Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny (Barcelona)
Rare for a goalkeeper on the losing side to make the cut, but Szczęsny kept Barcelona in El Clásico with a string of impressive saves. The penalty save from Kylian Mbappé kept Madrid within one goal, but Barcelona were unable to capitalize.
Joan García is expected back from injury soon, but the veteran Pole has been an able deputy in his and Marc-André ter Stegen’s absence.
Defence: Achraf Hakimi (PSG)
Two goals for the Moroccan helped PSG return to the top of the table.
Booked early on and visibly frustrated at not being awarded a penalty for an alleged handball, Hakimi composed himself to deliver an impressive brace.
Defence: Éder Militão (Real Madrid)
Not even back-to-back ACL injuries can slow Militão down.
The Brazilian was imperious at the back against Barcelona, as well as providing the assist for Bellingham’s winner with an impressive leap and tidy header.
Booked late on during the scrap that followed Pedri’s red card.
Defence: Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal)
There were doubts pre-game surrounding Gabriel’s involvement in the game against Palace having limped off against Atlético.
Once his name was seen on the teamsheet, there were no doubts about what was in store as Arsenal went on to record yet another clean sheet.
Although rarely troubled defensively, Gabriel impressed with the ball at his feet, completing 82 passes.
Defence: Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur)
Two first-half goals from van de Ven saw Tottenham extend their unbeaten away record to five games.
The Dutchman was deputising as captain in Cristian Romero’s absence, and certainly delivered a performance worthy of the armband. His two headers – both from corners – set Spurs on the way to the three points that saw them move into third.
Midfield: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
A performance to silence the critics.
Deployed on the right as a wide No.10, Bellingham excelled at both ends. His incisive ball found Mbappé for the opener, before his world-class positioning gave him an easy tap-in to score the winner.
Much has been said about how he fits in Alonso’s system, but performances like this show he is still the man for the big occasion.
Midfield: Casemiro (Manchester United)
A goal and assist for a midfielder primarily tasked with defensive duties. Casemiro’s goal might have taken a wicked deflection off Yasin Ayari, but his attacking intent rounded off an impressive box-to-box performance from the Brazilian.
His growing chemistry with Bruno Fernandes in Amorim’s midfield pairing is the catalyst behind United’s improved recent form.
Midfield: André-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)
Napoli’s number 99 impressed in a midfield that lost Kevin de Bruyne early through injury.
Anguissa won seven duels and two tackles as Napoli held-off Inter’s growing presence in the game, before his solo driving run from midfield and impressive finish secured the points.
Forward: Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United)
Mbeumo’s best performance in a United shirt to date with two decisive goals.
The partnership between new signings Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha has revolutionised the United attack, not only adding goals but a fluidity and creativity into a previously stale front line.
€75m looks like a bargain.
Forward: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
Missed a penalty but still deserving of a space among the team of the week.
The Frenchman thought he had opened the scoring with an impressive half-volley from outside the box, but was ruled offside. It didn’t take long before Mbappé had the ball in the back of the net again, this time he’d timed his run perfectly through the Barcelona defence.
Forward: Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
Vinícius Jr’s return to form continues.
Despite not contributing a goal or assist, the Brazilian was at his electric best and was unlucky not to win a penalty in the first half. Vinícius Júnior completed five of his six dribbles, driving at the Barcelona defence and creating pockets of space for Mbappé to operate in.
Alonso is getting the best out of the pair.
