Scout Scribbles – Rooney at the Double

Wayne Rooney notches twice as England get the better of Scotland. Danny Welbeck and Luke Shaw are both withdrawn due to injury. Angel di Maria undergoes ankle x-rays after Argentina’s loss to Portugal, Dusan Tadic misses out for Serbia, whilst Daniel Sturridge suffers another training ground setback for Liverpool.

Rooney Rampant for Three Lions

Wayne Rooney grabbed a brace in England’s 3-1 victory over Scotland in their Parkhead ‘friendly’ last night, adding to his strike against Slovenia at the weekend.

The Scout Says: England’s two recent international displays have allowed Rooney to demonstrate exactly what he is capable of when fielded in a more advanced position. Unfortunately for Fantasy managers, United boss Louis Van Gaal seems determined to utilise him in a deeper role domestically – the forward has managed just one shot in the box in his last two appearances since returning from suspension, in comparison to team-mate Robin Van Persie’s six. It’s certainly hard to see Rooney flourish as long as United stick with a lone striker system, though with Radamel Falcao rumoured to be ready to return for this Saturday’s clash with Arsenal, we may well be treated to yet another tactical reshuffle from Van Gaal if he is to accommodate all three of his star strikers in the first XI.

DI MARIA A DOUBT FOR UNITED

The United winger sustained a minor foot injury during Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Portugal in Manchester yesterday evening. Di Maria played on after being on the receiving end of a wild challenge from Nani but was hooked off on the hour mark – Argentina manager Gerardo Martino confirmed post-match that the winger is being monitored:

“We don’t think it’s anything serious. It was quite a tough blow he took. It was a tough knock. It cut the skin a bit. But we have had a look and are evaluating the situation. We are looking at some x-rays, some images we took, but in spite of that we do not think it’s too serious.”

The Scout Says: Despite Di Maria’s recent decline in returns, he has still scored or assisted four of United’s last six goals over their last five matches, and his absence could prove a serious setback for Van Gaal on Saturday evening. In fact, it may well be this news that prompts the Dutchman to change his system for the trip to north London – with Falcao fit we may see a return to the midfield diamond employed in the early stages of the season if Van Gaal decides attack in the best form of defence. Given the number of options in the final third, the door could even be open for Juan Mata to claim a starting role on the flank after his goal scoring display from the bench last time out, though Van Gaal has seemed unconvinced over the Spaniard’s effectiveness from a central position, never mind out wide.

Mixed News on United Backline

Central defensive pairing Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are now expected to be fit to face Arsenal this weekend, according to reports, though Luke Shaw was subbed off with a hamstring problem for England. Post-match, the left back confirmed he is in a race to be fit for the Gunners encounter:

“I picked up a few knocks during the game and my left hamstring, which I hurt at the start of the season, I could feel a little bit. We had a discussion at half-time over whether to bring me off then but it was a game I didn’t want to come off in so I played the extra 15 minutes and then Roy decided to sub me off….We will just have to see (whether he’s available for weekend) but I am hoping to be fit.”

The Scout Says: With Chris Smalling also back from suspension in Gameweek 12, Van Gaal could have numerous options in the heart of United’s defence if Jones and Evans are passed fit. Despite a nine-point haul last time out, Patrick McNair’s chances of retaining a starting berth now look slim, though should Shaw miss out, Van Gaal could be forced to go with three at the back, given that Marcos Rojo is also unavailable to cover at left-back. Alexis Sanchez and co. will still be licking their lips ahead of the Saturday evening encounter, as the Red Devils’ defensive concerns have shown little sign of abating in recent weeks, and another reshuffle in personnel or tactics is only likely to emphasise those frailties further.

WELBECK WORRY FOR WENGER

Danny Welbeck was also brought off injured for England last night with a similar hamstring concern to Shaw. Post-match, Roy Hodgson confirmed Welbeck’s withdrawal was due to stiffness in the muscle and the forward is still expected to be available to face his former club United this weekend.

The Scout Says: A possible absence is the last thing Welbeck owners need, with Olivier Giroud now back in training and ready to battle for a central spot up front. Welbeck has delivered attacking returns in three of his last four appearances for the Gunners and has picked up in consistency since Arsenal switched to a 4-4-2 but the Frenchman’s return to action looks set to place question marks over his security of starts. If he misses out this weekend, many of Welbeck’s 16% owners may think twice over retaining his services as the competition for places up front intensifies.

REDS ROCKED BY ANOTHER STURRIDGE SETBACK

Daniel Sturridge has suffered yet another injury setback in training and now looks likely to miss his side’s trip to Crystal Palace this weekend. The Liverpool striker is reported to have sustained a thigh problem, with fears arising that his spell on the sidelines could be extended for yet another significant period.

The Scout Says: It was only yesterday that we discussed the possibility of Liverpool moving to a front two of Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, with Raheem Sterling tucking in behind them in a central position. And now? Now it looks like those plans may have gone up in smoke as Brendan Rodgers could be dealt yet another bitter blow in his side’s stuttering season. The scan results of Sturridge’s injury are expected later today, and another period out would once again diminish Liverpool’s attacking potential just as they are set to embark on an enticing run of fixtures (cpl, STO, lei, SUN). From a Fantasy perspective, the England striker’s return had threatened to shake up the Aguero-Costa monopoly of our forward lines, but the Man City and Chelsea hit-men now look set to remain the template options for the time being.

TADIC IN FITNESS RACE FOR SAINTS

Dusan Tadic missed Serbia’s meeting with Greece last night, though the playmaker’s national FA confirmed the issue was “a knock and nothing serious”, according to reports.

The Scout Says: Truth be told, the 7.9-priced midfielder has failed to live up to expectations after his 23-point haul in Gameweek 8. Given that Tadic is set to face Villa’s porous defence on Monday evening, most owners are prepared to hold until after this weekend before considering their Southampton options – Ronald Koeman’s side face a tough upcoming schedule from Gameweek 13 onwards (MCI, ars, MNU), meaning that many would have been searching for the exit door soon enough anyway. A possible absence for the midfielder is likely to speed up the transfers out should Koeman afford us further prognosis before the weekend deadline.

TIGERS DUO DELIVER

Hull City’s Robbie Brady and Andrew Robertson were both amongst the goals for their international sides last night. The former notched a double in the Republic of Ireland’s 4-1 win over USA, and the latter scoring Scotland’s only goal in their loss to England.

The Scout Says: Steve Bruce is now tasked with a considerable dilemma on the left flank for his side’s encounter with Spurs this weekend, with Brady and Robertson going head-to-head for the starting spot. It is Brady that has started the last three, ousting Robertson after the Scot had begun every league match of the season up until Gameweek 8, though the Tigers have subsequently failed to score ever since Bruce made the change. Now, however, given the tricky fixtures that lie in wait (TOT, mnu, eve, WBA, che), it may be Robertson who gets the nod due to his greater defensive mindedness, though few managers will be willing to punt on one of the Tiger’s backline assets right now.