Dugout Discussion
17 May 2016 1100 comments
Paul Paul
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At the second time of asking, Man United and Bournemouth prepare to go head-to-head at Old Trafford as the 2015/16 season comes to a belated conclusion. With the battle for the FPL title and the outcome of many a mini-league still on the line, tonight’s match promises to be a fraught 90-minute affair for Fantasy managers.

Certainly, the form is in favour of the hosts. Louis van Gaal’s side have won six and drawn one of the last seven in front of their own fans and need a point to climb above Southampton into fifth.

Surprisingly, Bournemouth better the home side for both shots (59 to 55) and efforts in the box (31 to 28) over their respective last four, though the Red Devils have outscored the visitors by six goals to four and sit fourth in the top-flight for touches in the box (139) over that time frame.

In defence, United have registered more big chances against (eight to seven) but Eddie Howe’s troops have been far more porous, conceding nine times to the home side’s four. The Cherries also fare worse for both shots against (37 to 31) and efforts in the box conceded (22 to 17), strengthening Van Gaal’s chances of a morale-boosting win prior to the weekend Wembley clash with Palace.

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  1. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Does Smalling know he needs to score?

    1. mad_beer ✅
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      I sent him a text before the match explaining the situation. He only replied with "Stop stalking me".

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        What a buzzkill

      2. Somalion
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        I that's just an auto reply set on his phone. Gotten a couple dozen of them.

  2. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    0-0 written all over it.....

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Guaranteed that both teams score now!

      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        That's the plan 😉

    2. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      0-0 will do me fine!

  3. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    What a difference this Utd team is with the shackles off

    1. Werkself
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      🙂

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      BOU are really pressing hard

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        sarcasm

  4. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    For the Euro game:
    A) Martial+Kane
    B) Matuidi+Muller

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      B if any because I don't think Martial is a guaranteed starter and also Muller is superb in these competitions.

  5. BB-8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    What happens if 1st and 2nd place over are on level points? Is there a tie breaker? More goals?

    1. BB-8
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Overall*

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Less transfers wins.

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Don't think that can happen now, given half sensible results.

      1. BB-8
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        Lol true, but also wanted to know for my ML. Guessing the same rule applies

          • 12 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          Same rules do apply. Fewest transfers (outside of wildcards) over the season wins.

          1. BB-8
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 14 days ago

            Cheers Balders

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          Ah I see. I'm sure Balders (below) is right.

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 14 days ago

            er ... above.

  6. Lynxy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    omg so boring again

  7. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    If Mourinho was to come in, would much be different to what we see now?

    Put this team in a blue jersey and you're pretty much watching the same Chelsea side he managed 🙄

    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      The one that won the Premiership?

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        +1

      2. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        True, but I think the fans are looking for something a bit more aesthetically pleasing in terms of attack

        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          I wouldn't particularly want him because I want a long term manager in. Mourinho isn't that type really.

        • 12 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        Nah the bang average one from this season when Hazard was playing about as well as Rooney 😉

    2. sinik
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      it wouldn't be a discussion about Mourinho without repetitive cliches

    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      "van Gaal will stay"

    4. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Don't remember seeing any Mourinho team playing sideways and backwards.. yes he will park a bus from time to time if he sees that as the best way but his Chelsea team played great stuff as did his Madrid team and every other one.. If you think a Mourinho side isn't going to create chances or get shots off then that's utter nonsense

      1. Bøwstring The Carp
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        I just mean to watch that Chelsea team that won the league never really wowed me as an attacking team.

        It's only when you compared their stats to other teams their attacking nature was shown. I think a lot of United fans want to see a fast-paced attacking style like Leicester played. United have quick players in Martial and Valencia but just seem to fall short of the mark in other areas 😕

        1. KingNidge
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          That Chelsea team that won the league last year were playing some wonderful stuff blowing teams away early doors. they took their foot off the gas a touch towards the end.. Mourinho sets his stall up to be rock solid at the back and counter attack a lot of the time those attackers have the freedom to attack with purpose and pace when the chance arises.. he can both defend an attack with equal effect and can adapt.. LVG plays one way sideways backwards drivel week in week out whatever the opposition.. possesion is everything.. with Jose winning is everything

  8. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Wife out tonight so beer and pizza for me.

    Banal posts like this guarantee a goal...

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Comeee oooon Mike from corneeer!!!

  10. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    I can stop sweating now, don't think United are going to get those 19 goals 🙂

  11. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Chris Smalling @mikesmalling 1 min 31secs

    So boring, even time for a cheeky tweet 🙂

  12. Swan - Villa Proud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    On out way to 0-0. 4K likely for me with that 🙂

  13. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Smalling on 1 bonus point!

  14. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Over/under United 4.5 shots by HT.

    Safe under..

  15. Lynxy
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    United will get 19 goals in 19 years if this keeps going

  16. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    2 for Derby! game on

  17. Old Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Derby 2 up!!!

    1. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Own goal maybe. Woe

  18. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Barca v Leicester in the summer?!! Nice.

    1. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Good chance for Barca to scout Mahrez. 😉

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        * Leicester to scout Messi

        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          No need when they have Albrighton.

      2. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        I think Kante could be the one to go .........:-(

        1. Somalion
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          I fear you might be on the money. Shame, I'd like another season of those boys playing together.

    2. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Could be three meetings next season!

      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        group stage and final?

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          I'm not sure they can meet in the group stages anyway can they?

          1. Jimmers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            10 years, 14 days ago

            Correct - both in Pot 1

          2. sinik
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 14 days ago

            yep you're right..so either 1 meetup or 2, no other scenario

    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Mouth-watering if you're a Foxes fan.

      Meh predictable 4-0 match if you're not.

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        Plymouth Argyle played Real Madrid a few seasons back and only lost 1-0. Leicester can win if they want it more.

        1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 14 days ago

          That was 10 years ago and it was a friendly.

          4-1 then.

          1. Piggs Boson
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 14 days ago

            10 years?! 😯 Blimey, seems like yesterday.

            Barca v Leicester is also a friendly.

            1. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 14 days ago

              Completely forgot about the friendly arrangement tbh. I was talking about a competitive CL match. It could be any scoreline in a friendly.

  19. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    come on you cherries.....need to punish this second string side

  20. mad_beer ✅
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Smalling on 3 bonus points!

    1. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      15 pointer still on!

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      2 atm

      1. mad_beer ✅
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        🙁

  21. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    1 more for Derby 🙂

    1. Swan - Villa Proud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Cmon Rams!!!!

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        Yeah, why not get another East Midlands team in there!

  22. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Whats Derby doing?
    Dont need that squad up

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      I think they want to break the record they set last time.

    2. GuyIncognito
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      I hope Wednesday do it anyway: a classic Premier League side.

  23. Chucky
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Martial looking lively?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      lol

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      He is breathing

  24. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Do you reckon LVG is now thinking....

    19 goals was a bit optimistic...

  25. Lyonnais
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    I have Smalling but I need United to concede and Martial to blank to win my country league...

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 14 days ago

      Which country?

      1. Lyonnais
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 14 days ago

        Austria. A very competitive league 😉

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    This is just dreadful to watch. Embarrassing performance to end the season

    I'm going to watch the play off semi

  27. Syd.
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    I am away to paint a wall and watch it dry

  28. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    *takes Robertson off watchlist*

  29. Fergietime
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 14 days ago

    Smalling on three bonus