Opta confirm United player is fastest in Premier League

Manchester United Academy graduate Timothy Fosu-Mensah has been identified as the Premier League’s fastest player across the 2018/19 season, according to data recorded by Opta.

The young Netherlands international spent the full campaign on loan at Fulham and made 13 appearances for the Cottagers, who were relegated back to the Championship.

Opta collated the highest speeds that were registered by all players across the term and our versatile defender finished top of the pile, clocking an impressive pace of 35.32 kilometres an hour.

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker was second on the countdown with a top speed of 35.27 km/h, with Wolverhampton Wanderers man Ruben Vinagre in third place on 35.20 km/h.

Scroll down to see the 10 fastest Premier League players…

FASTEST PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS IN 2018/19
10: Patrick van Aanholt, Crystal Palace | Top speed: 34 km/h
9: Sergio Rico, Fulham | Top speed: 35.01 km/h
8: Divock Origi, Liverpool | Top speed: 35.04 km/h
7: Felipe Anderson, West Ham United | Top speed: 35.11 km/h
6: Gerard Deulofeu, Watford | Top speed: 35.13 km/h
5: DeAndre Yedlin, Newcastle United | Top speed: 35.17 km/h
4: Leroy Sane, Manchester City | Top speed: 35.18 km/h
3: Ruben Vinagre, Wolverhampton Wanderers | Top speed: 35.20 km/h
2: Kyle Walker, Manchester City | Top speed: 35.27 km/h
1: Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Fulham (Manchester United) | Top speed: 35.32 km/h

WHAT IS NEXT FOR FOSU-MENSAH?

The 21-year-old has now completed two educational loan spells at Premier League clubs, after playing 24 times for Crystal Palace in 2017/18 before appearing 13 times for Fulham in 2018/19.

That spell at Craven Cottage was ended by an injury that required surgery and, at that time, the Academy graduate vowed to return as quickly as possible. “We get setbacks in life but it is how you bounce back that matters,” he posted on Twitter. “I’m gutted about what’s happened but I’m determined to come back stronger. Thank you for all your support. God is great.”

Fosu-Mensah currently has 21 United appearances to his name and, in the club’s history, he remains the fourth youngest player to start a Premier League match, following his full debut against Watford on 2 March 2016 when he was 18 years and 99 days old.

Whether Tim will build on that tally or not will presumably depend on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has recently spoken of his desire to assess the squad this summer and those who have returned from loan spells. It will be interesting to see if the youngster will go on tour to Australia and Asia.