Manuel Neuer, Paul Pogba and Dries Mertens all make Europe’s best XI for the 2016-17 season, based on the stats

PAUL POGBA has endured an indifferent first season back at Manchester United following his £89million move from Juventus last summer.

But despite failing to set the world alight, he’s made it into Europe’s best XI for 2016-17, based on statistics.

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French midfielder Pogba can boast a rating of 89 from the CIES Football Observatory, to join Thiago Alcantara (90) and Naby Keita (88.5) in the 4-3-3 formation.

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In goal, German stopper Manuel Neuer is the top-rated No1 boasting an 89 rating, ahead of Sergio Asenjo (84.5) and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris (84).

Bruno Peres is the best right-back with a rating of 84, with Alex Sandro edging out Marcelo Vieira, David Alaba and Liverpool’s James Milner for the left-back spot.

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Bayern Munich duo Mats Hummels (87) and Javi Martinez (86.5) nail down the top starting spots at centre-back - narrowly ahead of Thiago Silva (86) and Man City's Nicolas Otamendi (84.5).

According to the data, this season's top striker in Europe is Napoli's Dries Mertens, with a rating of 91.

The Belgian edged out Roma's Edin Dzeko (90.5), City's Sergio Aguero (89.5), Edinson Cavani and Robert Lewandowski (both 89).

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On the wing, who else but Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Barcelona's Argentine star takes home the highest rating of the whole team on 93.5, with Ronaldo back on 90.

So there you have it, just one Premier League player makes it into the best XI of Europe's 'Big Five' leagues for 2016-17.

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