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. Kered
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Hey all,
    still looking for a few people to join in my FPL draft promotion/relegation league. Check this link for full details!

    http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/15920786

    1. That Fantasy Guy
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I have emailed you. Very keen

  2. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    My first dilemma for the day. Care to help?

    A) KDB + Schlupp
    B) Sane + Any upto 6.5m def.

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B.Cahill

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

        Hmm, just not considered a Che defender oddly enough.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ugh, these choices are getting worse mate. Have a drink and relax.

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

        Haha. What's not good here, Schlupp?

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Not sure KDB offers value v the 9.5's or 9's. Schlupp is surely competing with PvA? Sane looks great but 4ppm? Zaha beats that? 6.5 def's seem a bit rich v some of the 6's or even 5.5's, luxuries?

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

            I'm very happy with my mids. Erik Cout Willian and KDB/Sane. No, the 6.5m def was an upto. Could be anyone lower than that. With KDB it has to be a 5.0m and I'm running out of good ones there. I could double up on Alli/Erik but that'll block me if I have to get Kane since I'm starting without.

            1. Netley Lucas
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              5? Daniels, Cedric, Dawson seem okay?

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

                I have those in mind. Just fishing for alternatives. That Dawson Foster double-up is garbage. May need to look for a different keeper combo or whatever.

    3. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A with another defender

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

        Not many 5.0 defenders around though. Really need Phil Jones to come through.

        1. PvA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          There was an article on this like a day ago, check it out

  3. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Dammit bottomed but I want sympathy

    OFF TOPIC: Dear Agony Aunt,

    The housing agency I am using to rent in the Netherlands from September amended the English translation of a clause that had previously suggested I would be fined 150 euros every time the smoke alarm went off.

    However, they also inserted a tiny clause in the amended contract without telling me, that says I agree to hire a cleaner to clean the common areas once per week. I signed without noticing the change and sent it back.

    Now the agency are refusing to sign the contrat themselves unless I sign a new cleaning contract, which hands respnsibility for cleaning common areas over to them for 30 euros per moneth for each tenant. The will be 5 tenants, which makes 150 euros, and the cleaning contract says they will visit every 2 weeks, so that's nearly 75 euros for the cleaning company per visit. There is no living room, so it only a kitchen and 2 bathrooms (presumably). So I guess that's 75 euros an hour for the agency (I mean cleaning company).

    The contract is 12 months so I've suddenly lost 360 euros that I don't have if I sign. But I already spent a whole year trying to find this place, so I'm more damned if I don't than if I do. It's much like buying Lukaku on FPL.

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Hate the bottom page posts

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I got 50% sympathy on the bottomed post, and I'm not sure if this counts as sympathy or not. I guess I'll call it 50% too!

        1. PvA
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Lol sorry, sounds bad man. Do you read the full contracts?

          Seems like a rare occurrence of setting the fire alarm off, right?

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            I'm pretty furious. They also send me new 'payment instructions', which, contrary to what they told me before, askes me to pay the admin fee in cash! It also has a new bank number because the previous account didn't work.

            OMG so dodgy.

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              Sorry yeah I read the full contract, but not the second time because I thought they just amended 2 English sentences.

              Sure it's rare, but it can happen from cooking, and the contract said I would be charged a ton of money for it, so I asked if they would change it, and they did, plus sneakily insterting a new line that charged me for cleaning!

    2. Swanremainsthesame
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That's a rent increase.
      Hire your own cleaner between you if you can.

      If not pitch your tent on a plank in the canal

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I would prefer to wipe my own bum, thank you very much! 😀

        If all goes wrong, I'll have to go crawling back to the apartment of the crazy old guy I lived with last year. The canal is too much of a party to sleep on, unfortunately!

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

      Surely not legal I would seek advice. They cannot force you to sign a new contract within the term of your old one especially when they have made an amendment they did not notify you of.

      Secondly they are not allowed to dictate to you which cleaning service you make use of. I would simply open my own cleaning business exclusively for the common area, employ myself and job done.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers. Yeah there are so many unprofessional and suspicious things about this agency. The website they advertise on claims that they are legitimate, although there have be scammers using the site before. It could just be that international students are treated like shit in the Netherlands due to the high demand for very little available housing.

  4. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Today pre season games fixtuers?

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      U French bruh?

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        🙁

        1. 32chickens
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Check le pre season section

  5. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Who is most nailed out of these 3?

    Aguero
    Jesus
    Sane

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That could well be the 'front' 3.

