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. Isco Disco
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Arnautovic expected to be on pens and free kicks for West Ham?

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Doubt it.

      Noble or Lanzini

      1. 32chickens
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Suddenly hammers is another team of uncertainty

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

      Nobody takes pens off noble.

  2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    I wonder what formation Ville Ronka will go with?

    http://i.imgur.com/0d9IMHP.jpg?1

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      532 I've heard

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

      Bet he won't follow the fad of 4/5 at the back

    3. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      3-4-3 standard

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I would say you are right he won't take any undue risks

  3. leocarter27
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Best 2 4.5m defenders?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who are your best 2?

      1. leocarter27
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Mee and ? Haha

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

      Mee & Dunk seem to be popular here.

    3. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Dunk and Lascelles for me

    4. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yedlin and francis.

      Maybe naughton

  4. Worsle90
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT, if you please:

    Foster
    Cedric, Lindelof, Trippier
    Willian, Alli, Coutinho, Sane
    Lukaku, Benteke, Defoe

    Subs: Elliot, Carroll, Zabaleta, Mee

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

      Bad name

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

      I think I'd be concerned only having one of the big hitting forwards.

    3. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lindelof risky now

  5. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Genuinely can't wait until the season starts now and the headache cools down.

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

      More like the headaches start

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

    First and last RMT of the season.

    Forster (Elliot)

    Dawson - Trippier - Alonso. (4.0 - 4.0)
    Alli - Puncheon - Coutinho - Mkhitaryan (4.5)
    Kane - Abraham - Aguero

    Sexy?

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

      Abraham and Puncheon ? Go again

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

    Pick 2:

    A) Ramsey
    B) Phillips
    C) Willian

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

      Just C, I wouldn't look at A or B. Maybe A.

    2. woodca04
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A & C

    3. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I only like Willian

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A
      C

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

      I'd prefer one and a premier defender.

  8. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    came up with my team name today, Sane in the membrane 😀

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      2 Girls 1 Schlupp

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

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

      AC MeRollin

      1. Sterling is £11Mill..…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thats good that, subtle but good Char Millionaire 😀

  9. Mavric Marco
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Presuming Sanchez starts the season with Arsenal:

    A - Lacazette, Coutinho & Lindelof
    or
    B - Firmino, Sanchez & Francis

    1. woodca04
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      A

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

      A

    4. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers that's what I'm on atm

  10. woodca04
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Absolutely final. Finished. Locked in! Opinions please gentlemen

    De Gea

    Trippier Alonso Simpson Cedric

    Eriksen Sane William Tadic

    Lukaku Kane

    (Elliot RLC Hunnemeier Fletcher)

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

      Downgrade ddg and upgrade tadic?

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

        I don't think Tadić is the one that has to be upgraded.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      You have a full bench of potential non-starters.

    3. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Keep on working...
      From the top
      Fletcher- are you serious?
      Rlc- great player but a nailed cheap 5th?
      Simpson- not that cracking and soon to be eclipsed by chilwell

    4. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Simpson is awful 🙂

  11. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Best pick?

    A - Arnautovic
    B - Pogba/Martial
    C - Bernardo Silva

    Can't afford sane and own Willian

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

      B Pogba

    2. woodca04
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think A short term. I think C is a great pick but may not be nailed on especially early in the season

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

      B pogba

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

    @TM

    Yes, 2nd team, but both have the same team

    I don't want to link my original for privacy pal

    Hopefully this will be easier to track the ownership tactic's progression and add some weight to the words

  13. A19
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A) KDB, Kane, Austin

    Or

    B) Alli, Aguero, Defoe

    The other striker is Lukaku

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

      A

    2. woodca04
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

    A 433
    Foster Elliot
    Trippier Lindelof Monreal Cedric Mee
    Kdb Coutinho Willian Carroll Rlc
    Kane Kaku Austin

    B 343
    Foster Elliot
    Daniels* Mawson* Rangel* Cedric Mee
    Kdb Coutinho Willian Carroll Ramsey*
    Kane Kaku Austin

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

      A.

