Dugout Discussion – Man United vs Stoke City

Gameweek 23 draws to a close at Old Trafford as Manchester United entertain struggling Stoke City.

Up against a defence that’s conceded more goals on the road than any side, the hosts boast three of the top 11 captains in Fantasy Premier League.

Romelu Lukaku (12.1%) remains the favoured attacker among Jose Mourinho’s contingent despite a run of two goals in the last nine Gameweeks.

Yet as evidenced by his goal and assist off the bench against Derby in the FA Cup, an enforced rest due to a head injury seems to have boosted the Belgian’s prospects.

Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba are also highly fancied, with the former drafted in by a massive 567,000+ FPL managers in time to face the Potters.

Certainly, Lingard is the form player on show tonight, with seven goals and a pair of assists in the last nine Gameweeks. He has, however, recorded points in just one of his last four Premier League matches at home.

Meanwhile, Pogba’s 12-point haul away to Everton last time out – his first double-digit return since Gameweek 12 – hints at a return to form. However, tonight’s teamsheet indicates that the Frenchman will be deployed in a deep-lying role alongside Nemanja Matic, with Ander Herrera dropping to the bench.

Having conceded just five goals at Old Trafford, a ninth home clean sheet looks to be on the cards for David De Gea’s 42% owners tonight.

Up against an attack that have scored just three times in their last five road trips, interest in Phil Jones is on the rise – he was the top transfer target in defence for Gameweek 23, earning over 191,000 new owners.

Mourinho also welcomes back the fit-again Antonio Valencia, who makes his first appearance since Gameweek 18 after recovering from a hamstring problem.

Despite missing the last four matches, he remains the fourth top-scoring defender in FPL thanks to two goals and 11 clean sheets in 18 outings.