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      All 3 are most nailed along eith KDB imo

    3. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Reckon they'll all start but I'd be tempted to say Sane - Pep loves that guy.

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

      Jesus

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Jesus.

  6. Isco Disco
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    What's with the Foster/Eliott pair? Seems like everyone sees something I don't.

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Cheap and cheerful

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      What's not to see. Frees up 500 large 😉

    3. Swanremainsthesame
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      They think JD Sports are too cheap to get another keeper in after (probs) flogging Krul.
      & that Foster is a steal at 4.5, which until Hart takes that from Gw6 or so he is

  7. brianj
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How's my team look?

    Forster (Elliot)
    Luiz / Daniels / Cedric / Trippier (Rangel)
    KDB / Willian / Coutinho (RLC, Sidwell)
    Lacazette / King / Lukaku

    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure King up front or even on pens this year

  8. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A or B?

    A) Kane & Salah/Coutinho (No city cover)

    B) Aguero & Alli (No liverpool cover)

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kane and Coutinho

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

      A with Coutinho

    4. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A.Coutinho

    5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B

    6. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B

      But I like kane and Sane

    7. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      3-3, a split decision! Thanks for the replies

  9. PvA
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    @Timothy

    You are getting the jist of the tactic. Well done, good on you

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

    Please rate out of 10. Team based on helpful comments received on Forum in last few days (Lindelof and Bertrand may become Bailly and Cedric).

    Foster
    Trippier Ake Lindelof Bertrand
    Willian De Bruyne Coutinho
    Lukaku Austin Kane

    Elliot Carroll RLC Dunk

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Like it, maybe downgrade KDB to Sane and upgrade Austin. Wouldn't say he's guaranteed 90mins consistently

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

        Thanks. Choices would be Benteke or Defoe but may be better to stretch to Firmino with Bertrand to Cedric

    2. cheeky_ash
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Like it

    3. socho
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Sounds like everyone's team on here. Solid. Austin is the only risk

    4. Disillusionment
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Lindelof to Maguire and RLC to Milivojevic

  11. socho
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    My dilemma: is Kompany gonna start?

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If fit, yes he will always start. He is their best defender.

    3. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't take much to worry you then

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      You mean if fit? Of course, he's one of the best PL CB's.

    5. ooooo
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Should do

    6. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      When he is fit
      Never much fit

    7. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      yes

  12. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Which one?
    A) bertrand and two 4.0 bench fodders
    B) yoshida and 4.5 & 4 bench fodders.
    Also own cedric

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

      I wouldn't double up personally, B if I had to, two 4.0m defenders is a bad idea

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Why no double?
        They have great fixtures

  13. cheeky_ash
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Been playing around with my team...here is my latest shower...

    Foster (Elliot)
    Tripper Lindelof Cedric Daniels (Rangel)
    Alli Coutinho Zaha (Carroll) (Loftus-cheek)
    Lukaku Jesus Morata

    0 ITB...a few risky picks here and set up as 4-3-3 which isn't my favourite

    1. brianj
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going for this exact formation as well

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Very similar to what i'm thinking, but I prefer a 4.5m rotation over Daniel's and Rangel.

      1. cheeky_ash
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yes good point....

        My thinking is that Daniels and Cedric rotate very well if I want to go 3 at the back...if I downgrade one of the strikers and upgrade a midfielder

    3. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Almost my exact team except for Zaha instead of RLC and Dafoe instead of Morata, and that allows me to go 3-4-3

  14. Where dahoud at
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    How much will hernandez be then???

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I think 8.0, same as Defoe.

      1. Where dahoud at
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Worth that allllllll day long. 20 goals a season

        1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          100%, I am chuffed we have signed him.

          Proven goal scorer in most of the top leagues.... great little player!

    2. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      9 or 9.5

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      If they had .25 increments, 7.75...

  15. dashdriver
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A) Forster Lindelöf Gayle

    or

    B) Foster Daniels Rooney

    1. tristanabc
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A)

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A

  16. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Who's likely to take pens with Milner out? Hendo?

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah exactly haha. Hendo or Couts?
        Or you think Milner is still pretty nailed anyway?

  17. tristanabc
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A or B please?

    A)
    SANCHEZ MANE PHILLIPS Tadic RLC
    MORATA Lukaku Gayle

    B)
    KDB POGBA RAMSEY Tadic RLC
    KANE Lukaku Gayle

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      B, not convinced on morata and he has tough beginning fixtures.

