Man Utd are Europe's deadliest team in stoppage time

11:28pm on Friday 5th February 2021
By Robin Bairner

Manchester United are the team in Europe’s top five leagues that are most dangerous in injury time at the end of games.

For years under Sir Alex Ferguson, United were known for their propensity to score key late goals. Indeed, the intimidating figure cut by Ferguson on the touchline, and the subsequent pressure the referee was said to be under, led to this period being known as ‘Fergie Time’.

Current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was the scorer of one of the most famous of these goals as he netted in the 1999 Champions League final as Man Utd came back from behind to beat Bayern Munich 2-1 down very late on.

His side appear to have inherited the knack of scoring late on, too.

Which team scores the most late goals?

United have scored six times this season after the 90th minute – no other team in Europe has more that four. Indeed, each of Europe’s top leagues has at least one team on that mark, with Real Madrid and Milan the most notable.

Meanwhile, Man Utd's great rivals Liverpool do not have a single stoppage-time goal to their name this season.

Goals after 90 mins in Europe's Big 5 Leagues

Club	Goals
Manchester United	6
Real Madrid	4
Real Betis	4
Stuttgart	4
Milan	4
Sassuolo	4
Brest	4
Lorient	4

In terms of teams that finishes matches strong, though, it is Paris Saint-Germain who are the most prolific side in the 75th minute or later. Mauricio Pochettino’s men have scored 15 goals in that period.

Juventus, too, are also prolific in the closing stages of games. Andrea Pirlo’s men may be third in the Serie A standings, but they are top when it comes to performing late on, with 14 goals.

Goals after 75 mins in Europe's Big 5 Leagues

Club	Goals
PSG	15
Juventus	14
Manchester United	13
Leicester	12
Chelsea	12
Inter	12
Sassuolo	12
Atletico Madrid	12
Bayern Munich	11
Stuttgart	11
West Ham	11

The best side in Spain, meanwhile, are runaway league leaders Atletico Madrid, who have netted 12 times in the closing stages of matches. That mark is equalled in the Premier League by Chelsea and Leicester, as well as in Italy by Inter and Sassuolo.

Germany is the league in which there has been least late action, although Bayern Munich have still managed to score 11 times in the closing minutes. They are matched by Stuttgart.