Van Persie hits the target. Rooney benched and then crocked. Michu delivers again. Saturday brought another slab of drama with plenty of Fantasy ramifications. Here’s the early stock check…
On the Up
Michu
Did he really need a boost? After a huge amount of Fantasy investment this week, the Spaniard stepped up again to leave James Collins red-faced. Further investment will follow – on this form and with Swansea’s fixtures, it’s hard to argue.
Danny Graham
Backed in the Differential this week, the former Watford marksman stepped up and got his goal. He missed further chances but, for now, he’ll surely retain his start and promise further budget returns in the obliging fixtures to come.
Angel Rangel
We backed the Spaniard in the Scout Picks and he delivered a goal and clean sheet – bonus will surely follow. With Chico an injury doubt before today’s game, Rangel took his spot at the top of our Watchlist. Today’s returns will likely keep him there.
The Swansea Widemen
They delivered again – assists for both Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge kept them bubbling as budget options for those without the cash for Michu.
Robin Van Persie
It took just ten minutes. Van Persie has arrived at United and in our Fantasy seasons. It may only have been a single goal but with Wayne Rooney on the bench, there’s little doubt that Van Persie will be fetching big investment in the next seven days. Is the Dutchman the most potent and secure attacking asset in a United lineup that will have to score plenty of goals to win matches? It looks that way on today’s evidence.
Shinji Kagawa
His first goal in a United shirt capped another pleasing display. Subbed on 68 minutes though – we have to wonder just how Kagawa will be involved in United’s attacking rotation merry-go-round.
Rafael
Back in the lineup following his Olympic exploits, the Brazilian may have suffered from United’s defensive lapses but he demonstrated his attacking prowess and, as the cheapest option in Sir Alex Ferguson’s back four, could tempt interest for those still backing the United defence.
Marouanne Fellaini
Two goals in two games. Surely David Moyes will keep the hatstand midfielder in the support striker role, despite experimenting with Steven Naismith today. Everton’s form and improving fixtures would suggest that the big Belgian can carry on delivering strong value in the mid-price.
Steven Pienaar
Yet another mid-price midfield option – Pienaar was magnificent in Everton’s win, running the game in the Toffee’s engine room and putting them ahead with a stunning strike.
Leighton Baines
A second bonus haul in consecutive matches, Baines put in another supremely creative showing from left-back and has already made his claim as the leading Fantasy defender this term. Everton’s flourishing form and the strikerate of Felliani and Nikica Jelavic can only aid his cause.
Going Down
Wayne Rooney
While we were pondering whether Van Persie would start, we never dreamt that Rooney would make way. Relegated to the bench, he saw action with a quarter of the match left but that won’t be enough for his owners who will now surely be looking to Van Persie as not only the more potent option, but also the most secure. The late cut to his knee may only compound matters – the early prognosis is reportedly a four-week absence.
Sir Alex Ferguson
The United boss not only shocked us by shelving Rooney, he also announced yesterday that Jonny Evans had suffered a setback with his injury, only to name him on the bench today. Clearly Ferguson is playing the trickster – expect it to continue as he teases and taunts with the rotation options in his squad.
The United Defence
Fragile. Three goals conceded in two matches, those who have invested in the most secure options within Ferguson’s defence will now be counting the cost of the big outlay and pondering the zero returns so far.
Adel Taarabt
The big attacking threat in the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of the Swans, the Moroccan was the scapegoat and relegated to the bench at Norwich to make way for Bobby Zamora. With so many strong mid-price midfield options, his owners can barely risk future rotation.
Grant Holt
Subbed again for the second consecutive match. Having been rotated constantly by Paul Lambert, the Norwich skipper appears to be on shaky ground again. He needs a goal or two and quickly.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
The Icelander started life on the bench, swapping with Rafael Van der Vaart. It’s clear we’ve got rotation concerns here and, at Sigurdsson’s price, we surely can’t live with that for long, despite his assist today.
Gareth Bale
It’s ridiculous to lose patience so quickly but Tottenham’s inauspicious start will be a concern. With so many mid-price options in midfield flourishing, Bale owners will already be getting twitchy.
Aston Villa
Bad form, rotation from Paul Lambert in midfield areas – it’s not looking good for those who invested as a result of their kind start to the season.
Zoltan Gera
The hero last weekend, the Hungarian immediately dropped to the West Brom bench for the visit to Spurs as Steve Clarke started with the returning Graham Dorrans. Marc-Antoine Fortune also started in a front three, with Peter Odemwingie nursing a minor injury sustained in training.
Frank Lampard
We perhaps expected Ramires and Lampard to be the more secure options in the Chelsea midfield and yet, from this evening’s team sheet from Roberto Di Matteo, it doesn’t look that way. Lampard dropped to the bench to make way for Raul Meireles while Ramires also missed out as Ryan Bertrand got another midfield start.
