Wayne Rooney’s goal is just enough as United dominate but ultimately rely on a contentious refereeing decision to hold off Fulham at Old Trafford. Here’s the notes from last night’s Gameweek climax…
Jonny Evans
The centre-back compounded his “essential” Fantasy status with the assist for United’s winner to add to his clean sheet. Maximum Fantasy Premier League (FPL) bonus is beckoning, giving Evans his second consecutive double figure return as United recorded a third shut-out in as many games. Recent weeks have seen Evans’ price rise to 5.0 but, given that he offers assured starts in the arguably the strongest back four in the league, there can surely be no quibbling over his acquisition.
Wayne Rooney
Replaced after 77 minutes, Rooney nonetheless had already notched 21 goals for the season, with last night’s strike his eighth goal in his last six league starts. That proved enough to justify the Fantasy Premier League captaincy over Robin Van Persie, as the two strikers begin an ongoing head-to-head feud for the Fantasy armband and the Golden Boot for the remainder of the season. By his recent standards, Rooney’s performance was a modest one – the goal being his only effort on target in the game.
Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian went into the match with a vast slab of new FPL ownership, willing him to re-produce the points haul from the Molineux rout. While Valencia had a superb opportunity to seal the victory early in the second half, he emerged with a blank to frustrate his new investors. Despite that, Valencia would seem likely to hold his starting role on the right flank for the trip to Blackburn with his work rate and all-round game clearly in favour with his boss. The recent surge in ownership has seen his FPL tag rocket from 7.5 to 7.9 but, at that price, he still remains excellent value – offering a potentially rich source of attacking points for United’s favourable run-in.
Ashley Young
Young was recalled to the starting lineup with Javier Hernandez, perhaps surprisingly, dropped to the bench to make way. That saw Danny Welbeck tuck in alongside Wayne Rooney in attack. Young had ample opportunities to reward those Fantasy managers who had kept faith with the former Villa man, but saw his best efforts turned away by the athleticism of Mark Schwarzer. Young seems set to compete with Nani – who is expected back in training this week – for the role on the left, with Valencia looking more secure in Ferguson’s lineup on the opposite flank. With his start at Blackburn in question, then, Young’s stock is set to decline as Valencia’s security and price tag has him move in the opposite direction in our Watchlist rankings.
Javier Hernandez
The Mexican watched on from the bench while Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney struggled to break the Fulham resistance, despite firing a brace at Wolves last time out. As a Fantasy investment, Hernandez remains a real rotation risk, with his battle with Welbeck set to continue for the remaining matches. While Evans and Rooney look too strong to resist for two of our the three FPL slots, Hernandez is a luxury option for the third slot – the security and value offered by Valencia again looks set to prove decisive, leaving both Hernandez and Welbeck as likely short-term differentials for the final Gameweeks.
