Members

The Numbers Game – Manchester United

Our summer series of members’ articles, offering an in-depth team-by-team analysis of the previous campaign, continues with Manchester United.

To get things up and running, we’ll look at the performance levels on a team level and attempt to spot trends or improvements.

We then delve into the player data, analysing the key individuals as we scour for early targets ahead of the new season.

Replacing Louis van Gaal as manager last May, Jose Mourinho could only manage a sixth-place finish in his first year in charge at Old Trafford.

This was, in part, due to the club’s successful march to Europa League success as Mourinho rotated his side towards the latter stages of the league season.

Despite adding big-name buys such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in attack, the Red Devils netted just 54 times – up five on 2015/16 and only eighth best in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, a total of 69 points was just three more than their haul from Van Gaal’s final year at the helm.

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

4,008 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Kdb worth the extra 1.5m over sane? Could use the funds to upgrade defence, but not if kdb is worth it

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Tough to say... If KDB is rotated, then he probably wont be worth it

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Kdb is least likely to be rotated......

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Maybe...

          Sane and Jesus are Pep's favorite, so you never know

    2. scootadee
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      having the same problem.
      I'd prefer KDB for sure but the extra 1.5m allows me to do Bailly and Kolasinac to Valencia and Alonso.
      If we think Sane is nailed i think i'll get him.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Both are meh, wake up

      1. *Reformed-Character*
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Stop trolling ....

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Nah, they,re both overvalued v the best market.

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Best Man City value Netley? Kun?

            1. Netley Lucas
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              Jesus, got te have the guts te cap though... small sample

              Kun is missing too many good chances.

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jiCi7aFZE

              Offy open in...freck

  2. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Chicharitooooooo

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        *went over head* 😀

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Change the title to Chicharito.

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Divert them away from Chazzer

  3. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Going through the recent RMTs there seems to be a loss of love for Lacazette

    Why do you think that is?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Fixtures? Not enough pre-season goals? Poor performance against Chelsea?

      Dont know 😳

    2. TripHazard
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      1. Not sure about Arsenal
      2. Strikers unproven in prem, particularly without experience in another really competitive league generally don't hit the ground running.

    3. scootadee
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      maybe the worry of sanchez leaving.
      or chicharito/morata signings

    4. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Because Random Name isn't here

  4. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    a. KDB, Lacazette
    b. Coutinho, Lukaku

    1. scootadee
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

      love the name/grav 🙂

    2. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      b

  5. Sergeant Slaughter
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Never played in EPL
    Costs 10.5
    Lots of alternatives with less risk

    1. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Reply fail re: Laca

  6. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this latest draft? cheers

    forster
    Alonso walker dawson
    sane fabregas ramsey zaha phillips
    kane lukaku

    Elliot francis fletcher rangel

    1. Ninja Škrtel
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      pricey defense, weak mid.

    2. nonprophet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Daniels over Dawson tbh. West from good fixtures though

    3. TripHazard
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Don't like Fab & Ramsey, seems risky to me, but could work. Also better off going Foster and Cedric instead of Forster and Dawson to free up 0.5

    4. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Likeable but that subs bench is very weak.

      I think you ought to look for the cheapest way into a defence and as you have have identified WBA's fixtures for investment, I would change Forster for Foster and remove Dawson for a 4.5.

      I am not keen on that Walker pick. City are unreliable at the back and Trippier is better value.

      The milfs look an unreliable bunch and I would certainly be happier to see Alli in there.

      Uber forwards are not my thing either. Upgrade Fletcher.

      Rating: 3/10

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ouch! Thanks for the inputs, walker goes...

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Only being cruel to be kind. No one has managed more than 6 on my hater-rater so you are not the worst team out there. 😥

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Appreciate it bud, cheers

  7. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    DeGea
    Trippier Cedric Dawson
    Eriksen Sane Zaha Willian
    Austin Lacazette Lukaku(C)

    subs: Maenpaa, Phillips, Ward, Rangel.

    What would you change?

    Not sure who should start between Phillips and Austin.

