Members

The Numbers Game – Manchester United

Our summer series of members’ articles, offering an in-depth team-by-team analysis of the previous campaign, continues with Manchester United.

To get things up and running, we’ll look at the performance levels on a team level and attempt to spot trends or improvements.

We then delve into the player data, analysing the key individuals as we scour for early targets ahead of the new season.

Replacing Louis van Gaal as manager last May, Jose Mourinho could only manage a sixth-place finish in his first year in charge at Old Trafford.

This was, in part, due to the club’s successful march to Europa League success as Mourinho rotated his side towards the latter stages of the league season.

Despite adding big-name buys such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in attack, the Red Devils netted just 54 times – up five on 2015/16 and only eighth best in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, a total of 69 points was just three more than their haul from Van Gaal’s final year at the helm.

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

4,008 Comments Post a Comment
  1. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    H2H draft among 8 FFS users:

    Code to join: 108986-30504

    2 spots remaining, draft in 45 minutes.

    1. milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Last spot left now.

      1. GoRedz
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        finally in, thx for the link I was using the non draft site all along (yes its my first draft league)

        1. milanista10
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          No worries, welcome to the league.
          All sorted now, 8 players joined.
          Good luck all 🙂

  2. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Are plp picking Lukaku because his huge ownership or do you think he will score better than similar priced Aguero or cheaper options like Laca, Jesus and Morata?

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He's by FAR the best United coverage (completely nailed and proven fantasy asset) and given their amazing fixtures, you'd be crazy not to include him.

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I think he will be PL's top scorer this season

    2. bigbudgie
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Premier league experience over Laca and Morata. Both could take time to settle. Admittedly they could also explode whilst Lukaku struggles with the pressure, but I'll do it this way round. And I have Aguero

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      His fixtures and ownership. I think he'll start off well.
      Wait and see in Morata
      Not sure on Laca
      Jesus for 1mil less makes sense to me

    4. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Think Kane and Lukaku are most likely to start well and i'm concerned they'll be hard to get in if off to a flyer. Easier to downgrade em to Morata/Lacazette/Jesus etc in a few weeks

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Until I watched the United v City match, I thought Aguero may outscore Lukaku. But Kun was coming deep quite a lot, and United were looking very strong, so I'm going to monitor them.

      Kaku ownership is scary!

      1. Waxys
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Aguero is a better striker than Lukaku fact

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Currently, yes. Aguero is one of the best in the world imo. It's Pep I have the problem with.

          But both players are at the opposite ends of their careers. Lukaku's goal record is eye-watering for a player of his age...

        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Rafa Benitez - is that you??? 😉

  3. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    What do you think ?
    Foster
    Trippier-Cedric-Alonso-Daniels
    Alli-Mkhi-Redmond
    Lukaku-Kane-Benteke
    Bench:Elliot-RLC-Romeu-Rangel

    1. Pasqualinho
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I must say I find it very difficult to RMT for GW1 - there's always a compromise somewhere, you can't avoid that. But one thing I would say is that historically, most FPL managers tend not to keep any players for the whole season. So as far as I can tell, as long as you pick 15 players that you don't mind selling, then your team's ok.

      1. Bob_the_builder
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Fair enough.

  4. Net Gains
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Getting pretty close to the ideal 3-4-3?

    Foster

    Alonso Francis Cedric

    Sane Willian Redmond Phillips

    Kane Lukaku Jesus

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Midfield suffers IMO

      Big three could work when we see more (form etc) from mid-priced mids

    2. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      This is ideal 3-4-3 :

      Foster
      Alonso Trippier Mee
      Alli Sane Willian Phillips
      Kane Lukaku Austin

      Bench: Elliot Tomkins Carroll Rangel

      1. The Man Pastore
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        PS: you can copy, I don't mind

      2. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Tomkins and Rangel nailed?
        Decent starting 11

        1. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Rangel is not but I need a 4.0 def in there. Tomkins might be, I have to monitor that. I could switch to Francis/Mee rotation.

    3. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Your bench must be awful

    4. Sickboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Looks great, but have your subs played professional football in the last ten years?

  5. Tiki Takka
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Begovic, Fabiansky
    Trippier, Bertrand, Bailly, Francis, lowton
    Coutinho, Alli, Willian, Tadic, Carroll
    Lukaku, Morata, Austin

    What do you think ?

    1. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Decent balance
      Not sure on Bailly, go Lindel or no United, use the extra cash elsewhere
      Jesus over Morata

      1. Tiki Takka
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Morata is intouchable at this price is pure gold (in my opinion)

        I think lindelof will not start the saison so for now i'm on Bailly to get some United cover with these early "easy" fixtures

        Thank for the reply

    2. Expected Toulouse
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Solid team. Not sure Bailly worth 6m. Also wouldn't double on Saints attack and try get Kane in.