      1. Worsle90
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        A. KDB (and Pogba) might take deeper roles, don't trust Ramsey to get 90mins every game and Sanchez is a proven points machine. Morata won't disappoint, not with that service.

  18. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Kane & Sane or Aguero & Alli/Eriksen is killing me!

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Aguero and eriksen for me!

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Kun and Alli

  19. RoyaleBlue
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I'm seeing a lot of love for Zaha, someone convince me why I should pick him up as my second 7m mid?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Because he is fast.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Seems a solid pick, 3-4-3 reduces his defensive duties.

    3. Swanremainsthesame
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Bcos he is a popular pick. Baaaaaaah.

      1. Swanremainsthesame
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        (well actually bcos they think the new managers tactics will really suit him,)

    4. Skalla
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Good safe pick at 7.0 and should score 150+ again for the season! There is other mids with a higher ceiling if you prefer higher risk for more reward then go for Fab, Willian, Ramsey, Ritchie and try to rotate them in at the right time!

  20. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Phillips or Ramsey?

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ramboss

  21. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone going with no big hitters on D?

    I would say 5.5 and below, nothing 6.0 and above..

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Trip top boy atm, then 5's.

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Two 5.5's, a 5.0 and two 4.5m in rotation.

  22. MoeZe3bi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts/suggestions?
    Foster-Elliot
    Valencia-Trippier-Cedric-Nyom-Mee
    Alli-Sane-Pogba-Willian-LC
    Lacazette-Firmino-Rooney

  23. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Not great picks I know, but, are Herrera and Henderson both nailed?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Those 1st 3 words.

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        As below...
        Looking for 2 mids to pick up right at the end of my draft.
        Carroll is an option. I'm thinking Ince and Groß if I've got the funds. Any other suggestions?
        I just think atleast those 2 are cheap, nailed and Hendo may be back on pens!

    2. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Like you said not great picks
      Nailed or not
      Carroll and zaha?

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Looking for 2 mids to pick up right at the end of my draft.
        Carroll is an option. I'm thinking Ince and Groß if I've got the funds. Any other suggestions?
        I just think atleast those 2 are cheap, nailed and Hendo may be back on pens!

  24. dashdriver
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Would you 4-3-3...

    Foster
    Trippier / Lindelöf / Cèdric / Daniels
    Alli / Coutinho / Willian
    Kane / Lukaku / Benteke

    or 3-4-3...

    Forster
    Trippier / Lindelöf / Cèdric
    Alli / Coutinho / Willian / Phillips
    Kane / Lukaku / Gayle

    ?

    1. Worsle90
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely 4-3-3

      1. dashdriver
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        That would mean a strong bench of Elliot / RLC / Romeu & Hünemeier...

  25. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Why nobody owns hart?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Seen him in some teams. I think he struggles on free-kicks, it's a problem.

    2. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I do.

    3. dashdriver
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Why nobody owns Jack Wilshere?

  26. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Think West Ham will be strong this year!

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Finally a couple of course and distance runners bought

  27. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    2 questions...

    1. Is Kompany the best defender for £6m? - Is it worth the extra £0.5 for Walker for attacking returns?

    2. Am I mad going without Kane and praying Alli will cover his pts?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Avoid citeh Def

      Yes

  28. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    A) Austin + Ramsey
    B) defoe + Capoue (can play 4-3-3, with Capoue benched)

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Please and thank you

      1. Pigeon
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Get rid of Capoue, waste of funds

  29. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Just read Spurs have a young english player called Kyle Walker-Peters who also plays RB, wut?

    1. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Correct

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      That's why they got rid of the other one, two Kyle Walker's would have been confusing.

      1. 32chickens
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Seems logical
        Spurs have form with muliple demele issues?

        1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          Theres so many Dembeles, might be able to create an entire Xi from them soon

  30. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Premium keeper 3-4-3 draft. Good vibes?

    DDG
    Bertrand Trippier Cedric
    KDB Alli Willian Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Austin

    Eliot RLC Simpson Naughton

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      It was good until I saw Carroll as your playing 4th mid, 7/10 for me.

      1. Steevo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Rotating Carroll/RLC/Simpson could work I think. The other option is just to downgrade DDG to Foster, and upgrade Naughton to Monreal/Blind/Lindelof & play 4-3-3.

      2. Hanked
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Even good teams will have a significant compromise in one position.

        How would you improve it?

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Doesn't seem viable to have RLC and Carroll.

      Risky

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      basically a 433, not bad

    4. Hanked
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Looks great