    2. A19
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

      Wow, I have almost the same team, mate. Only difference is I went Daniels over Lindelof, and Kolasinac over Monreal.

  15. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sorry for the RP:

    Any thoughts on this:

    Forster (Elliot)
    Trippier, Lindelof, Cedric (Francis, Hunemeier)
    Alli, Sane, Willian, Tadic (RLC)
    Kane, Lukaku, Gayle

    Cheers!

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Tidy, decent balance I like it. All popular picks

  16. the snazzy viking
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Was experimenting earlier and I found the perfect team if 3-5-3 was a formation:

    Foster (Elliot)
    Lindelof, Cedric, Daniels (Dunk, Hunemeier)
    Willian, Sane, Ince, Coutinho, Zaha
    Rodriguez, Lukaku, Kane

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

      12 players??

      1. the snazzy viking
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        yup

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

      Decent AOA team, shame it's not longer a chip.

  17. TripHazard
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any comments on this?

    Myhill (Foster)
    Trippier, Cedric, Bertrand (yedlin, long)
    Sane, Salah, Willian, Phillips (Carroll)
    Lukaku, Kane, Benteke

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

      I like it, switch the keepers though?

      Also, keep an eye on Cedric this pre-season

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

        Why switch the keepers?

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

        Not sure what is best regarding keepers. For Myhill to come on Foster needs to be injured or red carded. If its a red card, there might be a penalty to follow for Myhill to have a chance at saving.

        Of course if Foster is injured in the 62.nd minute and comes off with the CS we want him as the starter. Early injury and we want Myhill.

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

          Just on probability, I think Myhill starting makes most sense. Far less likely that any injury will occur after 60 mins whilst on a clean sheet than any other scenario. Plus it protects against the red card as you say with potential penalty save.

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

    Is Ake vs Daniels basically a choice of BAP magnet vs an assist / goal chance?

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

      ake scores goals/assists too.

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

      Goal chance = BAPs too you know

  19. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Chicarito for anything up to 7m will be straight in

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

      dont think he will be 7m or lesser.

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

        my guess is 9m.. but most think 8m.

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

          9m - I really doubt it. If he's more than Defoe I'd be surprised

    2. @chapellefpl OR 577TH
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      8m I predict

    3. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      7.5m minimum

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

      He would be in virtually everyone's team at that price.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        7.5m feels right

    5. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      7.5M I reckon

  20. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    What are peoples views on having more than One team?
    Many here seem to have several. One serious team and another for trying out fun stuff like 5 at the back, or a no player over 10M team

    Any harm in it?

    1. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Aye, makes you a cheat

    2. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would if I could be bothered to register another email, which I cant. But if I did I would just set it and forget lol and hope for no injuries and go back at the end of the season to see its like top 1K. 😀

    3. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pure scum 😛

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

      I have 2 now reluctantly. But, they're the exact same team. The reasoning behind it is to put a link up on here without privacy concerns. Now at least people can see my progress with the infamous Ownership Tactic.

    5. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Possibly an unneeded distraction from the main competitive team, and the possible desire to ensure both have completely different players.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I only ever have 1 but I'm shit with one let alone more

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

          Lol

        2. GREENDREAMS11
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          ha ha

    6. GREENDREAMS11
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Cannae believe you are even asking that Trigg

    7. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't start this again.

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Has it been done already?

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You know it has. And that's why it's pointless.

          1. Twelve years a slave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            How do you know what I know? Had no idea there had already been a discussion on i

    8. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think so.

      Having multiple teams just for the sake of it is a bit meh but I have no problem at all with novelty teams if they want to do that and pitch it against each other. I suppose it can be done in the draft game now though instead can't it?

      In fact that may be a good idea....would it work?

      I just have the one btw...

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

      I can only stop people having 2 teams in my mini league. If they want another one outside of it I don't really care. If you're hedging your bets between two teams it's a bit of a cop-out but I think in the long run you just end up weakening both.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Agreed I play against my son and my brother and that's as far as I go. No need for any other team.

    10. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would like to try a second team with 5 at the back.

      Very curious to see how it would do and I don't have the minerals to do it with my team.

