Three Man Utd stars named in World Cup team of the tournament, one Liverpool player also included

Three Manchester United players have been named in a World Cup team of the tournament, while one Liverpool player has also made the cut.

The Qatar World Cup came to a close on Sunday night with one of the most thrilling finals in the tournament's history.

France, inspired by the mesmeric Kylian Mbappe, came back from two goals down against Argentina to take the contest to extra time. During an extra half hour of action, La Albiceleste bundled in a third goal through seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, only for Mbappe to equalise again from the spot and complete his hat-trick.

Lionel Scaloni’s side finally put France to the sword, winning 4-2 on penalties to claim their first World Cup since 1986.

Stat company Sofascore have now released their team of the tournament, based on players’ average match ratings throughout their time in Qatar. While there are some obvious picks - with Messi leading the line and Mbappe occupying the left flank - there are also a few surprises.

Just for clarification - a player had to reach at least the quarterfinal stage to be included.

World Cup team of the tournament

Three United players have made Sofascore’s team of the tournament.

Portugal and Old Trafford star Bruno Fernandes has not only been in the XI, but he also received the highest rating of any player (8.38).

That’s an even higher rating than Messi (8.27) despite the Argentina star having become the first player in history to net in the group stage, round-of-16, quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Fernandes’ four excellent displays in Qatar saw the United midfielder score twice and claim three assists, only for Portugal to be eliminated in the quarter-final by the tournament’s surprise package Morocco.

Elsewhere, United’s Casemiro was named by Sofascore as the midfield anchor following his displays in Brazil. The five-time Champions League winner received a 7.50 rating across the tournament despite Brazil being eliminated by Croatia in the quarter-final.

The much-derided United captain, Harry Maguire also made the tournament XI, receiving a 7.34 rating for his displays at the heart of England’s defence.

Before the tournament, Maguire was cited by pundits as the weak link in Gareth Southgate’s England side, though the centre-back went on to play a central part in one of the most stubborn defences in Qatar.

His centre-back partner is Liverpool’s World Cup finalist Ibrahima Konaté who played five games for Les Bleus as Didier Deschamps’ side reached the final of the tournament. The towering centre-back received a 7.32 rating from Sofascore.

The XI in full is: Livaković, Blind, Maguire, Konaté, Juranović, Casemiro, Griezmann, Gakpo, Fernandes, Mbappe, Messi

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Harry Maguire, Ibrahima Konate, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Bruno Fernandes, Football World Cup, Manchester United, Liverpool

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.