Scouting the Doubles – Man United

Our second and final visit to “Scouting the Doubles” concludes with a look at the champions, Manchester Utd. Fergie’s team approach Gameweek 27 with the utmost confidence, following their fantastic 3-2 Champions League win in Milan, where, once again, Wayne Rooney showed his true class. With Rooney being introduced to thousands of fantasy lineups in preparation for the gamweek, let’s take a look at his prospects and those of his teamates…

The Opponents

First up is a difficult away trip to Everton, one of the league’s form teams. The Toffees have been beaten just once in their last eleven league games and come into this match on the back of beating Chelsea (and Sporting Lisbon) at Goodison Park, so this encounter will hold no fear. David Moyes’ squad has been decimated with injuries this season, but after a poor start, are showing more of their true form and character in the second half of the season.

West Ham then visit Old Trafford in a match that United will be expected to coast through. Since the turn of the year, though, the Hammers have been beaten just once in five games, chalking up three clean sheets in the process, but have an awful away record of just one league win on the road all season. Given that United hammered them 4-0 on their own patch, the fixture won’t hold much optimism for Gianfranco Zola’s team.

Current Form

United are unbeaten in eight league matches, and will undoubtedly be buoyed by Tuesday’s win over AC Milan. The continual disruption to their defence has meant they are uncharacteristically charitable on their travels this season; Fergie’s team have conceded in each of their last five away games, and have chalked up just three clean sheets away from home all season. At home, it’s another matter entirely; twenty goals scored and none conceded in their last five at Old Trafford.

Rotation Risk

Only Fergie knows how he’ll utilise his players over the two games, with the Carling Cup Final and the subsequent prospect of more silverware looming on the horizon. Logic would suggest he’ll play a full strength team at Goodison, then perhaps give the likes of Fletcher, Scholes or Carrick, and maybe even Rooney a chance to put their feet up and skip the West Ham game.

It’s impossible to second-guess the United boss; last month he made hints regarding resting Rooney then subsequently played him, but with yet another chance of silverware just round the corner, this West Ham game could well be the type he alluded to. Key to his decision-making could well be the Everton result; if it all goes well, then a less-than-full-strength team could potentially start against the Hammers.

Potential Targets

First of all, a brief reminder; any transfers in should be made bearing in mind that United will, of course, miss GW28, as that is the weekend of the Carling Cup Final against Aston Villa…

Patrice Evra is the only first-choice member of the United back four to have offered any sort of stability to the defence this season, with both Ferdinand and Vidic continually blighted by injury. His attacking performances have seen the Frenchman with five assists to his name, the same, impressively, as Wayne Rooney. In addition, with United’s recent above-mentioned home form, there’s every chance a cleanie is on the cards.
Predicted Return: 1 Clean Sheet

Antonio Valencia will be thankful for Nani’s red card against Villa, as it gives the winger a chance to re-establish himself in Fergie’s first XI. After a slow start to the season, his form had really picked up and it was a surprise to see him benched in recent games. Valencia’s last 6 league home games have seen him pick up a fantastic 54 points, as United set about destroying their Old Trafford opponents. Nani’s unavailability and the injury to Ryan Giggs means Valencia should be near-guaranteed two lots of 90 mins.
Predicted Return: 2 assists, 1 clean sheet, 2 Bonus Points

Dimitar Berbatov has, once again, flattered to deceive this season, and has managed just two 90 min league appearances since mid-October. United’s last five away appearances have seen him average just over 28 mins per game, but his home form, FPL-wise, has still ticked over; the Bulgarian has picked up 30 points in his last five appearances at Old Trafford.
Predicted Return: 1 goal, 1 assist.

Wayne Rooney. Need you know more? The man can do no wrong this season; twenty one league goals already, forty FPL Bonus Points, he is a machine that every team surely must have. His performance at the San Siro only enhanced claims he can legitimately be labelled world-class, and Rooney would like nothing better to continue that with a goal or three at his old club Everton this weekend. If he gets the minutes against West Ham, Zola and co should quake in fear; Rooney’s last five Old Trafford performances have seen him chalk up an incredible 63 FPL points (9,11,12,20,11), and will run riot if Fergie lets him off the leash.
Predicted Return: 2 goals, 1 assist, 4 Bonus Points