Memphis Depay nets twice as United grab a commanding first-leg lead over Belgian outfit Brugge. The FA reject West Ham’s appeal over Adrian’s sending off, Villa’s Jack Grealish could be in line for a weekend return, whilst Dick Advocaat contemplates changes to the Sunderland defence.
Depay Brace Sees off Brugge
Manchester United triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford over opponents Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League play-off. Following a Michael Carrick own goal, Memphis Depay hit back with two excellent strikes in the first half to grant the Red Devils the lead. Marouane Fellaini then nodded home in the 94th minute to extend the hosts’ advantage.
The Scout Says: Louis van Gaal named the same XI that secured the win against Villa last Friday, fielding Depay on the left wing and Adnan Januzaj in “the hole” behind lone striker Wayne Rooney. Considering how Depay flourished in his favoured wide role – with his second goal of the ilk that he routinely produced at PSV Eindhoven – you’d fancy him to be deployed there henceforth. Over 32,000 FPL managers have now drafted him in this week as United prepare for the visit of Newcastle. With the Netherlands international shifted from the number ten berth, Januzaj and Fellaini (who is still suspended domestically) will be hoping to secure a central role, though it’s clear that Van Gaal is still in the market to strengthen his attack, with Thomas Mueller and Pedro strongly linked. Having bagged the winner against the Villains, Januzaj will likely be afforded another opportunity to impress in the league before Fellaini’s three-match suspension is finally served.
Adrian ban upheld by FA
West Ham’s appeal over Adrian’s weekend dismissal was rejected by the FA yesterday, meaning his three-match suspension will remain in effect.
The Scout Says: West Ham’s upcoming schedule (BOU, liv, NEW) throws up two home ties that looked like prime targets for clean sheet points, compounding the impact of Adrian’s ban. Recruited from Birmingham this summer, substitute shot-stopper Darren Randolph is very much an unknown quantity at this level, casting doubt over his ability to be an able stand-in. Fantasy managers in possession of Hammers defenders have reason to be confident, though, after witnessing Slaven Bilic’s troops rebuff Arsenal’s advances in Gameweek 1. Those that jumped on the Reece Oxford bandwagon, however, will likely be eyeing up alternatives, with Pedro Obiang expected to usurp the 16-year-old in central midfield at Upton Park against the Cherries.
Grealish plots comeback against Eagles
Having scored on his return to action with the Aston Villa U21s this week, Jack Grealish could return to the matchday squad for the senior side’s trip to Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Tim Sherwood also revealed that Carles Gil was withdrawn from the reserve match through injury, while Jores Okore and Jose Angel Crespo are recuperating well from their respective knocks:
“The Derby match was a good workout for the boys. They need games – the lads who haven’t been playing. I thought Jack was very good. He played to the last minute. He looked fit enough to maybe be up for selection this weekend. Carles came off with a tight groin which is an indication the lack of training he has actually done. He will get fitter. Jores is not fit yet. But he is out there running. Jose is still not fit. He picked up a groin problem a few minutes into the Nottingham Forest game. It is disappointing for him – and the rest of us. But he won’t be too far away. Overall, we’re quite healthy.”
The Scout Says: Following the arrival of Jordan Ayew and Adama Traore this summer, Sherwood has a multitude of wide options at his disposal, negating the need to expedite Grealish’s return to first-team action. Nonetheless, the West Midlands club could certainly do with some of the academy product’s invention, considering their lack of creative spark across the opening two Gameweeks: no side has created fewer chances (eight) or fashioned fewer goal attempts (12) than Villa.
Advocaat contemplates defensive reshuffle
Baffled by the ineptitude of his team’s rearguard, Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has threatened to enact changes for Swansea City’s visit on Saturday. In particular, The Dutchman implored his full-backs to concentrate on their defending:
“I didn’t want to change the back-line already after one game. But at the moment, there are players playing who I can’t understand why they are playing that way. I cannot understand it, honestly. But there must be a reason and I hope that they can tell me. I spoke to the players and told them that we like full-backs, who if the possibility comes, they go forward. But I’ve changed that. I’ve now set up a different way. The first way for the back four is now defence. And then the opponent cannot get the kind of space they got at Leicester. Take care of your man, and beside that, if you can do a little bit more, then go forwards, otherwise not. We have to change the basic facts.”
The Scout Says: John O’Shea – who was a stalwart in the Black Cats’ defence last term, starting all but one league tie as the Wearsiders went on to bag an impressive 13 clean sheets – looks likely to be drafted in for either Younes Kaboul or Sebastien Coates in light of their dreadful starts. Furthermore, with right-back Adam Matthews waiting in the wings, Billy Jones’ starting berth is seriously under threat. Meanwhile, Patrick van Aanholt (5.0)’s attacking instincts – which engendered five assists in the previous campaign – are set to be reined in by Advocaat, reducing his prospects further as we look to bail out on the Black Cats backline.
