Wayne Rooney scores twice, while Robin Van Persie is also in the goals as United see off Bayer Leverkusen in David Moyes’ first European match in charge. Vincent Kompany is back for City ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby, Olivier Giroud returns to training for Arsenal and Bryan Ruiz is sidelined with an ankle strain for Fulham.
Rooney Bags a Brace
Wayne Rooney picked up from where he left off against Palace at the weekend by bagging a brace in United’s 4-2 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen. Partnering Robin Van Persie once again, Rooney also provided an assist before being withdrawn on 84 minutes. Not surprisingly, Rooney’s impact upon his return from a head wound was hailed by Moyes post-match:
“You’ll talk about his goals but his pass for Antonio’s goal as well and he could’ve made it 2-0 after rounding the goalkeeper and they come up the pitch and make it 1-1. I thought he played really well. I think he looks like he is moving as well as he has done. He is in a good place himself at the moment and obviously any centre-forward who is scoring goals feels good about himself. wanted to get him back in a really good condition and mentally ready correct when he was ready to play.”
Moyes also discussed the display of Antonio Valencia on the United right. Much of the pre-game headlines surrounded Shinji Kagawa’s installation on the opposite flank but it was the Ecuadorian who caught the eye with a goal and assist contribution:
“We knew that if we could get Antonio Valencia plenty of the ball then he’d be able to deliver the crosses. He did do and ran the full-back a couple of times in the first half. It was his goal I was pleased with, he’s got a great strike on him with that right-foot and it was great to show that. I’ve said to him that he should score more goals.”
The Scout Says: Rooney’s rampant form continues to stir up the debate concerning coverage of United’s forwards this term. With three goals in two games and confidence flowing, it’s clear that Moyes is doing all he can to ensure his former Everton charge will be every bit as vital to the Red Devils’ cause as Van Persie this time around after the Dutchman left Rooney in the shadows last season. The kind upcoming schedule, allied with the fact that Rooney is far more budget friendly in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) AT 10.5 to 14.0 and has an ownership of just 2% makes him a tempting differential over the next few Gameweeks. In midfield, Valencia’s contribution is also worth monitoring. The winger has started four of United’s five games now this term and certainly seems to have his manager’s faith – priced kindly across the Fantasy games (7.5 in FPL) he could well prove a decent purchase if he continues to keep Nani on the bench.
Kompany Back for City
City also registered a comfortable win ahead of the weekend Manchester derby. While Sergio Aguero hogged the headlines with a goal and assist in the 3-0 win triumph at Viktoria Plzen, Manuel Pellegrini’s side were, significantly, boosted by the return of Vincent Kompany – the City skipper recovered from the groin injury that forced him off in Gameweek 1 and looks fully fit once again, according
“It was good to have Vincent Kompany back because he worked very hard this last few days and I had some doubts during the last ten minutes. I thought about taking him off to rest his legs, but I saw he was playing without a problem, so he will be fine for Sunday.”
The Scout Says: The Belgian’s comeback is undoubtedly a huge boost as City prepare for the visit of United next Sunday. While Pellegrini’s side have registered three clean sheets in four domestically, the three goals conceded in their Gameweek 2 defeat at Cardiff highlighted their captain’s loss – he is now down to 6.3 in FPL after significant sales. While Saturday’s lineup at Stoke highlighted the rotation we can expect under the Chilean, it was perhaps telling that he named Matija Nastasic alongside his skipper for his first Champions League match in charge; a sign that the youngster remains ahead of the likes of Joleon Lescott in the central defensive pecking order. Pellegrini’s decision to start with Aguero and Edin Dzeko for last night’s tie could also be significant. The City teamsheet for Sunday’s Manchester derby will be of huge interest as Fantasy managers attempt to decipher the pecking order in attack. While Aguero would seem a certain starter, it remains to be seen if Dzeko’s cooly taken opener will be enough to see him retain his start ahead of Alvaro Negredo against United.
Gibson Nears Toffees Return
Roberto Martinez rolled out an early injury update yesterday afternoon. The Toffees boss expects Arouna Kone to be available for the trip to West Ham, though Antolin Alcaraz is “still recovering” from a groin operation over the summer. Elsewhere, Martinez admitted Darron Gibson is edging towards a first-team comeback, while Steven Pienaar is likely to make a quick comeback from the injury that forced him out of the weekend win over Chelsea:
“We need Darron fit. Darron is a special player and he brings something different to the side. He is progressing really well. I would say that from a medical point of view, he is very close to being fit. Now it’s the match fitness he needs to get. That could take a bit of time and we need to adapt to how the knee reacts to work. But we are really happy to see him ready and really close to being able to be involved and be in the squad…With Stevie (Pienaar), we need to assess him week to week. When you get the sort of soft tissue injury he has, you never really know. I do feel that Stevie will react well to treatment. He is a very fit boy and I do feel that he will probably be back quicker than anyone expects.”
The Scout Says: While Steven Naismith (a 4.8 FPL forward) should get another chance to impress on the right of the front three, Martinez’ praise of Gibson will be a little worrying for Ross Barkley owners. As of yet, it’s not yet certain just where Barkley stands in the central midfield pecking order – but judging by his manager’s words, Gibson could well be handed a starting berth when fit again. With Gareth Barry looking nailed-on, Barkley may face real competition to hold onto the advanced central position, with big-money signing James McCarthy and Leon Osman also in the mix, Barkley’s security of starts still remain in question in spite of a string of impressive displays.
