Typically, a double Gameweek for United would have Fantasy managers clambering to snap up a piece of the action but the league leaders’ recent downturn in form is a cause for concern. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side approach their pair of fixtures on the back of consecutive losses against Chelsea and City and have triumphed just twice in their last six in all competitions, thanks to narrow 1-0 wins over Reading and Sunderland:
The Prospects
First up for United is a trip to Stoke – a side struggling at both ends of the pitch. Tony Pulis’ troops have picked up a single point in the last six and the resilience that made their backline such sure-fire Fantasy assets earlier in the season is long gone, with a single clean sheet accrued from Gameweek 19 onwards. In attack, they’ve been equally poor, scoring just four times in their last eight league matches- a promising sign for United’s defence as they arrive with a record of six clean sheets in the previous seven. Up top, though, Ferguson will be desperate for improvement – the league leaders have scored just once in each of their last three and with the Potters desperately battling the threat of relegation, a battle can be expected.
United then make their way to West Ham the following Wednesday. Sam Allardyce’s side are not yet clear of the threat of relegation but will buoyed by the fact that they have scored in all but one of their 15 Upton Park matches this term – indeed, only seven sides have scored more goals in front of their own support. While the Hammers have two clean sheets in their last four, both have arrived on the road courtesy of backs-to-the-wall performances; their more offensive approach at home has produced a single clean sheet at Upton park since Gameweek 10.
The Likely Lads
Having started each of the last 16 league matches, David De Gea looks a secure options between the sticks. Prior to Monday’s Manchester derby defeat, the Spaniard had registered six back-to-back clean sheets and with Ferguson’s recent rotation policy threatening the game time of many of the back-four, the 5.8 priced De Gea has been the only constant.
United’s congested fixture list saw Patrice Evra rested to the bench but with the club now out of all cup competitions and struggling for form, Ferguson is likely to call on his regulars as he looks to steady the ship. Second only to a certain Dutchman for FPL points at United this season, the 7.3 priced Evra’s four goals and six assists have helped him amass 134 points – 55 more than any midfield team mate.
Rafael hasn’t quite offered the same level of consistency or offensive threat but the Brazilian’s chances of playing both games improved with the news that Chris Smalling missed Monday’s defeat due to an injury. With the former Fulham man still a doubt, Rafael’s owners will be confident of plenty game time over the two matches – he offers a cheaper route into the United defence than Evra, coming in at 6.2 in FPL.
Robin Van Persie’s recent toils have been well documented on these pages. The Dutchman has notched just once in the last eight Gameweeks as his debut season at United stutters towards the finishing line – only 18,000 FPL managers have snapped him up this week, a sign of his malaise if ever there was one. Having scored against both his upcoming opponents earlier this season (for a combined 20 points) a similar contribution from the 37% owned Van Persie would prove significant to our Gameweeks.
A spate of injuries has hit Wayne Rooney hard this term. The former Everton man has started just eight away matches this season, finding the net in four of those fixtures and returning double figures on the road three times. A mere 8% ownership makes Rooney a real differential and with five goals in the last eight to Van Persie’s one, there’s no doubt who United’s form forward is ahead of the double.
Cheeky Punt
For a side that has afforded us such strong midfield options in seasons gone by, United have been hugely underwhelming this time round – Michael Carrick is the top points scorer in the centre of the park with just 79 points so far. Indeed, only once in the entire campaign has a United midfielder produced double figures; Shinji Kagawa in Gameweek 28. The summer signing from Dortmund’s hat-trick and subsequent 21 point return served a reminder of his Fantasy potential and while his acquisition doesn’t come without risk – two starts in four since returning from injury – the upside is obvious for those looking to take a considerable gamble.
