Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Manchester United vs Chelsea

After Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool the points at West Brom, our attentions now turn to Old Trafford as Manchester United entertain Chelsea in the 4.00pm kick-off.

The big news is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named amongst the substitutes for the home side, with Jose Mourinho conceding that the veteran is “very tired” as he juggles his options ahead of the upcoming Europa League clash with Anderlecht.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also on the bench, though Antonio Valencia’s 15.7% owners can breathe a sigh of relief – he’s handed a first league start since Gameweek 30.

With a double Gameweek 34 against Burnley and neighbours City just around the corner, this afternoon’s match affords Fantasy managers the chance to cast an eye over Mourinho’s side.

Certainly, Ibrahimovic owners will be desperate for more than just a late cameo – he’s the second most captained player for Gameweek 33, with more than 621,000 handing him the armband.

Chelsea pair Diego Costa (7.9%) and Eden Hazard (4.3%) could emerge as differential captaincy picks, though United have been solid in front of their own supporters, conceding just twice in their last five at Old Trafford.

Indeed, that resilient record – allied with two goals in his previous nine appearances – goes some way to explaining why Costa was the most transferred out player last week, with over 121,000 owners looking elsewhere.

Marcos Alonso’s 15.9% owners are left cursing their luck, though, after the top-scoring defender in FPL was forced to withdraw prior to kick-off after picking up a knock in the warm-up.

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2,685 Comments Post a Comment
  1. rivercityransom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    is ibra injured or just rested?

    1. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Rested

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        in such an important game? that's pretty weird.

    2. FALCAO & MOU
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Tired, hence rested.

      1. rivercityransom
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        probably a new development then. if mourinho had known he needs rest, he would have rested him earlier.

  2. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa is an embarrassment.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      To the coffee establishment

    2. Syd.
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Got his "I want to leave Chelsea head" on again

      The worse professional player I have ever seen

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        The histrionics are so unnecessary.

  3. HVT
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    BBC doesn't have Alonso listed as a sub.
    He can't come on now.

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      not even on livescore

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa too Rojo's banana

  5. Numb
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa play acting. Disgraceful

  6. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    It's honestly not a stereotype, but these South Americans/Spanish really are big actors in the world of football. It's so pathetic.

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

      Racist.

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

        Although I agree with you.

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

          😀

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Argentina vs Brazil. Do not like each other.

    3. Pep says
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Kind of is a stereotype. You're speaking about a minority. Plenty other nations do this crap aswell

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

        Just an observation. From my point of view, it's not a minority.

      2. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Watch El Classico and tell me I'm not wrong.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Racist.

      See: Lucas

    5. tm245
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Terrible generalization. There is not a continent without divers.

      1. Fitzy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        Antarctica.

        1. tm245
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 2 months ago

          How do penguins get in the water?

          1. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            Fair point. 😉

          2. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 2 months ago

            😆 😆

      2. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 2 months ago

        My point was more towards that most of them are from said continent.

  7. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa is a joke

  8. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Is this knee jerk or the right move
    Ibra + Origi -> Kane + rashford

    1. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      the definition of knee jerk

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      A bit Rash for me

    3. karvs155
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      I would get Kane in another way. If UTD wins this, Ibra will be key I think.
      I'm pretty sure he will start at least one of those games, and maybe sub on in the other.

  9. ekul the lokonga enthusiast
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    i'll give it to costa & rojo, they've been hilarious all season

  10. L'Aeroplanino
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa dirty

  11. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa's coffee about to spill over

  12. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Argentina chants LOL

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Rojo doesn't like the Brazilians. Constantly having a pop at Costa and was having a go at Luiz when Luiz was up for an attacking free kick.

    1. Bazzalona
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      He doesn't like Aguero either and he's Argentinian.

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Has Costa even been to Brazil?

  14. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa sneaky chop to chin. dirty so and so

  15. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ibra not a viable captain option for the DGW then???

  16. mcrayeps
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Why i still have costa on my team

  17. karvs155
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    GW34 team (BOLD - dgw)
    Jaku
    VALENCIA Alonso
    ZAHA King Alli Sigurdsson Sane
    IBRA Lukaku Kane

    Bench: Forster, Pieters, Holebas, McAuley

    Should I do a hit to add another DGWer?

  18. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ibra would have had a hattrick by now

  19. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    A Costa red would only facilitate a Costa to Zlatan move

    I don't own him so hopefully he stays on

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

      He won't be banned in the league if he gets second yellow.

  20. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Contrast this game to the drivel that was WBA vs LIV earlier

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah , enjoying the intensity

    2. Espi
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ben Foster more attacking threat than Hazard

  21. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Valencia comes on for Alonso. Can't decide if I want a United Clean Sheet or not as a Chelsea fan.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      .....

    2. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Same here ... but I'll take the Valencia CS

    3. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Don't be a shithouse.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Sums up a Chelsea fan if you want points from Valencia's CS!

    5. EDEN THE MAN
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Ur not really a fan if you can't decide

    6. Live Lad
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      The team you support first always! You will remember Chelsea results more than Valencia's 4 extra pts.

  22. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ibra falling asleep on the bench. Very tired or the football?

  23. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Costa coffee jokes are amazing. Can't get enough of them.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      CapuCHINo

  24. Sims
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Ibra tired of playing for a europa league side?

  25. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    The amount of hate between Rojo and Costa. Wow

  26. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Maureen's tactics working well. Run at the defence , boot Hazard every time he gets the ball.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Can't accuse him of parking the bus as people said he would tbf

  27. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Would love a good honest team like Spurs to win the Prem

    1. Sims
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      yup...even though i was an arsenal fan earlier this season would like spurs to win over chelsea

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      LOL. Kane and Alli know how to win a penalty.

    3. Crow
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Same. But suppose I'm a bit biased. 😉

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Almost Cahill own goal

  29. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    If United win Europa is the 4th place team out of the Champions?

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

      Yup, unless it is United themselves

    2. Da Funk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 2 months ago

      Only if Leicester win the Champions League as well otherwise we can have 5 teams in the Champs League, top 4 plus United.

  30. tm245
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 2 months ago

    Cahill shot off target