Dugout Discussion
16 April 2017 2685 comments
Paul Paul
Share:

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.

Paul Is certain he won't make the same mistakes next season. Follow them on Twitter

  1. rivercityransom
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    is ibra injured or just rested?

    1. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Rested

      1. rivercityransom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

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

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

      Tired, hence rested.

      1. rivercityransom
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

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

  2. tm245
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa is an embarrassment.

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      To the coffee establishment

    2. Syd.
      • 16 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

      The worse professional player I have ever seen

      1. tm245
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        The histrionics are so unnecessary.

  3. HVT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      not even on livescore

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

    Costa too Rojo's banana

  5. Numb
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa play acting. Disgraceful

  6. Les Bleus
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Racist.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Although I agree with you.

        1. Les Bleus
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          😀

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Argentina vs Brazil. Do not like each other.

    3. Pep says
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

      1. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

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

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

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

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

      Racist.

      See: Lucas

    5. tm245
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Terrible generalization. There is not a continent without divers.

      1. Fitzy.
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

        Antarctica.

        1. tm245
          • 14 Years
          9 years, 1 month ago

          How do penguins get in the water?

          1. Fitzy.
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            Fair point. 😉

          2. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            9 years, 1 month ago

            😆 😆

      2. Les Bleus
        • 14 Years
        9 years, 1 month ago

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

  7. Danstoke82
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa is a joke

  8. FrankieTheGent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      the definition of knee jerk

    2. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      A bit Rash for me

    3. karvs155
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month 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
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

  10. L'Aeroplanino
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa dirty

  11. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa's coffee about to spill over

  12. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Argentina chants LOL

  13. diesel001
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month 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
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. ⚽️ Dingo ⚽️
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Has Costa even been to Brazil?

  14. Debauchy
    • 13 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Costa sneaky chop to chin. dirty so and so

  15. El-Kloppico
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

  16. mcrayeps
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Why i still have costa on my team

  17. karvs155
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month 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
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra would have had a hattrick by now

  19. FPL Maldini
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month 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
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

  20. Differentiator
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah , enjoying the intensity

    2. Espi
      • 13 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Foster more attacking threat than Hazard

  21. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      .....

    2. Chelsea Dagger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Don't be a shithouse.

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

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

    5. EDEN THE MAN
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Ur not really a fan if you can't decide

    6. Live Lad
      • 11 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

  22. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

  23. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      CapuCHINo

  24. Sims
    • 9 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Ibra tired of playing for a europa league side?

  25. Arctic monkeys
    • 12 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    The amount of hate between Rojo and Costa. Wow

  26. George Sillett
    • 10 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

  27. F4L
    • 11 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. Sims
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

    3. Crow
      • 9 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

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

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Almost Cahill own goal

  29. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

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

    1. dark91
      • 10 Years
      9 years, 1 month ago

      Yup, unless it is United themselves

    2. Da Funk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      9 years, 1 month 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
    • 14 Years
    9 years, 1 month ago

    Cahill shot off target