  6. Expected Toulouse
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which one to complete my forward line? Currently have Jesus.
    A. Lacazette
    B. Jesus
    C. Morata

    1. sentz05
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

    4. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah Jesus until we see how the new strikers settle in

    5. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. Expected Toulouse
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ok, thanks all for the advice.

  7. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    How does this look? Assuming preseason form of these 3 mids continues and Lindelof settles in.

    Foster (Elliot)
    Trippier Ake Lindelof Bertrand (Dunk)
    Mkhitarian William Ramsey (RLC Chalobah)
    Lukaku Jesus Alli

    1. The Wizard of Ozil
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      How come Alli is up front?

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      *Kane up front not Alli

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Didnt realise Alli was reclassified this season

  8. Beatle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    In the draft Leagues can you trade between managers before the season starts??

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No, but you can sign new players that have been added to FPL since your draft took place. The player who drafted last gets first dibs, then next to last and so on.

    2. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No trades

  9. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which one to drop?

    Kane Lukaku Jesus

    1. Beatle
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus imo

    2. LangerznMash
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus easily

    3. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Difficult one

      Jesus or Kane if you have Alli

  10. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    As much as City will be stronger this year, it is almost impossible to find ANY nailed player.
    Attractive as they could be, Full backs are in the waste bin now.
    KDB comes closest but not even sure on him.
    The more I look the more I think there has to be a good bench this year as all top sides are doing their utmost to get 2 teams.
    Maybe Palace, West Ham Soton Bournemouth should be one's main structure for FPL sides.

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm expecting major headache for mangers around European games.

      But I think players like Kane & Lukaku will be pretty much nailed. Not so sure about others.

    2. Expected Toulouse
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah i like KDB and Jesus/Aguero. But cannot justify KDB over Alli/Mane due to price and hard to squeeze in Aguero. Right now i have Jesus and gone 3 heavy hitters up top.

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'm using teams outside of Europe to fill in defence that rotate - so yeah, Bournemouth + Saints and WBA + Watford (and to a lesser degree WHM + CPL)

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        However, I really like Sane. I think he'll start and at 8.5 I think he's great value.

    4. LONG LIVE ZOLA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A) Valencia, Bertrand
      B) Walker, Lindelof

      1. Lebowski85
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        For me....A. All day long

        1. LONG LIVE ZOLA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          thanks

  11. Blame It On Rio-ddermorten
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Due to some of the recent articles, I'm considering investing a bit more than before in defense.

    I've tried, however, to find rotation pairings that can do well, and so far I've landed on a "core" of a 3-3-2 formation that gives me the flexibility to use any of the following formations as I see fit: 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-4-3 and 3-5-2.

    The "rotation pool" consists of Daniels, Rangel, Loftus-Cheek, Tom Carroll and Austin.

    Any input appreciated.

    Hart Gomes
    Alonso Trippier Walker (maybe Milner if fit) Daniels Rangel
    Ramsey Alli Willian Loftus-Cheek Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Austin

  12. Y26 Royal
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Are Newcastle likely to sign a new keeper? Torn between having 2x 4.5m rotating keepers or having 4.5 & Elliot

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      That would be a blow for those of us planning to have Elliot as a playing backup.

      1. Y26 Royal
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah i could do with the extra 0.5 tbh!

    2. Waxys
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      They are but Rafa implied in an interview that even that keeper will be number 2 and will hahe to fight for his place against Elliot

      1. Y26 Royal
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Excellent! Thanks

  13. lachrist1
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please:

    Forster (Elliot)

    Daniels, Alderweireld, Bellerin (Dunk, Rangel)

    Alli, Willian, Lallana, Redmond (RLC)

    Kane, Lukaku, Gayle

    0 in the bank

    1. Y26 Royal
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'd go Trippier over Alderweireld. Wouldn't have Lallana

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Lallana is great value IF he can get out of the traps and show some of the form he had before injury. Could be one of the players of the season alongside Coutinho/Salah

  14. Waxys
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Helped make my Boo's team she wanted a top heavy team so I did my best what would you rate it out of ten? don't be too harsh I'll be passing on feedback.

    Hart/Elliot
    Cedric Daniels Simpson Trippier
    Ramsey Willian Coutinho
    Kane Lukaku Aguero

    1. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Gks, Cedric & Simpson are a problem imo.

      Zaha over Ramsey

  15. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Surely they will announce Hernandez today on FPL?

    1. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Danilo too

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        & Mendy?

        1. Speédy
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Ah,forgot about him. 🙂

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully.

