniff out a chance in the box that most helped Ferguson's United. He netted more goals from inside the penalty area than any other player during the 2012-13 campaign and will hope to continue that sort of form under his new manager this time around.

Goals (inside box) - PL 2012/13
Player	Team	Goals inside box
Robin van Persie	Man Utd	23
Luis Suarez	Liverpool	18
Michu	Swansea	17