Paul Pogba revives his Fantasy stock, though Jesse Lingard’s rapid ascent as a cut-price midfield option dominates proceedings as Manchester United ease through the gears to see off Everton.
Lingard’s sublime second strike for the visitors at Goodison means he now has seven goals and two assists from the last nine Gameweeks.
The reaction from Fantasy Premier League managers has been instant. Lingard is the top transfer target ahead of Gameweek 23, with 42,000+ making the move. That has seen his price rise to 6.2 overnight, with a further rise looking likely prior to the next deadline.
Lingard had already proved a popular figure even before his effort on Merseyside.
He was signed by 94,000+ ahead of Saturday’s deadline and was second only to Roberto Firmino for transfers in ahead of Gameweek 21, claiming over 303,000 new owners.
It’s difficult to question the move for Lingard at present. Although shifted from a No 10 position to a role on the left at Goodison Park, he still managed to float into central areas and was only denied a second goal by a superb Jordan Pickford save.
Indeed, since cementing a run of starts from Gameweek 14 onwards, his total of 13 shots on target is matched only by Mohamed Salah among FPL midfielders. He easily tops the United ranks for shots over that period and is also second only to Juan Mata for chances created.
That combined threat and creativity, coupled with a modest price tag, creates a very strong case for inclusion in our midfields at this time, even with competition so fierce.
And yet Pogba also used Monday’s match to highlight that he cannot be totally overlooked.
Restricted to just one penalty area touch in his three appearances since returning from suspension in Gameweek 19, Pogba was given more freedom to join the attack against Everton.
The inclusion of Ander Herrera in the starting line-up allowed Pogba to influence matters in attack and he had eight touches in the box, including two of his four shots on goal.
Pogba ended the match with two assists and a maximum bonus return to deliver a first double-figure score since Gameweek 12. However, he is still without a goal in seven starts.
The Frenchman was sold by 73,000+ ahead of Monday’s match, losing 69,000+ in net ownership over the last two Gameweeks.
The emergence of Lingard will do little to reverse that trend, though with an Old Trafford meeting with Stoke City up next, there is surely an incentive for his remaining 633,000+ manages to sit tight.
Trips to Burnley and Spurs then follow – both altogether more testing fixtures for United’s attack.
United Defence Back on Track
A run of just one clean sheet in seven was halted by the goalless draw with Southampton in Gameweek 21. With another clean sheet achieved at Everton, confidence in Jose Mourinho’s backline is being restored.
David De Gea continues to stretch out in front in the overall goalkeeper standings on 114 points, edging ahead of Burnley’s Nick Pope for points per match (5.2 vs 4.9).
Phil Jones – at 5.6 to De Gea’s 5.9 – is the alternative cover in the United defence.
Surprisingly, the centre-back started again for a sixth successive Gameweek, destroying the theory that he may struggle to chain appearances together over this festive period.
That should reassure us on his prospects from this point on, with a clean sheet against the Potters in Gameweek 24 on the cards.
Jones is currently the most signed defender ahead of Gameweek 24.
However, Mourinho’s new outlook on Luke Shaw also has to be considered. The left-back has now started and completed 90 minutes in each of the last three Gameweeks.
Priced at just 4.9, if Shaw can show that he has cemented a starting role, there is no question that he is another asset to consider.
Concerns Mount for Calvert-Lewin
While United’s assets enjoyed a revival in Monday’s meeting, confidence in Everton as a source of Fantasy talent took a blow.
Wayne Rooney‘s recall to the starting XI failed to produce returns for a player now part of 922,000+ FPL squads. Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was handed a rest with Oumar Niasse leading the Toffees attack.
Calvert-Lewin’s potential as a cut-price third or even second striker will come under scrutiny from this point. He has produced just a single goal in six Gameweeks and, with Sam Allardyce confirming a bid for Cenk Tosun, it’s clear that his role and minutes could soon be reduced.
Everton failed to register a shot on target against United, with Allardyce making it clear that the club is moving to address matters in attack.
“We know where our problems are, the club knew before I got here that was the problem. We’re trying to cure that in this window by getting a frontline that can threaten and score goals.”
In defence, Jonjoe Kenny was also handed a rest after struggling in the 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth in Gameweek 21. It remains to be seen if he is handed a recall over Mason Holgate at right-back for Friday’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool, with a visit to Spurs to follow in Gameweek 23.
