Just a few weeks ago, today’s opening fixture at Old Trafford would have been the main attraction, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic the sole focus of our attention.
But rivals City and Sergio Aguero now dominate Gameweek 27 – our thoughts already running ahead to Sunday’s encounter with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
For now, we need to concentrate on Saturday’s events with Ibrahimovic still capable of making a major impact on our weekend.
Again the most popular captain pick and surely skippered by the majority of those who have ignored Aguero, his owners will be willing the Swede to translate recent cup form – six goals in four outings – back to the league.
A goal and an assist in his last four Gameweeks is a modest return by Ibrahimovic’s standards but, in Bournemouth, he now faces an ideal opponent.
The Cherries arrive at without their captain Simon Francis, having failed to stem a relentless tide of goals. Without a clean sheet since Gameweek 19, Eddie Howe’s side have conceded 20 in the seven matches since.
The scene is set for Ibrahimovic to deliver a big return to kick-start Gameweek 27, as Fantasy Premier League managers begin the chase for a three-digit tally.