    1. Hazardouss
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Grav 10/10
      Team: 7/10 personally just dont think its worth having all that money on the bench with either Phillips or Austin

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks for the grav rating 🙂
        With those SOU and WBA fixtures, I'm trying to cover myself by having 1 useful sub, either Phillips or Austin, depending on their form and involvement.

        1. Hazardouss
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yea they are juicy just hoping Austin starts then

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Change?

      Not keen on those gks - try Fosski.

      Zaha - for me he just isn't heavy enough for ff but he is 7.0.

      Would rather have Alli than Eriksen who looks well underpriced at 9.5 and is an OOP.

      There is much to like about your team though.

      Rating: 5/10.

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        I want nailed defensive cover from ManUtd, my dilemma was between Bailly and Lindelof but DeGea looks more nailed and equal in price to Lindelof, while getting Foster or Forster would make me to double SOU or WBA defence.
        Alli is very tempting, but I remember from last season that when all of Eriksen, Alli and Kane are playing, Eriksen and Kane tend to be involved in more of their team's attempts, while Eriksen always has set pieces to threaten from.

        One of my latest thoughts is if I should keep faith in Lacazette or switch him to Jesus who has proven he can do well in PL, even if he's a rotation risk.

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          At least you have thought all this through so go with your gut instinct.

  8. My Mums Athletic
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    A lot of talk about Pogba's number of shots last year (and if he can start putting them away) and the number of chances he created (and if Lukaku can put them away)....but not much love in the RMTs?!

    Too many ifs, or overlooked gem at 8.0 with a good run of fixtures?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      The fact of the matter is that he doesn't convert those chances into fantasy points.

      Monitor but avoid for now.

      1. My Mums Athletic
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Ha, yep, same page! Pog-troll!

  9. Hazardouss
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Is double city attack too risky? KDB and Jesus or could go Kun and Cout

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus & Phil, save the pain.

      1. Hazardouss
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Why's Phil getting an uptick in love??

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Play-maker? Always the spot he angled for? You think he was a LW?

          1. Hazardouss
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Fair enough

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I think Citeh could be a good source of goals at the start of the season as they have been for the past two seasons.

      I like Jesus. If I was doubling up, I'd be on him and KGB.

  10. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Hart
    Tripier. Hegazi. Bertrand (bradSmith. Rosenior)
    Ali. Coutinho. Salah. Eriksen ( Carol)
    Lukaku. Firminho. Austin

    Thoughts Ami good to go or get KDB instead of 1 of the mids) ?
    Thx cheers
    Thx

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Who is Ami?

  11. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    DDG
    Trippier Cedric Daniels Dawson
    KDB Alli Willian
    Kane Lukaku Austin

    Eliot Carroll RLC Simpson

    How's she looking?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pricy D/Gks.

      Weak bench. Not keen on 433 myself but I can see what you are trying to do. Carroll or RLC need an upgrade. Cheapen one of the 5.0s for a BRT or NEW defender.

      Rating: 5/10.

    2. Hazardouss
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Vanilla, can't really go wrong I guess

  12. Wakanda
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT guys

    Degea
    Vandijk,kompany,lindelof
    Eriksen,Zaha, Mcarthur, Ali
    Gayle, Lukaku, Lacazette

    Eillot,Hunemeier,Phillip, Rangel

    Have 0.5m spare.

    1. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Your bench is not good.

      Rangel wont play

      Elliot under threat

      Can't comment n Hunemeier

      1. Wakanda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        i chose my bench based on my remaining budget. Am i overspending on my mid or fw ?

        1. ChelseaKTBFF
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Basically get cheaper keepers. Two 4.5s that rotate well will do wonders.

          Then get Willlian for 7m

          Then get Trippier instead of Kompany

          It will start looking better already

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      De Gea good way into United defense but is he worth the extra 1 mil?
      VVD career undecided. If he moves good choice, if he stays Bertrand better.
      Kompany injury prone so do you have a viable defensive sub: No
      Not a fan of doubling up in midfield. Your choice but I would spread it a little. Coutinho?
      Mcarthur good choice if he gets gametime. Slight risk.
      Zaha about the best attacking threat at his price. Alternatives Chelsea
      Gayle best in his price bracket.
      Kaku obvious captain choice but do you have a reasonable alternative?
      Laca not tried and tested and expensive for a possible fail.

