Scout Scribbles – United Scramble Through

Wayne Rooney is shifted up front as United edge past Preston at Deepdale. Jose Mourinho confirms Diego Costa will start against PSG tonight, Tim Sherwood talks up Christian Benteke’s prospects, West Ham could be set to welcome back two centre-halves this weekend, whilst Mile Jedinak is expected to return for Palace’s clash with Arsenal.

United into Last Eight

Louis van Gaal’s side came from behind to clinch a 3-1 win at Preston last night. The United boss fielded Wayne Rooney alongside Radamel Falcao up top and handed Marouane Fellaini the role in “the hole”, whilst Ander Herrera was handed a rare start on the right of the midfield diamond as a result of Rooney’s change of position. Herrera, Fellaini and Rooney all found the net, though the latter’s strike came as a consequence of a debatable spot-kick award.

The Scout Says: The absence of Robin van Persie finally afforded Rooney his favoured role after months of being mired in central midfield. After the match, Van Gaal confirmed he expects Van Persie to be fit for the weekend clash against Swansea, though, leaving him a dilemma up front yet again. Herrera’s display in the middle may convince Van Gaal to partner Rooney with Van Persie, though, after another poor display from Falcao. Indeed, it was the Colombian’s withdrawal on the hour mark, allied with a change in tactics and the introduction of Ashley Young, that brought about the turnaround in fortunes as the Red Devils progressed despite yet another underwhelming performance.

Benteke central to Sherwood’s plans

Tim Sherwood watched on from the stands as his newly inherited Aston Villa side gained entry into the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon by way of a 2-1 victory over Leicester City. During his official unveiling on Monday, the former Tottenham boss revealed what he said to the players after a goalless first half, a speech that underlined the need to involve Christian Benteke:

“[I told them] to play with less fear. I thought it was a bit tentative. We had to get [Christian] Benteke more in the game. There’s a little bit of apprehension around the place. They need to play with a bit more confidence then everything will be fine. He probably needs a goal for his confidence. If he scores goals that will breed confidence and more will follow. It’s not a one-man team. He needs to recapture the form that we all know because all the best clubs in the world were after him. He will need to be helped out by the rest of the squad. They need to step up to the plate.”

The Scout Says: Despite being utilised as a sub for the last two matches of Paul Lambert’s tenure, Benteke’s underlying stats remained highly impressive. The big Belgian may have failed to score in each of the last eight Gameweeks but produced more touches in the box (68) and attempts from close-range (21) than any other forward in the top-flight. Although it’s remiss to completely absolve Benteke of blame for his scoring drought, the lack of creativity from midfield under Lambert’s tenure was Villa’s most glaring deficiency – Ashley Westwood, Tom Cleverley and Fabian Delph created less chances combined (63) than Cesc Fabregas (66) managed on his own. There were signs in the second half of the FA Cup tie that this is set to change under their new manager, as this midfield trio laid on seven chances for Benteke in the second half, having only fashioned three in the first 45 minutes. Sherwood will look to build on this as Villa embark on an excellent run of fixtures (STO, new, WBA, sun, SWA) that could provide the perfect platform for the 7.4-priced Benteke to rediscover his scoring touch.

Collins and Reid could face Tottenham

West Ham defensive duo Winston Reid and James Collins are set to resume training this week after a three-match injury layoff and could return in time to face Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s derby.

Discussing the club’s injury situation, Sam Allardyce went on to say:

“We’ve got a good recovery period now. We’ll have our usual post-game routine and then it’s the big derby on Sunday against Spurs. We’ll have some of our injured players back to bolster the squad, which will help, and hopefully we’ll bounce straight back at Tottenham.”

The Scout Says: News of the pair’s return to training will come as sweet relief to the Hammers boss, after he had to endure a painful watch last Saturday when his defence were breached on four occasions by a rampant West Brom. In the absence of two recognised centre-backs, midfield enforcer Cheikhou Kouyate filled in alongside James Tomkins – a partnership that yielded the Irons’ worst defeat of the season. These defensive reinforcements arrive at just the right time for West Ham in light of the four consecutive London match-ups (tot, CRY, CHE, ars) on their schedule. Nonetheless, such an unforgiving run should dissuade most Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers from investing in the 5.0-priced Reid and 4.5-priced Collins – at least until West Ham’s fixtures improve from Gameweek 30 onwards (SUN, lei, STO).

Costa to start this evening

Despite conceding that Diego Costa isn’t fully fit as a result of his recent three-match domestic ban, Jose Mourinho confirmed that the striker will spearhead Chelsea’s attack against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday evening, ahead of Didier Drogba and Loic Remy.

“Yes, I start him. But I don’t think it’s good for a player to be three weeks, or three matches, without starting a game. So I don’t think he’s in the best of his condition. But, at the same time, [Loic] Remy and [Didier] Drogba have played in the last three matches. Obviously it is important for them to have minutes and confidence. I know that I have them both ready for the game, too.”

The Scout Says: Chelsea may have extended their lead over City in Costa’s enforced absence but with just four goals scored in the three matches without him, it’s easy to see just why Mourinho is so desperate for his return. Drafted in by almost 120,000 FPL managers this week, Costa – despite facing a blank Gameweek 27 – is the number on transfer target by some distance ahead of Chelsea’s weekend home encounter with Burnley. Given his lack of match sharpness, though, Costa’s minutes tonight will need to be monitored – if Mourinho rations his pitch time, many non-owners may decide to avoid for the Clarets clash if the Spain international is eased back into the fray, with Remy and Drogba offering the Blues’ boss weekend alternatives.

Jedinak in line for weekend return

Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak is optimistic he has shaken off the ankle complaint that had sidelined him since returning from the Asia Cup. The Aussie midfielder told Sky sports News HQ that he’s growing restless on the bench as he watches his team-mates thrive under new manager Alan Pardew.

“We’ll just have to wait and see if I play against Arsenal, but at this stage it is going really well. I’m not the best of watchers. When you have to go to a game and watch your team, I’m not the best at that, but it is what it is. I’m there and I support my team-mates. It’s been great to feel the buzz around here. I’m itching to get back out there and be involved in that first hand.”

The Scout Says: It’s testament to Pardew’s positive impact since he took the helm at Selhurst Park that the Eagles have steadily accrued points without Jedinak’s influential presence. Despite missing Palace’s last six league ties, he’s still their joint-top goalscorer (five goals) alongside Dwight Gayle, all the while providing a formidable buffer for the rearguard. Jedinak’s potential return against the Gunners, allied with Yannick Bolasie’s availability after his recent international duties, means we could get a better idea of Pardew’s first-choice midfield as the Gunners roll up to Selhurst Park. With back-to-back trips to West Ham and Southampton to follow, many will be prepared to steer clear of Palace’s assets until the fixtures turn better in Gameweek 29.