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Our strength in depth this season means that, even when injury strikes, we’ve got enough quality waiting in the wings to ensure our performances and chances of victory are hardly affected.

But there’s still times when you know you’re missing someone so crucial in the side when they’re sidelined. And at the moment, despite the good performance at Old Trafford and Sunday’s comfortable win over QPR, we’re still missing the best passer of our midfield.

Mark Noble has enjoyed a brilliant start to the campaign and embraced the responsibility of the armband before his injury. And although we’re lucky to have someone like Alex Song to take control in our midfield, as well as the returning Kevin Nolan, Noble’s absence is bigger than first expected.

Because Noble was the leading passer in the Premier League before Sunday’s QPR victory, enjoying a huge average 16.6% of all our attempted passes per game, which is more than the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Yaya Toure and Ander Herrera.

So let’s hope he’s back fit and pulling the strings for us in time for the trip to Burnley…

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