Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Manchester United vs Chelsea

After Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool the points at West Brom, our attentions now turn to Old Trafford as Manchester United entertain Chelsea in the 4.00pm kick-off.

The big news is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named amongst the substitutes for the home side, with Jose Mourinho conceding that the veteran is “very tired” as he juggles his options ahead of the upcoming Europa League clash with Anderlecht.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also on the bench, though Antonio Valencia’s 15.7% owners can breathe a sigh of relief – he’s handed a first league start since Gameweek 30.

With a double Gameweek 34 against Burnley and neighbours City just around the corner, this afternoon’s match affords Fantasy managers the chance to cast an eye over Mourinho’s side.

Certainly, Ibrahimovic owners will be desperate for more than just a late cameo – he’s the second most captained player for Gameweek 33, with more than 621,000 handing him the armband.

Chelsea pair Diego Costa (7.9%) and Eden Hazard (4.3%) could emerge as differential captaincy picks, though United have been solid in front of their own supporters, conceding just twice in their last five at Old Trafford.

Indeed, that resilient record – allied with two goals in his previous nine appearances – goes some way to explaining why Costa was the most transferred out player last week, with over 121,000 owners looking elsewhere.

Marcos Alonso’s 15.9% owners are left cursing their luck, though, after the top-scoring defender in FPL was forced to withdraw prior to kick-off after picking up a knock in the warm-up.

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2,685 Comments Post a Comment
  1. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What's wrong with Pogba? Playing like a 89m man player today.

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

      No Mkhi or Mata to get in his way. Not in the deep role either.

  2. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    On Alonso, this is what the commentator said at the start of the game:
    That he was ill and thought he'd shake it off but wasn't feeling the best during warm up.

    Corrections welcome if I have it wrong.

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ah, thanks for the information.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Geoff did say that. Few days rest, hopefully he'll be fine!

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Don't trust that website

  3. Sims
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba showing why's worth 80m+

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Future WC's & Euro's wrapped up for England after this 25 minutes from Rashford!

    1. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      LOL the next lewondowski they say....hilarious

      1. Waynoo
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        who are they?

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Don't think we will know how good or bad he is until he gets a run of games up front (not on the wing as he is not a winger)

  5. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    C'mon Moses, part the red sea and then grab a goal my son.....

  6. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Kante's a poor man's Pogba 🙂

  7. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Shut up Carra, no one cares.

  8. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    United are playng like Stoke. How many fouls

  9. karvs155
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Holebas 8pt in for Alonso, yayy!

    1. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Same

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Bet there's a fair few of those

    3. Lucky_Z
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Same

  10. Typo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Valencia doin good? Close to assist?

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

      I'd be happy with 6 points

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hasn't touched the ball.

  11. Sims
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    did Henry give Costa cheating classes?

  12. martyhan
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Would it be madness to go Gibson captain next week?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Triple captain.

    2. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      no thats beyond madness

    3. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A little

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Only if you live in a padded room

    5. Ryan Naysmith
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Thought the same will get us at least 12

  13. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    What next? Bendtner rested tomorrow ?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Better not, I'm captaining him.

    2. Typo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Prob not

  14. LeicesterA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    So, just back in from my 30th birthday meal. I see a 1 point from Brunt and that I've got Mee -1 for Alonso.

    What a great afternoon!

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      The 30th is never fun

      1. LeicesterA
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Right!

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Hope you didn't have the same dish that Alonso did!

      1. LeicesterA
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Beef Lasagne. Although it came with garlic bread and not chips as requested. Guess I should have seen it as a sign of what was to come...

    3. QueefParkRangers
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      They do say it's down hill from 30.

      1. LeicesterA
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        In which case, if anyone has Valencia in this game, I apologise in advance!

    4. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Wait til your 40th.....

      Actuall why are back? The night is young

      1. LeicesterA
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Just a meal. It's off to Vegas for the real deal.

  15. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Just spotted Alonso. Under the weather apparently. Better than injured I suppose. Mawson 2pts for 3rd wk in a row.

    1. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      good he will start next week then

  16. walkman666
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Very exciting, rough game!

  17. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Trashley

  18. Dušan Citizen
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Just noticed Alonso is on the bench...

  19. HVT
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Pogba to get a call up soon for England?

  20. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I dont understand why Conte would not play Nathan Ake as Alonso's replacement he is a natural left footer and can play the position

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I swear

    2. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Azpi more than capable of playing wing-back.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Doesn't trust him. Joke recalling him in January!

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        He should have left him at Bournemouth if he had no intention of playing him

  21. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    United have all the pace, steel, and flair so far.

  22. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso benched. Hold your horses Maguire bencwonkers.

    1. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      not in the squad. Dig that

    2. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      ?

    3. Fowler23
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      No he's not

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He got injured pre match warm up.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        I know but why the heck is he sitting on bench?

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Watching the game?

      2. FPL Pillars
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Or illness

      3. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No he didn't he's not recovered from illness.

  23. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    kante is literally single handedly saving chelsea from going down 3-0 in the first half. he is abolsutely everywhere!!

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yes he was directly involved in couple of fouls.

  24. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Chelsea last cleansheet, Jan 22, home to Hull, GW 22

    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      My mini league rival got Alonso, Cahill and Azpi on his wildcard in GW21. I was probably 50 points behind him at the time, 4 points behind now, his lack of clean sheets has really helped me close the gap! 😀

    2. JÆKS ⭐
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      And yet I'm too afraid to sell Alonso on my WC 😀

    3. mcrayeps
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Alonso and cahill on top of def total points

  25. FALCAO & MOU
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I have been saying Ibra will be missing a game forever, although I must accept I didn't expect him to be benched against Chelsea.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      You think this is the only rest for him? Likely to start both DGW games?

      1. FALCAO & MOU
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        No, he will be rested again, against Burnley, because he always insists that he gets motivation against Guardiola.

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      So you've been wrong for a long time then?

    3. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      if u have been saying that forever then this is the first time you have been right after being wrong countless times. u dig?

    4. FALCAO & MOU
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I was expecting some mocking as soon as I pressed POST.

    5. Danno - Emre Canada
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Good tatics, Chelsea don't like players running at them with pace so much as a target man

      1. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Tactics*

  26. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier is he? 😀

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Only in a Fools one 😉

  27. JÆKS ⭐
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    I really think Manu should let Ibra go after this year. He is a quality player but he slows down the game way too much. First game from Manu this year where I actually think they deserve to be in the top 4, and it's with Rashford up front. That type of striker suits them better imo

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Agree. Rashford deserves a proper chance upfront.

    2. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      this.

      slows them down massively

  28. BALOOO
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ibra>Negredo -12?

  29. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso on the bench

    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He went off with an injury in the warm-up.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, but he is on the bench

        1. dark91
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Where else will he sit ?

        2. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          Good view to watch the game.