Dugout Discussion

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.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

5,281 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Not watching the game as am preparing to go to work where I live.

    Is Stoke City looking any threatening/ attacking in the game?

    1. Licious Lizard (delete acc)
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Yes in first half they had 2-3 decent chances.
        Not in second

      • Goalosaurus
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        not sure as not seen much myself but DDG has got 3 saves to his name

    2. Sif
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Mata's rival captained Lingard

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      TrollKaku looking for a fight

    4. A Team Of James McCleans
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Why is it when Pogba plays a lateral pass they score a screamer but when lingard sets someone up they can’t finish

      1. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Pogba's a jammy sod, that's why

      2. Celt Abroad
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        This.

      3. dark91
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        It is all down to their choices
        Lingard picks Mata while Pogba chose Valencia and Martial

      4. Football Heaven
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I have him but on wc and want Mahrez in. A. Mahrez and chilwell b. Pogba and Wilson

    5. Darth_Krid
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      That’s three assists now, Mata! Must have sold Lingard.

    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      surman to gundogan with my FT, leaving 0.7ITB???

    7. Celt Abroad
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      What is mata playing at? Clearly he did not get aboard the Lingard wagon.

    8. Costa in Wengerland
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku YC

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

      Mata public enemy no. 1 tonight

    10. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku yellow.

    11. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku ... 1 pt

    12. Ser Bronn of The Blackwater
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      MATA?????!!!!!! RUINED LINGARD'S 2 ASSISTS AND 1 GOAL!!

    13. Goalosaurus
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Top 10k average for today was 3.2 before 60 mins and 9.1 points afterwards.

      No man u defence keeps causing a big dent in my gameweek rank, only myself to blame

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

        Same:(

    14. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Lukaku doing his best to match Morata

    15. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Lingard assist imminent

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        More Mata misses to come

    16. Cocky Spaniel Alves
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Stephen Ireland is playing for Stoke? Really?

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

        Been there for years

        1. Cocky Spaniel Alves
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly. Like 25 years.

      2. MTPockets
          6 years, 2 months ago

          timewarp

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

          2013-14

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

        Lukaku hahaha

      4. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Mane, how could you miss that?!?!? Got to score from there 🙁

      5. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Bloody YC. I needed 3 points from Lingard to win my FPL cup game. A 2 pointer will win on fewer goals conceded as long as United don't concede. Now I'm biting my nails.

        1. Ibracadabra
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          good luck... Mata really disappointed Lingard owners tonight...

        2. Sif
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          I can here the squeaking from here.

        3. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          *Should* be okay. Deserved the YC for persistent fouling, but there was an alleged foul early in the second that shouldn't have been!!!

        4. LǝgleSs e|even
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Hope youre not Vegan

        5. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          it's 93 v 93. Ridiculous

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

          Not over yet still loads of time for Lingard to get points from this.

          1. Ibracadabra
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Will be substituted before 85 in my opinion, on a yellow, Mourinho has options on bench.

      6. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Poor Optimus. :*(

        1. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          😆

          Deserved

      7. Ambrosiana Inter
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cmon give rashford to the crowd

        1. Podge
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          No one cares but you

        2. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Ok

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

          But you still bought Lingard

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

        Lingard with a catalogue of near-assists. Cue much shouting at the TV from me... 🙄

      9. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        surman to gundogan with my FT, leaving 0.7ITB????

      10. drughi
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Ireland must have lingard in his fpl team

        1. Costa in Wengerland
          • 12 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Hahahah

      11. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Worth it to do Ota and Zanka out for Jones and Stones for a hit? Exact funds to do so.

      12. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Imagine bringing in Lukaku for this game...

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

          Considered a hit for it including selling Arnie

        2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          For a hit

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

          And would've made C instead of Kane

        4. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Someone on here TC'd him. He must be feeling shit!

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

            Oh yeah that guy. Trying to justify it instead of saving for DGW

      13. Costa in Wengerland
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Sobhi idiot

      14. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Captained Kane and I would have been looking at a tonne. RIP

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          my heart bleeds for you

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

        Crouchino off
        Diouf on