Scout Scribbles – Red Devils Fall to Defeat

Memphis Depay scores as United fall to an embarrassing defeat in Denmark. Jurgen Klopp names an unchanged side as Liverpool draw in Augsburg. Nacer Chadli nets in Spurs’ stalemate with Fiorentina, whilst team-mate Jan Vertonghen issues an injury update as he steps up his recovery from a knee injury.

United slump continues

Manchester United fell to a shock 2-1 defeat on FC Midtjylland’s home turf. To compound Louis van Gaal’s misery, David De Gea picked up a knee injury prior to kick-off and will need a scan to ascertain its severity. The Red Devils made five changes from the XI that were beaten by Sunderland, with Sergio Romero, Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera, Patrick McNair and Donald Love earning starts. Anthony Martial was deployed in the lone-striker role but struggled to exert his influence, recording a solitary blocked shot throughout the encounter.

The Scout Says: The pressure is ratcheting up on Van Gaal following another lamentable performance under his tenure. The Europa League is fast becoming the Red Devils’ best shot of gaining entry into next season’s Champions League – given that the winners are afforded that privilege – so they’ll be forced to field an experienced outfit for the return leg next week. Speculation aside, De Gea’s standout performances between the sticks are the chief reason why Man United lay claim to the joint-third best defence (24 goals conceded) this season, so his absence would significantly reduce our confidence in their clean-sheet prospects. Nonetheless, the 4.3-priced Sergio Romero would still offer great value if he’s required to step in for the Spaniard for a prolonged period of time. Up front, Van Gaal’s decision to field Martial in the lone striker role as a result of Wayne Rooney’s injury boosts the young Frenchman’s chances ahead of three home matches in four (ARS, WAT, wba, CPL). Martial has bagged two goals and an assist in his last three league outings now, though would-be suitors should at least wait until Monday evening – if United beat Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, their Gameweek 30 fixture against Palace will need to be postponed and rescheduled.

Chadli nets in Spurs stalemate

Mauricio Pochettino rang the changes as Tottenham Hotspur recorded a 1-1 victory in the away leg of their Europa League tie against Fiorentina. Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier all dropped to the bench, but the latter three were called upon in the second period. Nacer Chadli converted from the penalty spot to open the scoring in Florence -with Kane off the pitch, the Belgian looks to be second in line for spot-kicks.

After the match, the Spurs boss discussed his rotation policy as the north London club battle for silverware on three fronts:

It is important to play with the squad. We have a strong squad to try to fight for every competition, we need to use all of the squad. I am happy with all of the players. “Six changes from the City game and I’m happy, it is not important to talk about using the squad. It is important how we compete, we have big motivation.”

The Scout Says: Spurs play host to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup this weekend, before inviting Fiorentina to White Hart Lane next Thursday – taking last night’s fixtures into consideration, they are essentially playing three matches at a point where league leaders Leicester are without a fixture. In light of their congested schedule, the Lilywhites will be relieved that their next league match is a home tie against Swansea City, ensuring that they remain within the capital. Considering that Harry Kane has featured in all but one of Tottenham’s fixtures across all competitions this season, his 40% ownership will hope that Pochettino continues to manage his minutes over the next week. That being said, he’s exhibited few signs of fatigue of late, ranking joint-top for goals (four), joint-fourth for attempts (14) and joint-top for shots on target (eight) among forwards since Gameweek 23.

Vertonghen pinpoints comeback date

Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen rolled out an injury update as he steps up his recovery from the knee problem sustained against Palace in Gameweek 23:

“They (the medical team) always give you a timeframe to come back and the target of the injured player coming back is always to beat that time. I’m out of the brace now and I can walk again so I improve every day. It’s hard work and it will take time. I’m aiming to be back around the international break and I want to be part of the team and help however I can.”

The Scout Says: Given that the international break is between Gameweeks 31-32, it looks likely that Kevin Wimmer is in line to retain his role alongside Toby Alderweireld in the heart of defence for the next five league matches at least. Priced at 4.6, the Austrian has started each of the last three in a run that’s seen Spurs concede just once – he now offers a cheap, short-term route into the league’s tightest defence ahead of clashes against Swansea, West Ham, Arsenal, Villa and Bournemouth prior to Vertonghen’s mooted comeback date.

Inconsistent Reds draw blank

For the first time since taking the Anfield reins, Jurgen Klopp named an unchanged starting XI. The German rolled out the same 4-2-3-1 set-up that eviscerated Aston Villa last weekend, yet Liverpool failed to replicate that attacking verve as they played out a goalless stalemate at Augsburg. Daniel Sturridge lead the line for 68 minutes, while Philippe Coutinho lasted the distance in Germany.

After the match, Klopp conceded that last night’s disappointing draw is likely to have an effect on his team sheet for next Thursday’s return leg – which takes place just three days before Liverpool’s Capital One Cup final against Man City:

“A strong team in second leg? Yes, I think so. Maybe it’s a different team, but we should not think too much about the final. I will not ignore it (the final) of course but it doesn’t complicate my plans. We should be concentrated Thursday and Sunday will take care of itself”.

The Scout Says: Although the Reds will fancy their chances of progressing to the round of 16 following the draw, it did illustrate their inconsistency on the attacking front; despite scoring three against Arsenal, five against Norwich City and six against Villa across the previous seven Gameweeks, Klopp’s charges also posted a trio of blanks. Looking beyond their blank next Gameweek, Liverpool’s schedule through to Gameweek 32 (blank, MCI, cry, CHE, sou, TOT) pits them against many of the league’s form defences and despite failing to score, the Reds’ boss will be delighted that Sturridge has navigated another match without a setback. Roberto Firmino owners will be a little worried, though – after thriving as a “false nine” in a 4-3-3, he’s now fired just one attempt on goal in the two matches with Sturridge back on board as a result of Klopp’s switch to 4-2-3-1. At the back, though, successive clean sheets boosts our faith in a defence that had previously conceded in five of the previous six. Given that they are without a league fixtures in Gameweek 27, those holding the Reds assets will now hope that Man City beat Chelsea in the FA Cup this weekend, thus ensuring that the Merseysiders’ clash with the champions in Gameweek 30 remains in place.