Sports Direct this week revealed the 30 most popular footballers amongst fans in the UK.

Manchester United players make up almost 30% of the list whilst Leo Messi proves himself to be more popular than Cristiano Ronaldo amongst English fans.

Despite trying to force his way out of Arsenal, Alexis Sanchez remains on the list whilst record signing Alexandre Lacazette takes his place as the new 'fans favourite'.

Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie finds himself amongst some huge footballing names and recently re-signed Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is somehow in the top 10.

Former Chelsea captain John Terry joined Championship side Aston Villa over the summer and is the only active player on the list who doesn't play in the Premier League, La Liga or Ligue 1.

30. Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

The Danish midfielder, who signed from Ajax in 2013, has started the 2017/18 campaign is excellent form.

29. Cheick Tiote (Newcastle United)

Tiote sadly passed away whilst taking part in a training session earlier in 2017 at the age of 30. He spent seven years at Newcastle.

28. David de Gea (Manchester United)

The Manchester United number one is undoubtedly the finest keeper in the Premier League and is the only non-outfield player on the list.

27. Alvaro Morata (Chelsea)

Chelsea's club record signing from Real Madrid, hoping to fill the void left by Diego Costa, has scored twice in his opening three Premier League matches.

26. Adam Lallana (Liverpool)

The Liverpool midfielder excelled under Jurgen Klopp last season but is missing the start of the 17/18 season through injury.

25. Juan Mata (Manchester United)

Formerly of Chelsea, the creative Spanish midfielder is one of the most well-liked men in European football and recently started a campaign to give 1% of his wages to charity.

24. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United/Everton)

He rejoined his boyhood club over the summer and - if shirt sales are anything to go by - many Evertonians are delighted to have him back at Goodison Park.

23. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Signed from Roma for £37.1m this summer, the former Chelsea flop has begun his Liverpool career with a bang.

22. Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Arsenal's undoubted star man still makes the list despite trying to force his way out the club over the summer.

21. John Terry (Chelsea/Aston Villa)

He rejected a number of Premier League clubs because he couldn't face playing against Chelsea. Aston Villa fans have rewarded him with their love.

20. Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

The supremely talented German playermaker could leave the club on a free transfer next summer but fans are still desperate to have his name on their back.

19. N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)

Chelsea fans clearly appreciated Kante's debut season at Stamford Bridge and he is now the second most popular player at the club (in terms of shirt sales.)

18. Neymar Jr. (Barcelona/PSG)

He completed his world record €222m move to PSG in August and it's no surprise that he's already selling shirts worldwide.

17. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United)

The 26-year-old scored 23 goals in the Championship last season and fans in the north-east absolutely adore him.

16. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United)

It took time to win over Jose Mourinho but Mkhitaryan is flying now in Manchester United colours - the fans really appreciate him at Old Trafford.

15. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

The 32-year-old former Manchester United winger is a global brand these days and will always be a major hit on the back of shirts until the day he retires.

14. Ander Herrera (Manchester United)

There's no space for him in the Manchester United XI at the moment but reds supporters absolutely love their dynamic Basque midfielder.

13. Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United)

The former Bournemouth winger was excellent in the Championship last year and is amongst an array of world class footballers at number 13.

12. Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

The Brazilian forward has quietly been a huge success under Jurgen Klopp and perfectly compliments Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

11. Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

A key player for Mauricio Pochettino, the 21-year-old former MK Dons star is already considered one of the best midfielders in Europe.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

The veteran striker was released by the Red Devils when his contract expired in July but, recovering from a serious knee injury, recently signed a short-term deal.

9. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)

He handed in a transfer request over the summer and you have to assume that the vast majority of his shirt sales happened before the Barcelona saga took place.

8. Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Obviously. Need we say more.

7. Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Blessed with amazing pace, the former Southampton star is now considered one of the finest wingers in the world. Liverpool fans love him.

6. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

He's one of their own and he scores shed loads of goals too, just not in August.

5. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

He's also one of their own and, at 19, the young forward has the potential to become the greatest player in the club's history.

4. Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

The club record signing from Lyon has clearly taken Alexis Sanchez's mantle as the fans' favourite player - now he must deliver on the pitch.

3. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

The Belgian winger was brilliant in last season's title winning campaign and is expected to make his first appearance of the 17/18 season this weekend.

2. Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)

He didn't sell this many shirts during his time at Everton. The Belgian striker has begun his United career in frighteningly good form and his shirts are flying off the shelves.

1. Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

It had to be Agent P. The 24-year-old Frenchman was a little bit underwhelming in his first season at Old Trafford but - thanks to the arrival of Nemanja Matic - has a much more advanced role in which he is already prospering.