Red Devils are red hot as United dominate Championship Manager's Team of the Week

By Sportsmail Reporter Updated: 13:00 EST, 12 January 2009

View
comments

Manchester United were rewarded for their thumping win over Chelsea with four players in Team of the Week while former Red Devil Steve Bruce was the best boss after steering in-form Wigan to a victory over Tottenham.

Each week Sportsmail, in partnership with the boffins at the ultimate football management game - Championship Manager - will unveil the best XI from each round of top-flight matches.

Check out the brand new Championship Manager website, by logging on to: www.championshipmanager.co.uk

GK – Shay Given (Newcastle) The want-away keeper outlined why Newcastle are desperate to hold on to him with yet another fine performance, including two great saves from Mark Noble and Jack Collison.

RB – Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) Solid game for the Arsenal right back in their 1-0 win over Bolton. Sagna made a couple of timely clearances and had an impressive 94.7 per cent accurate pass completion rate.

Scroll down for more

Head boy: Vidic celebrates after nodding home United's opener

CB – Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) Just seconds after the disallowed cheeky corner goal, Vidic headed in the retaken corner to put United 1-0 up. Another solid game for the champions is backed up with a 90.9 per cent accurate pass completion rate and four successful clearances for the Serbian centre back.

CB – Curtis Davies (Aston Villa) Scored the opening goal against his former club with a clever header as Villa beat West Brom 2-1. He was a rock at the heart of the Villa defence and had a 100 per cent tackle success rate, making five clearances as the Baggies piled on the pressure in the second half.

LB – Maynor Figueroa (Wigan) Headed in Ryan Taylor's corner in stoppage time to give Wigan a deserved 1-0 victory over Spurs. This was the Honduran's first goal for the club, having turned his loan spell into a permanent one in December 2008.

Scroll down for more

Rooney and Giggs

Bellamy

RM – Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) Came into his own in the second half and gave Jose Boswinga and Juliano Belletti a torrid time. Lovely one-two with Patrice Evra to set up the second goal and his free-kick was prodded in by Dimitar Berbatov to complete the 3-0 win over Chelsea.

CM – Mikel Arteta (Everton) A sensational 30-yard free-kick in the 2-0 win over Hull helped consolidate Everton's sixth place in the table. His fifth league goal of the season came as Everton made it 13 points from their last five games – great form as they prepare for the double-header against Liverpool.

CM – Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) Chosen ahead of Michael Carrick, the 35-year-old repaid his manager's faith with a demanding display as he bossed the midfield.

LM – Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough) Despite handing in a transfer request, Downing proved he's going to give his all to the Boro cause with a fine performance in the draw with Sunderland. His excellent 94.6 per cent pass completion rate showed when he slipped in Afonso Alves on the stroke of half-time to put Middlesbrough 1-0 up.

Scroll down for more

Pick it out: Arteta (left) scores a free-kick in Everton's win over Hull

ST – Craig Bellamy (West Ham) Yet another player to score against a former club this weekend. His equalising goal against Newcastle was sublime, though credit should also go to Scott Parker for his role. Bellamy worked tirelessly and was a constant threat to the Newcastle defence.

ST – Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) Used a combination of passion, aggression and skill to great effect as he put in a wonderful performance. Scored United's second as they thumped Chelsea and linked up well with his team-mates with a 93.2 per cent pass completion rate.

Manager – Steve Bruce (Wigan) Just one defeat in their last nine league games and four Premier League wins on the bounce has lifted Wigan to seventh, just off the European places - and all on a limited budget.