Manchester United men in midfield – the Premier League Team of the Weekend

Ander Herrera and Jesse Lingard make up a Manchester United midfield core in our latest Premier League Team of the Weekend after getting on the scoresheet in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's convincing first victory as caretaker coach.

Attacking stars from Arsenal and Tottenham unite further up the field, while Fulham's newfound defensive aptitude has also been rewarded. 

Read on to discover who else made the Opta-powered XI.

GOALKEEPER - BEN FOSTER (WATFORD)

Watford impressively snapped West Ham's four-match winning streak on Saturday, although it did need some help from its veteran goalkeeper.

Ben Foster's seven saves were the most of any keeper over the weekend and earned him a clean sheet in the 2-0 triumph at the London Stadium.

RIGHT-BACK - RICARDO PEREIRA (LEICESTER CITY)

Ricardo Pereira was the standout player in a dogged rearguard which provided the platform for Leicester City's surprise 1-0 win at Chelsea.

The Portugal international set a strong example for his team-mates, leading the Foxes for both tackles (six) and clearances (11) against an attack comprised of Pedro, Willian and Eden Hazard.

CENTRE-BACK - ALFIE MAWSON (FULHAM)

Fulham was a team transformed at St James' Park as they shut out Newcastle United to record a first clean sheet since winning promotion.

While the 0-0 draw represents only a small boost to its survival hopes, Claudio Ranieri will take particular encouragement from Alfie Mawson's level of leadership in his 10th league start for the club.

The centre-back soldiered on even after being on the receiving end of a stray punch from team-mate Sergio Rico.

CENTRE-BACK - DENIS ODOI (FULHAM)

It is a Cottagers double act at the back and a Team of the Weekend pairing that has seemed a remote possibility for much of this term.

Denis Odoi certainly earned his selection by making a team-high seven clearances on the right side of Fulham's three-man defence.

LEFT-BACK - MARCOS ALONSO (CHELSEA)

Marcos Alonso's enterprising performance was one of few positives Chelsea took from its frustrating loss to Leicester.

Left-back Alonso, with two chances created and 69 touches, offered the attacking verve Maurizio Sarri sorely lacked in other areas of the pitch.

RIGHT MIDFIELD - ANDROS TOWNSEND (CRYSTAL PALACE)

Andros Townsend's astonishing volley against Manchester City is reason enough alone to warrant his inclusion in this weekend's XI.

Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

The context of the stunning strike helped his case, too; Townsend's 10th Premier League goal from outside the box gave Crystal Palace a lead it never surrendered at the Etihad Stadium.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD - ANDER HERRERA (MANCHESTER UNITED)

While industrious as ever, it was Ander Herrera's goal at Cardiff that perhaps best captured the sense of freedom Manchester United already appear to be enjoying under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Spanish midfielder's deflected strike was an audacious attempt for a player more commonly content to play a sacrificial role.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD - JESSE LINGARD (MANCHESTER UNITED)

Jesse Lingard might just have rediscovered the spark which led Gareth Southgate to hand him an important role at the World Cup.

Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard   -  Getty Images

The United midfielder grabbed two goals at Cardiff City Stadium as he both scored and assisted in a Premier League match for the second time in his career.

LEFT MIDFIELD - DAVID BROOKS (BOURNEMOUTH)

Eddie Howe has taken a cautious approach with David Brooks at different stages this season, but the young winger's talent is obvious.

He scored both goals in Bournemouth's 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion, boosting his haul to five in 15 top-flight starts.

STRIKER - PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (ARSENAL)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was quick to claim leadership of the Golden Boot race back from Mohamed Salah when Arsenal met Burnley on Saturday.

The striker scored twice in a 3-1 win at Emirates Stadium, where he now boasts 14 goals and five assists in just 17 league appearances.

STRIKER - SON-HEUNG MIN (TOTTENHAM)

Son Heung-min's scintillating form makes his impending departure to the Asian Cup all the more troubling for Tottenham.

Heung-min Son scored two and assisted a goal in Spurs' 6-2 demolition of Everton. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

The South Korea star was at his very best in the 6-2 hammering of Everton on Sunday, scoring either side of half-time and teeing up Harry Kane's second to help Spurs make a statement of intent.