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. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Jose on the ropes!

  2. dark91
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Looks like Livescore doesn't approve Boro's goal, it still stands as 2-0 at 84' minute !!

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

      ... Mark obviously owns Valenica & has shares in Livescore so!

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

      They can't recognise because as far they are concerned Gestede is not on the pitch!!

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

      Seen that. Went to double check they actually scored.

    4. Ninja Škrtel
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      worst website for scores.

  3. Tuchap - Lurker
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    I blame Jonty for saying valencia is a guaranteed 6 points

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

      As soon as United scored the second a Boro goal was inevitable

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

      too soon

  4. WE ARE RANGERS
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this team for the next game week?

    Jaku
    Coleman Valencia Alonso
    Siggy Alli Hazard Sanchez
    Vardy(c) Gabiadinni Lukaku

    Heaton, Olsson, Maguire, King

    1. InSaneMan-e
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Do we think Sanchez will be play?

      1. Kun Tozser
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Or Haz

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

      Unlikely sanchez will play

  5. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    Top 10k average for this match 0.8 points...

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

      Lovely

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

      Without the clean sheet?

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

        Yes, was 2,2 I think until cs gone

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

    Isn't de Roon getting the assist?

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

    Gw30 transfers.. advice?

    A) King > Son
    B) Brunt > Walker
    C) Baines > Valencia
    D) two of above for a hit

    Probably A right?

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

      Wait and see Spurs game.

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

        Planning to. I feel uncomfortable owning only 1 spurs player after kane gone, need them back fast

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

      Son will be on his travels over IB than facing Burnley when he returns. At least watch the Spurs match today then consider options carefully over the next couple of week.

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

        Cheers..

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    United playing with 4 centre backs 😆

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

    United are such a garbage team. Just lost a double clean sheet against a pathetic side that can never score.

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

      Why would you have two defenders from a garbage team?

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

        This..

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

        Cause I thought that these two turds would play out a 0-0. One can't score, one doesn't want to score and you get 3 goals in the match and goals at both ends. Ugh!

    2. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      They're garbage because they give tiny hope to small teams.

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

      3 points

      Not sure they are that concerned about my Phil Jones 6 points

  10. Viper
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    So as it stands, this is perfect for non owners?

    Don't think I'll get as lucky in the Spurs game

  11. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 1 month ago

    What next here..

    Yoshida or Valencia in for Funes Mori or Brunt?
    Alli/Son/Sanchez in for Snodgrass?

    Pickford.
    Alonso, Robertson, Walker.
    Mane, Cout, Snod*, Siggy.
    Lukaku, Llorente, Costa.

    Heaton, Brunt, Funes Mori*, Whelan.
    5.4m, 1ft..

    1. MTPockets
        7 years, 1 month ago

        I'd focus on FMori & Snodgrass.

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

      Did Son play as striker when Harry got injured?

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

        Yes

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

        Yep

      3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        More a false 9. He didn't do so great I recall

      4. Crow
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Nah last time it was a mix of them whole lot with janssen getting game time I think. Son did play striker but wasn't very good I think

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 1 month ago

          Different formation then though

          1. how now brown cow
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 1 month ago

            Indeed. I think dele will be further forward.

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      De gea suddenly has an international injury

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      More defenders, moreeeee

    5. Scholes Balls
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Smalling should not start a game until the end of the season

      1. Scholes Balls
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        after this performance

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

      Valencia, DeGea CS gone ..NO....

      1. Business Cat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        ...yes! 😎

    7. FALCAO & MOU
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Baines to Valencia working beautifully.

      1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        Terrible transfer

    8. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Brilliant result fpl wise this. Top 10k average only up 0.8.

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

        2 points a piece from my 2 players looking pretty good then. 😎

    9. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Gestede Bailly fight

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

      Fergie time!

    11. Game of Throw_ins
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Smalling looking useless. Jones much better. But is he a safe option?

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

      Valencia yellow or own goal here would be ideal.

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

      Why on earth didn't Traore start?!

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 1 month ago

        They couldn't catch him to tell him he was starting and by the time they did it was too late.

    14. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      If Senor Pep could play like the way united are playing when under pressure and trying to see out the game......

      Ah it is never going to happen

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

        Makes a big difference having a world class keeper though.

    15. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Sums up my season that I can't even buy the right Valencia.

    16. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Gestede didn't have breakfast

    17. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      Get another goal Boro.....

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

      LOOOOOOOL

    19. KingNidge
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 1 month ago

      loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool

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

      Omg