      City have a few to add, plus Riedewald for Palace...

    3. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      They should.

  16. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Tomkins nailed ?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No.

      My guess is:
      Ward Dann Riedewald
      as the back 3.

      Delaney and Tomkins may challenge Riedewald...

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Btw I favour Riedewald because he can play DMC and LB too, and is capable of passing and contributing to attacks. De Boer seems to favour total football, where all players contribute to attacking play, and all players help defend. This suits Riedewald.

        Hopefully he's 4.5m.

        1. Limbo
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          And because you said that, he'll be 5m.

          1. Chenku╰☆╮
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            5m for sure.. ward is 5m

          2. Piggs Boson
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            A 20-year old competing with seasoned CBs?!!

            Pfft, he should be 4.0m.

            https://media.giphy.com/media/ebuZ7sDhZcSJO/giphy.gif

        2. The Man Pastore
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          I hope so...

  17. J T
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone know where I can watch the Chelsea Bayern game? Most sources say Chelsea Tv are broadcasting live but on their website it says they're not!?

    http://www.chelseafc.com/videos/chelseatv-live-v3.html

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Premier Sports

      1. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Where do I find this on an iPhone? Any apps? Bt? Sky?

      2. J T
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Just found the app thank you v much!

  18. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A) yoshida and hart
    B) lascelles and forster

  19. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ward- from Palace (going to play RWB with 3 at the back?)
    B) Dawson

  20. Corpszorla
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMT

    Foster / Elliot
    Trippier / Lindelof / Cedric / (Rangel, Hegazi)
    Alli / Coutinho / Sane / Willian / (rlc)
    Lukaku / Austin / Lacazette

    Kind of worried about midfield and my defence

    Any suggestions? Thanks!

  21. LONG LIVE ZOLA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A) Lindelof, Cedric

    B) Bertrand, Dawson

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Bertrand and cedric

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

  22. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    So for the people who joined the H2H draft -

    - Don't forget that it starts in approximately 20 mins.
    - Please share your team name on here - as it would be easier to identify who is who.

    I will start - my team is ~{Milanista10}~

    1. GoRedz
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      i'm la french. can we know the draft order now or do we need to wait another 15 min ?

      1. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        No we will get to know the order as soon as it starts.

        1. GoRedz
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          great i'm last.

  23. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Hennessey nailed on? Any views ? Thanks.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      They should be signing a new goalkeeper with only Speroni as backup. Having only one backup is bad enough, but Speroni is 38.

      They're reportedly after Adrian, who is 4.5m.

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        If Adrian will be signed, is he nailed on then? Or rotation expected ? Thanks for your views

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Oh he'd be nailed on imo. Adrian is a great keeper, and will want 1st team football. Joe Hart seems to be taking that away from him.

          1. Winston.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            So Adrian could be a great pick for the first few gw's if gets signed..with those fixtures. Thanks.

  24. jmcclory123
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is there hot topic on Chicarito yet? What price is he suspected to come in at?

    1. ashtini
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      8m I reckon

    2. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      7.5-8 probably

    3. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      8-9m

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      There won't be one until his price is released.

      8.0m seems the consensus.

    5. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      6.5-7 I'm hoping.

    6. jmcclory123
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      8m is steep. Don't think he's worth that money in a west ham squad.

      1. ashtini
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        5.5 is steep for any West Ham player bar Lanzini, but based on the player 8m is about right.

    7. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      7.5

  25. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A. Coutinho and Benteke or
    B. Zaha and Jesus/Morata ?

    Thanks.

    1. Teror
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I'd go with B simply because of Jesus.

  26. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster Elliot
    Trippier Daniels Cedric Dunk 4.0
    Alli Salah/Sane Willian Phillips TC
    Kane Lukaku Austin

    1 mil itb to sort Austin, Cedric or whatever problem arises. Decently balanced?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Great. But I doubt 6.0 midfielders

    2. RichRover
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I know you said £1m to sort out problems, but what about Phillips to Zaha?

  27. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Danilo PP? 6.5?

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Sorry mendy*

  28. ashtini
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Foster-Myhill
    Bailly-Trippier-Cedric-Yedlin-Rangel
    Eriksen-Salah-Sane-Willian-Ward Prowse
    Lukaku-Morata-Abraham

    I've not changed this in at least 12 hours so happy days!

  29. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Pretty happy with this team, care to rate?

    begovic Eliot
    Bailly Trippier Cedric Mee 4.0
    KDB Eriksen Willian Zaha Phillips
    Kane Jesus 4.5

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      7/10

    2. ooooo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Decent team what formation are you playing?

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        352 with flexibility of 442

  30. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Just saw Hernandez's video for West Ham. He doesn't look that happy.