Giroud Back In Training
Olivier Giroud looks to have recovered from the knee problem that forced him off at Sunderland last Saturday. The Frenchman has been named in the Arsenal squad for this evening’s showdown with Marseille and was pictured in training in a series of stills published on the Gunners’ website – a huge boost for Arsene Wenger ahead of a kind domestic schedule.
The in-form forward spoke to the press yesterday and offered an explanation for his recent goalscoring exploits:
“I’m really happy with our start to the season and mine in particular. I had a full pre-season, which wasn’t the case last season when I had more pressure as well. I’m in form and I haven’t missed any training sessions, so touch wood that it continues. I eased into the season with some goals in pre-season and it has carried on. It goes hand in hand with the team’s form at the moment.”
The Scout Says: Giroud’s recovery will be a welcome relief for the huge numbers of Fantasy managers who have drafted him in over the last few weeks. With goals in each of his first four league matches, he’s already risen 0.5 in price in FPL and with Mesut Ozil on board to tee up the chances, his appeal looks even greater ahead of a run of games which pits him against just two of last term’s top six in the next 11 Gameweeks. Having also picked up an assist and nine bonus points, Giroud leads the way in FPL with 36 points to his name – seven more than Daniel Sturridge, despite the latter also notching in each of his four appearances; a clear indication of the Frenchman’s form as the bandwagon keeps on rolling.
Ruiz Out with Ankle Problem
Fulham have revealed Bryan Ruiz is set to be sidelined with the ankle strain that forced him off during the weekend draw with West Brom. The club rolled out an injury update yesterday and confirmed:
“He underwent an MRI scan on Monday which confirmed that it is an isolated ligament strain, with no clear fracture. The early signs suggest that the injury is better than first feared, although a recovery time cannot be estimated until the swelling has reduced.”
The Scout Says: Having played the last couple of games on the Cottagers’ right, Ruiz’ absence is likely to be good news for Damien Duff’s chances of a return for this weekend’s derby trip to Chelsea. With Darren Bent still struggling to overcome a hamstring injury, Jol’s options up top are somewhat limited right now and should allow Dimitar Berbatov to lead the line once again, while Pajtim Kasami’s chances of retaining the role in “the hole” behind the Bulgarian are likely to be bolstered should Bent remain on the sidelines along with Ruiz. Kasami is classified as a midfielder in the FPL, having risen to 4.6 following his winning strike in the season opener at Sunderland.
Fonte Hails Lovren Impact
Southampton centre-half Jose Fontereckons the displays of new boy Dejan Lovren have been critical to his side’s upturn in resilience this term. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have conceded two goals so far – compared to 16 at the same point in 2012/13 – and Fonte has no doubt the Croatian’s class has been a major influence at the back.
“He’s a great player first of all, and when you have a great player next to you it’s easier to play. I feel confident with him, we understand each other well. It’s always going to get better, because we’re still getting to know each other, but from the first moment I had a good understanding with him. I know more or less what he’s going to do in each situation, and he knows what I’m going to do, so at the moment we’re in a very good place and I hope this partnership keeps developing and improving.”
Fonte’s wish for further game time alongside Lovren certainly seems to have been granted. Speaking to the press yesterday, Pochettino explained the reasoning behind his decision to omit Maya Yoshida from recent matches, with the Japan star failing to even make the bench in Sunday’s draw against West Ham:
“We have four centre-halves, we have four defenders, it is also clear that Maya was the last one that arrived during the pre-season. He had a really tough pre-season, especially at the beginning. Nonetheless, there is four central defenders and only two can play so I have to make those decisions. At the moment, Lovren and Fonte are playing, so that’s basically it. It doesn’t have to be that there is a problem with Maya, there is no problem with Maya Yoshida.”
The Scout Says: While much of the pre-season expectations surrounded Nathaniel Clyne and Luke Shaw, it’s Fonte who has so far proven to be the Saints’ most impressive Fantasy performer. Playing every minute alongside Lovren, he has not only grabbed a goal but has benefitted considerably from the new Bonus Points System (BPS) and picked up six bonus points so far, receiving the maximum in each of his two home fixtures. Priced at 4.7 in FPL, he looks on course to continue producing – Palace, Swansea, Fulham and Hull all roll up to St Mary’s over the next seven Gameweeks.
Reid Allays Injury Fears
West Ham’s chances of further defensive returns this weekend look set to be boosted after Winston Reid revealed that his withdrawal against Southampton last Sunday was purely down to cramp.
The Scout Says: Concerns were initially raised over the Hammers centre-half’s availability after he failed to finish the St Mary’s match but Reid’s assurances indicate he is set to continue alongside James Collins in the heart of the back-four against Everton. Given that Sam Allardyce’s side have conceded just once this term and the Toffees have registered a single strike in their last three matches, a home clean sheet looks on the cards once again – Reid and co also have a trip to Hull on the horizon before the schedule take a turn for the worse in Gameweek 7.
Okore out for Season
Villa were dealt a real blow in defence after Jores Okore was ruled out for nine months with a knee injury. The centre-half was forced off with against Newcastle at the weekend and subsequent scans have revealed he has sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage.
The Scout Says: Okore seemed to have cemented a place alongside Ron Vlaar at the heart of Paul Lambert’s back-four on recent matches and his absence opens the door for a cut-price contender to take his place. Granted, Villa have been anything but resilient at the back so far and have conceded in every game but Nathan Baker, at just 3.9 in FPL, now looks favourite to nail down a regular role and hand us a handy cut-price defensive option.
