Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Manchester United

We drop by the Riverside in the first of three Sunday fixtures before yet another international break is thrust upon us.

Middlesbrough attempt to regroup after parting company with Aitor Karanka, as the Teesside team look to improve a dire run of form that has harvested two goals in their previous eight Premier League matches.

United are, of course, without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Marcus Rashford leading the line as the big Swede serves the second of a three-match ban.

Despite being without Paul Pogba due to a hamstring problem, Jose Mourinho has opted to bench Henrikh Mkhitaryan for today’s clash, frustrating the 17,000+ who drafted in the Armenian for this one.

Juan Mata – with two goals in his last three league appearances – potentially has the chance to play his way into Fantasy managers’ plans as United prepare to face 11 league matches in the remaining nine rounds of fixtures.

At the back, Antonio Valencia has been transferred in by over 57,000 FPL managers this week – three assists and a trio of clean sheets in United’s last six league matches highlight the Ecuadorian’s points potential at both ends of the pitch.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

959 Comments Post a Comment
  1. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Man Utd have picked up 22 pts from a possible 27 pts away from home against teams outside the Top 7. Middlesbrough have not won a game at home against teams in the Top 10 (3 draws, 3 losses).Stats suggest a 0-2 or 1-2 win for Man Utd.

    1. Smoky Johnson
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      nice digging. I concur - this game will end in Utds favour.

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Boro changing manager beforehand to have a impact do!

    3. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'd take whatever possible win as long as 3 points are on the board. Opportunity now to make some strides further in the top 6 which needs to be taken.

    4. Brap.
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      But these things only mean anything if you can also prove that past results against the Top 7 correlate with future results against the Top 7.

      Or sorry is it the Top 10?

      Why did you chose the Top 7 as your dataset for one example then Top 10 for the other?

      C'mon people, we did study basic statistics at school right?

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        All the clever kids did Pure & Applied Maths when I was at school. Always thought Pure & Stats was for the ones who struggled a bit.

      2. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Top 7 because it is clear that Chelsea, Spurs, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton are well ahead of the rest. You then have a group of 3 teams that are decent, but not near the Top 7 - Stoke, Southampton and WBA. Then there is the rest. Hence the Top 7, Top 10, Bottom 10.

        1. Brap.
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          But how are you adjusting for different lineups? Ibra and Pogba are out.

  2. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Clear to see Somlion has an agenda against Mourinho 🙂

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      What a bizarre comment.

      I'm a United fan and my point was if LVG was in charge and benched Mkhitaryan for this game, which is a really vital 3 points, people would be furious.

      I didn't realise I can't criticise my own team's manager for what I view as a poor decision without me having an agenda. Duly noted.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cloughie would have said: "If you haven't got an agenda, why are you on the pitch?". 😉

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          😀 Suppose that's why I'm not on the pitch 😉

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            You know what I mean. 😛 😆

            1. Somalion
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              😆 😆

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Like it 🙂

      2. Brap.
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        It's the "looking like you're in control" bump managers get

        Like how Klopp gets more slack than a boring-looking guy like Hodgson

        English football fans like "glamour"

  3. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Just to get this right, If I get Gab for Rondon but during the international break I decide to WC, I don't lose a FT right?

    1. Dazzler365
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Right

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If you wildcard you don't keep your free transfer anyway.

  4. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    If you use All out Attack chip and one of your mids or forwards doesn't play, does the game auto sub in a 3rd defender? Thanks.

    1. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yes and chip is lost. Good riddance.

  5. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Boro 0-2 United

    2x Jones

    Valencia yellow card and subbed on 59:59

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      *would need to be 58:59!

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        No. You clearly didn't watch Coutinho last week.

        1. Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Coutinho only played 59mins tbf

      2. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        That wouldn't be sixty minutes.

        1. Evasivo
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Exactly 🙂

          1. Cilly Bonnolly
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            59:00 wouldn't be sixty minutes either.

  6. Evasivo
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Not a great bout, hopefully 1-1 with Downing & Linguard goals! (De Gea red would be nice)
    What you all hoping for?

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      0-1 (G Rashford, A Valencia)

  7. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Will Boro actually attack today?

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I finally sold Negredo, so am expecting he'll get a penalty.

    2. Smurf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I think Boro will get something from this game.

  8. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Middlesbrough v Man Utd on Midday Mundane and its NOT live.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      it is on NBCSN anyway

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      it is on BT sport

  9. Mr. Blonde
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia right winger

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Glad I got him.

  10. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I really don't understand short corners. It's one thing if you're trying to catch the defense out when they don't expect it, but what is the point when they can see it coming?

