Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Middlesbrough vs Manchester United

We drop by the Riverside in the first of three Sunday fixtures before yet another international break is thrust upon us.

Middlesbrough attempt to regroup after parting company with Aitor Karanka, as the Teesside team look to improve a dire run of form that has harvested two goals in their previous eight Premier League matches.

United are, of course, without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Marcus Rashford leading the line as the big Swede serves the second of a three-match ban.

Despite being without Paul Pogba due to a hamstring problem, Jose Mourinho has opted to bench Henrikh Mkhitaryan for today’s clash, frustrating the 17,000+ who drafted in the Armenian for this one.

Juan Mata – with two goals in his last three league appearances – potentially has the chance to play his way into Fantasy managers’ plans as United prepare to face 11 league matches in the remaining nine rounds of fixtures.

At the back, Antonio Valencia has been transferred in by over 57,000 FPL managers this week – three assists and a trio of clean sheets in United’s last six league matches highlight the Ecuadorian’s points potential at both ends of the pitch.

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959 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone looking at Bertrand?

    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not since I got the restraining order

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        😆

        In FPL terms?

  2. AA33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I know Rashford's ML rival has Valencia TC 😡

    1. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Valencia is not a great finisher, that's probably why they elect not to put him in.

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Because Rashford has been so clinical this year

        1. Numb
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          He's been playing out on the wing most of the time.

      2. AA33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        😛

    2. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Valencia's ML rival also has Valencia TC if we judge by the one finish he had in the half

      1. AA33
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        😆

  3. Mr Wizard
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Any news on Walker starting?

    1. Jazz!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      15mins or so.

      1. Mr Wizard
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers!!

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Probably will and concede. I've Daniels first sub.

  4. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy or Gabbiadini

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      The 2.8m change?

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Gabby for next week vardy for the one after

    3. Fergies fledgling
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      I reckon Gabbi

      Vardy could be a risk of being rested / taken off early because of CL games

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      The advantage of Gabby is you can bump your worst defender up to anyone lol, think I'll do that.

      1. Colonel Klink
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Gabbi clearly the pick over Llorente (who I currently have) yes?

  5. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone want to cut my grass? I will pay them £5

    1. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      £5 per hour

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      How much have you got?

    3. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      £5 for grass these days is taking the piss.

      1. Numb
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Especially if it's cut

        1. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          If it's cannabis it's good value.

    4. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Don't fall for it. Grass is what he calls his pubes!

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I thought there was a funny smell off of them roll ups of his

  6. Pep bites Kun
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Short poll for HT -

    Who are the best Spurs attacking asset to have in order of preference? My pick below ...

    A. Alli
    B. Eriksen
    C. Son (A bit of a gamble with the intl. break coming up and Kanes recovery. Otherwise I might have put him on top)

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Agree

    2. Numb
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      ABC

    3. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      ACB

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        ACB - interesting. Yeah I think Alli is the one to have. Love to take a punt on Son and may do after the break. Think he'll do some damage given pitch time. He's a man with something to prove and a reputation to build being something of a reserve.

  7. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Suggestions for my FT?

    Foster, Pickford
    Baines, Brunt, Alonso, Friend, Amat
    King, Mane, Alli, Siggy, De Roon
    Llorente, Lukaku, Aguero

    4.1 in the bank

    1. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Wait til IB over, but maybe Southampton def + Gabbiadini in for one of your defenders and Llorente?

    2. Football Weekender
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Brunt to Valencia

    3. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Foster > DDG

  8. Leaf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Just read through

    Somalion, a warm welcome to the ABU club 🙂

    1. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      😆

      All been part of my secret agenda to take the club down from the inside 😎

    2. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Always Brown Underwear?

    3. Hibbo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sims is a dead man walking.

      You go for one of us you go for all of us ya two bit schmuck.

      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Lynch mob!

  9. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Good lord Smalling.

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      What happened?

