Supercomputer creates best XI of players outside Premier League top six and shows Man Utd missed out on top transfer
A SUPERCOMPUTER'S best eleven of players outside the top six shows Manchester United should have signed Kieran Trippier.
The right-back, 31, has made a stellar start at Newcastle since signing in January and has even scored two free-kicks.
And , which uses data from FBRef, shows the England star has been performing well all season.
In fact, stats show he has been the highest performing outfield player outside the Premier League 'Big Six' this season - even better than London Football Awards winner Declan Rice.
The West Ham star was named Premier League player of the year by the LFA, and like Trippier he has been linked with a move to United.
Trippier was a long-term target of the Red Devils but the club decided against signing him in January, despite Ralf Rangnick seemingly being unable to decide who he should play at right-back - Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot.
Rice would also solve a big problem at United with midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay often criticised this season.
Paul Pogba could depart in the summer and Rice would be a good replacement according to the supercomputer, which judges the England star to be outperforming other Prem midfielders this season.
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Using data the supercomputer calculates a 'Z score' for each player based on offensive and defensive contributions.
The algorithm then finds players with the most optimised output per 90-minutes - and a high score indicates that player is outperforming his rivals.
Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa has the top score of 1.91, with Trippier's 1.03 and Crystal Palace star Michael Olise at 1.01.
The Eagles midfielder has adjusted well to the Premier League since arriving from Reading last summer and has even been linked to the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
Palace team-mate Wilfried Zaha has also proved he could be a useful signing for a Big Six side with his performances this season - he has been the best left-winger of the other 14 Prem clubs.
Chelsea and West Ham-linked Leeds star Raphinha also makes the XI, as does Red Devils target Ruben Neves.
Arthur Masuaku is perhaps a surprise inclusion at left-back considering he is not first-choice at West Ham, while the same can be said of Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho who is the only striker included.
The centre-back pairing is Southampton's Mohammed Salisu and Brighton's Adam Webster, both of whom have impressed this season.
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