      Sounds all doom and gloom but I would adjust so only half of my criticisms appear.

      1. Wakanda
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        sounds like i need a makeover. Will readjust again

        1. Wakanda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          thanks for the review 🙂

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Not trying to beat you up but that is how I go about constructing a team. I think the key is, if you take a chance, make sure you have cover.

  13. Doinkster
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please join my league

    only 2 extra places haha

    106739-29861

    head to head

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pay me $500.

    2. CANDRI
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Will join now

  14. ChelseaKTBFF
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Sane or KDB

    Who is the better option?

    Is KDB wrth the extra 2 mil? (or however much more he is)

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      KDB, but both look a tad heavy?

      1. ChelseaKTBFF
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        D you think Sane will start?

        1. Netley Lucas
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Yes, LW.

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      He is but the problem is you weaken other areas esp in attack where most forwards are very pricy this season.

      1. ChelseaKTBFF
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        My attack is decent.

        Lukaku // Lacazette // Firminho

        and a midfield of

        Alli // Willian // KDB // RLC // Carrol

        So I have compromised on midfield because I dn't really rate the mid to lower tier mids.

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          You have two 4.5s in milfield with one a possible rub-a-dub-dub.

          L-zette is a bit risky too given he is new to the PL.

          1. ChelseaKTBFF
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            True but you have to compromise somewhere. Lacazette can be changed its not my biggest concern.

            I guess what the question now becomes is this:

            Sane + 6.5 mid and bench a 4.5 defender

            or

            KDB + 4.5 defender and bench 4.5 mid

            1. Jafalad
              • 14 Years
              6 years, 9 months ago

              The latter.

    3. Wakanda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      kdb for his consistency, quality and his play time

  15. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    KDB and King or:
    Jesus and Zaha

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      KGB/King.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        What I have now. Cheers

    2. Hazardouss
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      B

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Has 2 replies and I respect them both so I am none the wiser.

        1. Hazardouss
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          if chica is 7.5 i'd go A ahead purely because I love him 🙂

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            Price is key for me.

  16. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance Hernandez being 7.0 or less?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No.

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      No chance. I'll cut Torres Madge's toenails for a year if it is.

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        so 7.5 most likely?

        1. Jafalad
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          7.5 or 8.

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            6 years, 9 months ago

            for 7.5 would consider but 8.0 would be too much 😐

  17. BearHug
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Viable for the first gw?

    Foster
    Tripper-Dawson-Cedric
    KDB-Eriksen-Mkhi-Tadic
    Rashford-Lukaku-Austin

    Elliot-Carroll-Dunk-Rangel

    Keeping 3.5itb for gw2 transfer

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Ouch...Tadic, Rashford, Mkhi...boot, boot, boot.

      Rating: 2/10.

      1. Netley Lucas
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        What a trio eh? If you had 3 balls, you'd almost sacrifice...

    2. ChelseaKTBFF
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Reshuffleeee

    3. Wakanda
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      rashford prone to rotation since we have lukaku now

    4. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      I would look at points risks.
      Mkhi Tadic Rashford Austin.
      Then think if a couple fail, what do you have on the bench to soften the blow.

    5. DD
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Mkhi isn't the worst shout but I would wait to see how United lineup in the supercup. That game will be the strongest indication of United's starting 11 for gw1.

  18. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    how my team looks ? to much template ?

    fabianski, foster

    dann, cedric, mee, simpson, hünemeier

    sane, tadic, zaha, willian, loftus-cheek

    lacazette, kane, lukaku

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Gks: check
      The D: che....hmm...a little too cheap. Get Alonso.
      Milfs: Tadic and Zaha automatically loses you minus 5 points.
      Fwds: Probably a little too top heavy. Try Austin if he looks like starting and boost Tadic the Troll.

      Rating: 2/10.

    2. COYG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Not template, backline is light

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Your defense is only template on low price players. When a lot are going stronger defensively this year. Makes it far from template.

  19. Doinkster
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please join my league

    only 2 extra places haha

    106739-29861

    head to head leaguea..draft in 45 min

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Still waiting for my $500.