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Headed the ball back to DDG with his knees

  10. Individual
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all

    RFM out for Bertrand definitely this week provided no IB injury

    What's best for a -4?
    A) Llorente -> Gabbiadini
    B) Llorente -> Deeney
    C) Kun -> Gabbiadini
    D) Kun -> Vardy
    E) Don't change (other striker is Kaku)

    Thanks!

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      E

    2. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      E

    3. Individual
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Thanks guys!

    4. FPL Bielsa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A if you have Siggy or E if not.

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Own Siggy, so I think A and captaining

    5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Im making gabby captain but still i would say E

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'll capt if i bring him in

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          If he scores today get him in i would say

    6. ILOVEBAPS
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      C or D. When will u WC?

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Hey man, probably quite late, waiting to find out more info.

        Doing c or d enables Sanchez back, so it's also under consideration... Love those Leicester fixtures at home.

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          U dont want sanchez back right now coz of IB and also injury doubts.

          1. Individual
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Sanchez in 31.

        2. ILOVEBAPS
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah they look good. I may get Vardy but also Deeney and Gabbi could be good.

    7. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Nah keep kun for arsenal they are in shambles just give that one last game.

      1. Individual
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah will wait and see over ib

  11. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Lets go Valencia!

    1. PvA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You paying for the flight?

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        And the chorizo

  12. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Will Walker start?
    Will Jansen ever score from open play again?
    Where the hell is Danny Rose?

    Find out on the next episode of Dragonball Z

  13. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jones > Valencia for a hit?

    1. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Madness.

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Not for hit.

  14. Wilshere Knowledge
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Arsenal away from home to PL Top 10 last 2 seasons:

    1 win
    6 draws
    8 losses

    9 points out of a potential 45.

    😎

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Betcha our numbers are hardly different

    2. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Arsenal and Liverpool need to have a knowledge transfer session on how to play against big and small clubs respectively.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        And City need to just "voyeur" the session and understand both

  15. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is this ref going to book guys or just give them a talking to they don't listen to?

  16. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    In 5 minutes we find out if Kane is back .. funny if he is

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Dont think so.

  17. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Rashford epitomises the English problem. Talented, but sits on the bench for so long that they start to lose their talent. Welbeck another example of that.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He's played a fair amount this season i think

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        out of position on the wing though. He is a striker.

    2. Wilshere Knowledge
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If they had enough talent, would they be on the bench in the first place?

      You look at the top International sides, and most of their players were young players at massive clubs.

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      You got the first sentence right.

      They get overhyped qucikly. What does Rashford have apart from pace? Not much.

  18. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    united gonna play for their wasted chanes...so many good oppertunities

  19. nonprophet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Any news or links available about double game weeks yet?

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      City-United April 27

      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Source?

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Ramirez is absolutely dreadful

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Yes.

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Has a massive opinion of himself when I have never seen anything to suggest he's more than bog standard.

  21. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Surprised Traore is not playing. His pace would cause problems if linked with Downing, Ramirez and Negredo. Probably take of Clayton for him.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      He's fast. But can't kick a ball.

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Sounds just like the type of player United struggle against

  22. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jeez United! Why are you giving so much possession of the ball to a team that doesn't even want it.

  23. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    A) Valencia / Fuchs
    B) Alonson / Yoshida
    C) other £11.2m combo

    1. Slartibartfast
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      b

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      A

  24. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Come on Jones make it to 60

  25. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Is it only top 3 that get prizes off FPL? I'd have thought top 100 or so would get something perhaps!

  26. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Okay, I get that Dahoud for 10m is a great deal, but Pep, we need to sort out that defence too mate

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Isn't Dahoud joining Dortmund?

  27. Sjaugen
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Son starts 😀

  28. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Son OOP

    1. Viprin
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Son or Eriksen on pens?

  29. dhamphiir
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    #THFC: Lloris (C), Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Dembele, Dele, Eriksen, Son. #COYS

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Walker!!!

  30. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Walker starts ffs