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I don't mind the odd one, but in recent weeks I'm noticing more and more of them as well as short frees. Often they don't work out particularly well but some teams persist.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Exactly. The odd one where it catches teams out. Not when they fully expect it.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      There is a dearth of dead ball strikers, is what.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Professional footballers should be able to kick a dead ball one would think 😛

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Surprisingly, I've seen quite a few who aren't as good at it as their wages suggest 😯

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            See just below ... 🙂

        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Would you? Well, there are less than 1 in a 100, who are anywhere near capable.

          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            I agree.

            Not even from a dead ball perspective, there are sometimes I wonder how someone earning £50-100k a week can mishit a ball so badly. Or even simple passes. De Bruyne is one who boils my blood. Not that he lacks talent, but so often he tries a 5 yard pass and plants it in the feet of a defender.

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 1 month ago

              Perhaps he is a reincarnation of Stevie Gerrard ... 😉

              1. Somalion
                • 14 Years
                7 years, 1 month ago

                😆

                Say it quietly! There are Pool boys about 😯 😉

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  7 years, 1 month ago

                  Oops!!! 😳

    3. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I'm don't mind short corner but after the short one get it into the box.

      A short corner followed by losing it is frigging criminal.

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah that's what really annoys me the most too!

      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        + 42.

      3. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yep.

        Or when they've taken the short corner, lost it, win another corner, try the same thing again...

    4. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Everton were very guilty of this yesterday. Barkley did three in a row - all completely ineffective. I wish they weren't allowed.

  11. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thought the game was OT.....

  12. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia equal 1 baps nice

  13. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Rash you useless donkey

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody's mastered the Henry finish. 😎

      1. UnitednationsXI
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        sigh, such a good chance

  14. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Have no one in this match or the next, 1-0 wins for Boro and Saints will do me nicely

  15. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Why are United using their 3rd team

    1. Lone Wolf
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      They don't have robots..yet.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      It's a cunning plan, or stunt. 😉

    3. Josse
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Mou trying to prove he was right..

  16. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    3 atb doesn't seem to suit United thus far.

  17. Lone Wolf
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Best possible 3 strikers right now? Lukaku + Vardy + Costa ?
    But when Ibra will come back?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ibra has 1 more game to sit out.

      1. Lone Wolf
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        But a bit of planning won't hurt, right?

        1. Wilshere Knowledge
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Ah, I see what you mean. I've kept him personally.

          No WC so couldn't afford to have him in and out.

    2. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not Costa for me, maybe Gabbi, then get Kane when hes fit.

  18. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Ramirez close.

  19. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Only the honest United fans admit that Mourinho used to he a good manager but is bang average now.
    And that he's an unlikeable , sullen egotist.

    All the others are lying to themselves.

    Up the Boro.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You sound like Berbinho's Forehead.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        There is no need to insult RCA - he's a gent! 😛 😉 😆

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Oh behave you!! 😉

          1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            😀

    2. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He looks miserable in charge of United.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        He had to get up early to travel to Smogland. I don't blame him.

    3. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      "What I think about a completely subjective thing is the absolute truth and any other opinion is a lie."

    4. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Never diss a man with a zip up turtle neck.

    5. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He has been a misery guts.

      I'm not sure what's going on with him either, I don't pretend to know the man's personal life but stuff like his family refusing to move with him makes it seem like all is not well 😕

    6. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      And still, in less than a season at United he's already managed to equal Liverpool's trophies won in the last 10 years 😉

      Tongue in cheek btw, as you're usually one of the good Pool fans. I'm not Mourinho's biggest fan by any means - always preferred Jürgen personally, and rate Pep higher.

  20. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Valencia really shouldn't be bombing on so much. Fabio is hardly a slouch himself

    1. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ok Jose

  21. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    You just know Valdes is going to play a blinder today against his former club

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Fabio says Hi.

    2. UnitednationsXI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      on cue!!

  22. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Middlesbough are really good at them corner kicks.

  23. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    the match is very boring right?

    1. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Of course.

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      What did you expect from middlesbrough?

    3. BALOOO
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Its United and Boro..... ?

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Will get exciting after 30mins, goals galore

  24. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who is taking the united corners??

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Young B-)

    2. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Young taking the ones on the left

    3. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      looks like valencia

  25. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    sigh!! just our luck..inspired goalkeeper again!

  26. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Scenes

  27. Egyptian Giza
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jesus christ!

  28. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Valdes save point. 😎

  29. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thank God Valencia didn't score there

  30. Zlatan Time
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    How have we not scored there?