I have been wondering for a while on the number of shots and shots on target at this stage compared to last year. Comparing stats after 18 games from this year and last year here is what I found.

 

Shots 2015/16

142

 

Shots 2016/17

296

 

Shots on target 2015/16

67

 

Shots on target 2016/17

102

 

I think the difference is quite noticeable and interesting to look at. Finding the numbers after 18 games for the 2015/16 season was a bit more involved than I thought it would be. I had to refer to articles that noted statistics up to and until our loss to Norwich last December. I then found the stats for the Stoke game and added the numbers to make the full 18.

 

Do let me know if there is a resource out there that has this kind of data for previous seasons after a certain number of games

 

This seasons stats are on the Premier League website.

 

Sources for the 2015/16 stats

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/10106899/louis-van-gaals-problems-in-stats-where-manchester-united-are-failing

https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/678922962393686021

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35139937