U21 Team of the Week: Manchester United and Chelsea youngsters feature
Here we run through the best WhoScored rated XI from the weekend's action in Europe's top five leagues, comprised of players aged 21 and under.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (AC Milan) - 7.52 rating
AC Milan have kept successive clean sheets in the league for the first time since September after beating Cagliari 2-0 on Saturday. Rising star Gianluigi Donnarumma made three saves and successfully claimed three crosses to see his side over the line.
Right-back: Reece James (Chelsea) - 7.69 rating
Reece James is one of three Chelsea players in the XI after Frank Lampard's side recorded a 3-0 win at home to Burnley. James registered his second assist of the league campaign after teeing up Tammy Abraham for Chelsea's second of the game just before half-time. The 20-year-old registered three key passes in total and even had three shots.
Centre-back: Bafode Diakite (Toulouse) - 8.34 rating
Toulouse could not arrest their alarming losing streak at the weekend but 19-year-old defender Bafode Diakite came out of their 5-2 defeat with some credibility. The teenager scored both of his team's goals in the space of five first-half minutes. He also finished the game with five tackles and interceptions combined and made eight clearances.
Centre-back: Marash Kumbulla (Verona) - 7.18 rating
Verona's remarkable season continued at the weekend with a 2-1 victory at home to Genoa. 19-year-old centre-back Marash Kumbulla played a key role to help his side over the line with seven aerial duels won and five tackles and interceptions combined. He also lifted the pressure off his side with four fouls won.
Left-back: Brandon Williams (Manchester United) - 8.24 rating
Brandon Williams has been a real success story for Manchester United this season and the 19-year-old turned in his best performance to date in a 4-0 win over Norwich on Saturday. Williams won the penalty from which Marcus Rashford scored and completed eight tackles and interceptions combined. The teenager did spurn a golden opportunity to get his first league goal, however.
Central midfield: Yassine Benrahou (Nimes) - 8.43 rating
Signed on loan from Bordeaux earlier this month, Yassine Benrahou couldn't have hoped for a better debut for Nimes after scoring in a 2-0 win over Reims on Saturday. The 20-year-old took the WhoScored Man of the Match award after inspiring his new club to three points. Benrahou registered four key passes, completed three dribbles and was fouled five times.
Central midfield: Hianga'a M'Bock (Brest) - 7.95 rating
Brest turned in their best display of the season at the weekend after thumping Toulouse 5-2 away from home. Hianga'a M'Bock even managed to get in on the act after scoring from the bench in the second half. On just his second appearance of the season, the 20-year-old managed two aerial duels won, two attempts on goal and two successful dribbles in 50 minutes.
Central midfield: Mason Mount (Chelsea) - 7.86 rating
Following a difficult run of games, Mason Mount rediscovered his best form in Chelsea's triumph over Burnley. The England international completed 93.5% of his attempted passes and registered three key passes. Mount had two attempts on goal and made three tackles and interceptions combined.
Right wing: Ismaila Sarr (Watford) - 7.66 rating
Watford lifted themselves out of the bottom three with a hugely impressive 3-0 win away to relegation rivals Bournemouth at the weekend. Ismaila Sarr was again key to Watford's triumph, registering an assist in the win. Sarr has now scored or assisted in three games in a row and in four of his last five league appearances. The 21-year-old completed three dribbles in total and registered two key passes.
Striker: Rafael Leao (AC Milan) - 7.75 rating
Zlatan Ibrahimovic understandably courted all of the headlines after scoring his first goal since returning to AC Milan but Rafael Leao, 17 years Ibrahimovic's junior, was also on the scoresheet in their 2-0 win at Cagliari. Leao, netting for the second league game this season, had two attempts in total and also completed two dribbles.
Left wing: Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea) - 7.79 rating
Callum Hudson-Odoi celebrated the first Premier League goal of his career in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Burnley. The England international has now scored in two straight matches for the Blues and against Burnley the 19-year-old also registered three key passes.