      1. Doinkster
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        haha only for fun

  20. COYG
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    rmt, dont know about sane but whats your thoughts?

    foster
    trippier cedric bailly
    sane cout zaha willian
    kane lukaku austin

    elliot mee carroll 4.0

    1. mogadishu
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Pretty decent tbh

  21. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Doosra up yet?

    1. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hope not. He gets touchy when I do his RMTs.

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        🙂

  22. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Soton has really great fixtures but there is real uncertainty on which players to ger

    Defence- Cedric Yoshida Stevens Van dyk Bertrand (cedric no preseason, berty and van dyk could move to a cl club, are stevens and yoshida nailed?)

    Midfeilder. Tadic or Redmond ? (are both nailed on?)

    Attackers- Austin or Gabbi ?

    Would appreciate if anyone could shed some light on who to get for Soton cover)

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Hot topics

    2. COYG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      imo bertrand, redmond and austin

    3. scootadee
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      i'm going forster, cedric and tadic.

      fixtures too good.

      personally every time i watch soton cedric and tadic look great so i'm hoping they reward my faith despite all the haters

  23. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Waiting for Chicarito's price... this is my team atm

    Begovic (Elliot)
    Trippier Alonso Kolasinac (Ake, Hunemeier)
    Eriksen Salah Ozil Gross (Carroll)
    Kane Rooney Mounie

    Cant have them all so tried to have at least one decent sub, 4 defenders who can score and avoid MCI's rotation. Thoughts?

    1. COYG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      who is mounie?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        First bandwagon of the year 😉

        1. skodaole2
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          This 😛 HUD's striker, new to PL

  24. Birds of Prey
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT please:
    Foster--Elliot
    Bertrand--Lind--Morgan/Yedlin--Hun
    Phillips--Ericksen--Coutinho--Ozil--Fraser
    Kun--Luk--Ayew

    Thx

  25. mogadishu
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Think I've got a solid draft. RMT

    de Gea Elliot
    Trippier Dawson Cedric 4.5 4.0
    Cout/Salah Sané Willian Zaha 4.5
    Kane Lukaku Austin/Gayle

  26. Seminole
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    RMT?

    Constructive criticism please other than the obviously weak bench.

    Foster
    Alonso Bertrand Daniels
    KDB Alli Willian Phillips
    Kaku Jesus Austin

    Elliot Carroll Dunk Rangel

    Could swap Austin to Redmond and play 352 if there is a question of Austin's game time.

    1. Hazardouss
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      up the bluebaggers
      don't rate 3-5-2 this year personally
      team as is looks good imo quite standard

  27. Doinkster
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Please join my league

    only 2 extra places haha

    106739-29861

    head to head leaguea..draft in 35 min

  28. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    DeGea
    Trippier Cedric Dawson
    Eriksen Sane Zaha Willian
    Austin Lacazette Lukaku(C)

    subs: Maenpaa, Phillips, Ward, Rangel.

    No money itb at the moment, so:
    A) Trippier
    or
    B) Ake/Daniels + 0.5m
    ?

    1. COYG
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      phillips is a bit of cash on the bench?

      1. COYG
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        But like it a lot and A if they dont sign anyone

      2. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        He is but the switch between him and Austin may prove very useful

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Phillips -> Carrol, use the funds to get Kane?

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 9 months ago

        Your plan requires to go without Trippier, so:
        Tripper->Ake/Daniels
        Phillips->Carroll
        Lacazette->Kane.

        Do yo prefer it?

        1. FPLtfs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 9 months ago

          Looks good

  29. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 9 months ago

    Defoe or Benteke? Benteke trolled me so hard last season, but has 3 great opening fixtures (Hud, Liv, Swa) and he scored a brace against Liverpool last time they met. Or maybe West Ham's new boy?

    1. Ramboros
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Benteke for me. 3 goals 1 assist against those teams last year, while Defoe only scored once against WBA, Watford and City. Those teams don't give away many penalties either.

    2. TokyoRed 東京赤
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Defoe for me but only because Benteke trolled me last season as well.

      I neither forgive nor forget.

    3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 9 months ago

      Defoe, but if Hernandez is no more than 8.0 then you should go for him as you will have he budget