    11. Disillusionment
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Defeats purpose of the game.

    12. 32chickens
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yes
      It's taking the ssip

    13. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Just one team for me. If you had more than one team, then there's still no guarantees that you'll always make the correct transfer with one team.

  21. BLANKET DEFENCE
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance Mendy could be 6 mil

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think that's exactly what he'll be 🙂

  22. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    1) Puncheon or Milivojevic
    and
    2) Best 4.5m Midfielder except T. Carroll?

    1. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Puncheon & RLC (if he nails down a starting place)

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers!

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

      Mili

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Part of me is saying Mili cos of the pens, and is he perhaps more nailed? Albeit as a DM

  23. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Which draft looks the strongest?

    A) DDG / Trippier Daniels Bertie / Willian Redmond KDB Zaha / Kane Gayle Lukaku (Elliot Lowe Carroll Dunk) 343

    B) FOSTER / CEDRIC LINDELOF AKE / Zaha SANE RAMSEY COUTINHO Willian / Kane Lukaku (Myhill Dunk Lascelles Fletcher) 352

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B, has more capitals.

      In all seriousness I prefer A cos you have 3rd striker to play if needed

  24. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts?

    Foster
    Trippier / Yoshida / Daniels / Martina
    Alli / Coutinho / Sane / Willian
    Kane / Lukaku

    Elliot / Lascelles / Carroll / McBurnie

    0itb

    GW1.....

    BOU
    wba / new / STK / SWA
    new / wat / BUR / BHA
    WHU / new

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

      Why 442?

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

      8 players the same as me

      I changed to 3-5-2 though

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Yoshida to Cedric and you're beautiful

    4. FotnikPL
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Martina? Probably not nailed and couple of tricky fixtures after GW1

  25. frenchfries
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    First draw, what would you change?

    Foster Elliot
    Luiz Trippier Cedric Hünemeier Rangel
    Coutinho Alli Fabregas Sane TCarrol
    Lukaku Jesus Austin

  26. DrunkPhilosophy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Ramsey or Zaha for that second 7.0, already have Willian.

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Zaha for me.

    2. Mavric Marco
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Zaha

    3. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ramsey

    4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Z

  27. Sterling is £11Mill..…
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    my sixth season, I reckon its going to be the season I break through the top 1million

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Never finished on top million seriously?

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

      If you log on even every other week you should easily be in the top 1m

      What have you been doing?

    3. Sterling is £11Mill..…
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      im only joking but way too far off top 10k considering how much time I spend on it

      1. GREENDREAMS11
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        same here, about 100 - 140 k here

  28. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    It's a 5-3-2, but considering we normally WC early, could it work? Then, I can buy the bargains

    Foster / (Myhill)
    David Luiz / Kompany / Monreal / Trippier / Cedric /
    KDB / Coutinho / Willian / (Chalobah / Carroll)
    Kane / Lukaku / (Quaner)

  29. leocarter27
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is Francis nailed on?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He's the captain so I think he's first choice if he's fit

      1. 32chickens
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        If

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He's Bournemouth's captain, so should be. Great pick, I reckon.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No, ASmith is younger, can do the up & down thing better these days, but Francis is a better defender.

    4. FFPro
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Personally I think he is the weak link in their defence and very error prone.

      He should lose his place if they play 4 defs - Daniels Ake Cook Smith

  30. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Kaneless team:

    Foster
    Lindelof Trippier Cedric Alonso
    Eriksen Willian Ramsey Coutinho
    Lukaku Aguero

    Elliot

    1. Magic Bean
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Lindelof not looking a great option anymore

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Because he gave away a pen?
        He will be in utds starting 11 and they have an easy run of fixtures at the start.

        1. Magic Bean
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Hasn't played well at all in any of the games. No guarantees that "He will be in utds 11". Just my view

        2. Mavric Marco
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Finally, someone talking sense regarding Lindelof

        3. Disillusionment
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          No he won't 😆

          1. @fpl_phenom
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            You actually think Jose is going to sign a £30M defender and bench him? No chance IMO

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

        Wasn't a great option anyway

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Elliot quanar Carroll Hunemeier