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.

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959 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    There must be no middlesborough fans suffering from insomina .

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

    Someone on here suggest Walker could play based on Poch's comments and how he's apparently said similar for injuries before only to have the player start.

    Great shout whoever it was 😛

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

    Mata got the 'assist'.

  4. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Who are the must haves on a WC?

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

      Just Yoshida

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Tadic a shoe in

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

      Vardy.

  5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Relegate boro now

    They have to be the most boring teams I have ever seen

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

      This

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

      I love when teams sack a manager because they reckon it's his fault and not the absolutely dreadful players at his disposal.

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

        Why wenger still dont get sack?

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Make's pullis look like Brazil

    4. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      They'll be fine as they have such an easy run in. Should pick up 12 points from the last 4 games of the season

  6. Bazzalona
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What a goal by Lingard.

  7. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    This could be the first time in a long time that I get a full house (points wise) from four at the back and the goalkeeper.

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Jinx

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        haha 😀

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

      In the same boat! Praying you haven't jinxed it now

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

        Oh ffs

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

    Cedric, Stephens, Romeu, Yoshida

    Romeu reverse OOP and Yoshida full back

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

      Seems weird, I'm expecting Bertrand at LB

  9. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jansen on the bench .. wow

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

      Why "wow"? As expected

  10. Fergies fledgling
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Another irrelevant goal for FPL purposes.

    Late one for Boro to wreck the United CS?

    1. moosiemovic17
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      only if Valencia get a brace.

  11. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Bertrand ineligible vs his parent club?

  12. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Walker flag removed

    That was quick lol

    1. VS10_
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nice consistency.

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

        It's all about consistency

    2. McQueen
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Someone needed that price reset as soon as possible, if he got injured again during the game they couldn't remove the flag and would drop tonight most likely.

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

    Surprising that Boro don't just load up the box and throw in crosses. Leave 4 back for the counter. Two out wide to whip in the crosses. GK in goal. 4 in the opposition box.

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I can't believe you're not a manager

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

    2 yung savages Gestede and Traore to do damage

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Banana man coming on

  16. Bazzalona
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Here'sssss bananaman.

  17. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Mata to Rojo while 2:0 up against Boro got to be the classic Mou substitute.

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

      Can't really blame him can you?

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

        It always blew in his face at Madrid when he put Pepe/Nacho in for the last 15. Lost all the pressure and conceded posession. Cant see it happening against Boro though.

  18. Sweetboi
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Would love a rare Boro goal here.

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

      I wouldnt

  19. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I can see Boro getting a consolation now United have relaxed

    1. dark91
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I don't mind

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

        A win's a win

  20. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Tarore is like Steve McManaman, before he figured out that he needed to look up now and again.

  21. Hobolicious
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    This is so going to end 1-2...

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

      Stop jinxing it

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

      93rd minute Gestede consolation goal would be delicious 🙂

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

        Sales Value is more relevant ... especially when using the WC

      2. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Almost

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      hopefully.. rival has triple ManU def.. DDG, Valencia, Bailly

  22. Sanguinista
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Team Value: 109.1, looking to WC post today's games. On a scale of 1-10, how'd you rate this lot?

    DDG Pickford

    Valencia Alonso Cedric Vertonghen Stephens

    Mane Mahrez Pedro Siggy De Roon

    Gabbi Costa Vardy

    with 5.6 ITB. Short term plan going forward (ignoring price changes for now)

    GW31: Siggy to Alexis (1.6 ITB)
    GW32: Mane to Alli (2.2 ITB)

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

      If you're on WC just get them in now.

      1. Sanguinista
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Who do u reckon I should get in now?

    2. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Why lose Siggy?

      See how Son does and maybe get him instead of Ali so you have funds to do Mane - Sanchez and De Roon - Son?

      1. Sanguinista
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Agree, but I expect Son to be rotated with Jansen & lose his spot once Kane returns

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

          I doubt he'll be rotated if he scores again today and Kane isn't back for at least six weeks I think.

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

      Get Spurs cover.Not Pedro.

    4. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Ayew over Pedro
      No Lukaku could hurt if he carries on even with less fixtures

    5. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Get Tadic in rather than two SOU defenders.

      Have to get Ibra in over Costa...you have Pedro.

      You'll want Kane as well when he's back come to think of it.

      No Lukaku either...bit risky atm.

      I'll shut up now 🙂

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

    Can we have some Walker attacking returns please?

  24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Gestede injured

  25. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    So boring match..
    Bring on Son's hatty

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

      That's Moureen for ya

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

        Boro* 😉

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

        Lol not really. Look at the opposition.

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

          That 11 against the lowest scoring team in the league.

      3. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Bring on Pocheen then..

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    United CS locked in! Aimless balls into a bigger donkey than Rondon & Carroll put together.

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

    Traore causing problems already...

  28. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    NEGREDO CLOSE!

  29. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    come on one goal pleeeaassseeeee

  30. Crow
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Gw30 transfers

    A) King > Son
    B) Brunt > Walker
    C) Baines > Valencia
    D) two of above for a hit