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The Technical Area – Martial Under Assessment

After enduring three straight draws against lower-ranking opposition to close out 2017 in disappointing fashion, Manchester United appear to have once again discovered the form that painted them as early-season title contenders.

Since hanging their new calendars, United have reeled off three consecutive league victories – by a combined score of 6-0 – and have restored a sense of optimism around Old Trafford. That has been reinforced by the arrival of Alexis Sanchez.

The catalyst for this recent improvement is clear. The reinstatement of Anthony Martial into United’s starting XI has rejuvenated the side, with the Frenchman frequently serving as the central hub of attacking moves. His pace and guile has provided a directness to United’s attacking play, and his involvement has instantly provided Fantasy dividends: after goals in each of United’s three victories, Martial already looks like one of the form players of 2018.

With Sanchez choosing the red half of Manchester, question marks now surround manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred deployment of his frontline assets. Yet on the basis of recent form, it is impossible to deny that Martial has staked a strong claim for a wide forward slot in their 4-2-3-1 set-up.

While the prospect of Sanchez has piqued the interest of Fantasy managers – potentially enabling the Chilean to take a place alongside Martial and Jesse Lingard behind Romelu Lukaku – it should be noted that United have often excelled this season when designating two holding midfielders to protect the middle of the park behind the roaming Paul Pogba.

In either set-up, however, Martial holds the potential of providing elite-level returns at a mid-level (8.0) price point.

978 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TooDifficuIt
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    is Mccarthy a good gk option?

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Butland?

      1. TooDifficuIt
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        maybe but then i would have to compare him with pickford schmeikel

  2. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start
    A) Jones
    B) ogbonna

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Og

    4. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      jones, if utd get a CS he’s 9 points

    5. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd start A

    6. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Jones. Never trust WHU's defence ever again (own Ogbonna, keeping him 2nd bench til I wildcard lol)

  3. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A. Sané, Elneny, Alexander-Arnold, Dunk
    B. Xhaka,Milijovecic, Otamendi, Maguire

    Rest of team
    Adrian, Pereyra
    Alonso, Mee, Tomkins
    Shaquiri, Mikhi, Salah
    Aguero, Kane, Firmino

    1. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      b

    3. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      b

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    5. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A long term, B short term

  4. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    hoping to put off any transfers until after cup games to avoid injuries/suspensions

    but thoughts on this sorry lot?

    pope, smelliot
    Alonso, ota, Jones, masuaku, mbemba
    arnie*, salah, sterling, lingard, son
    Kane, firmino, disapoitreing

    0.3itb

    it’s not the transfer i’m considering yet but the direction in terms of team structure

    A - downgrade arnie and get kun in (not happy about losing firmino against hudds), would mean having a rotation between masuaku/budget mid/budget fwd also
    B - small downgrade for arnie and get mahrez in next week, keep 5 playing mids and more balance, hide behind sofa when city play

    thoughts on the rambling?

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    2. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd do Kane > Kun and Arnie > Mane if I were you.
      Otherwise A, as I think Mahrez will regress.

      1. shotgunnufc - MANIAC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        can’t bring myself to lose kane, you can’t predict his scores via fixtures, could score anytime. but have considered it. Thx

    3. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Losing Firmino ahead of Huds seems mad, and it does feel a bit like chasing points to me now getting Kun in - was the big differential last week but if the template players (Salah, Firmino, looking at you two) had shown up we'd have nothing like the same qualms. After Burnley next weekend you might not want too many City players anyway - especially after the UCL kicks in.

      I prefer B - and if you're that worried about City, captain Sterling. I'm certainly considering it.

  5. LosBlancos
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So if Martial does well with Sanchez against Spurs, we should get him in?

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Perhaps

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Guess best to see where/if Sanchez starts and think again

      1. LosBlancos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        No need for ifs I think. You don't give a player those wages and not start him.
        But that's what I'm thinking

    3. TooDifficuIt
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      i think Mou won't be patient with him if he plays one or two bad games he will drop him

      1. LosBlancos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        You're probably right. Esp with Rashford looming

  6. St. Joseph
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Already use my FT for Salah
    Now, should i take a hit for Arnie's replacement?
    A) Shaqiri
    B) Albrighton
    C) Play Quaner (LIV)

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No

    3. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B, but if you can field a good 11 without the hit.. do it.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        This

        1. St. Joseph
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Quaner will start?

      2. St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I only have Quaner as a sub.
        and i'm not sure he'll play

  7. xtina
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    eriksen likely to start? could do a -4 for mahrez or just hold one more week

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wait

  8. MartialMatas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender 5.0 or under to go with my defence of
    DDG Adrian
    Otamendi Jones Ogbonna Kenny

    Was thinking of chillwell.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mee

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Mee

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

    Arnautovic to

    A. Mahrzer
    B. Sane
    C. Pogba

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      A

    4. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      B

    5. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cmon i need more of B!!!

    6. VFORVANDETA
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      C

  10. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Would you do Arnie to Allen for a hit this week to fund McBurnie to Wilson next week? If I get Shaqiri I have to play him every week but If I get Allen i can rotate him with Wilson.

    1. LosBlancos
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Don't get Allen, he may not be playing as a no10 after all.
      Albrighton could be a great pick for next week

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I have Mahrez though.
        what about Sako?

        1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          can get Choupo too

        2. LosBlancos
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          CPA are poor and have poor fixtures, but I think he's cheap enough to be worth it.
          I'd rather get Allen then after all, less of a gamble and will play GW31 🙂

  11. Irish Madridista ⭐
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I Think It Would Be More Fun To Capitalise Each Letter And See If You Can Get Away With It 🙂

    1. Kings of Lyon ★
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Capitalism is bad

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Spoken like a true King 😉

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I have friends on Facebook that do that.

      Drives me crazy

      1. Irish Madridista ⭐
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        The Worst Kinds Of People If You Ask Me.

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yup.

          They are instantly blocked from my newsfeed if they do it. 🙂

      2. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I do too, but their regularly posted bikini photos makes it impossible to unfriend them 🙁

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Block their newsfeed and snoop their profiles.

          Winner winner chicken dinner 😉

          1. Now I'm Panicking
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Ooh - didn't know you could do that! That's made my day! 🙂 🙂 🙂

        2. Kings of Lyon ★
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Source?

  12. Carcaju
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Help Please! 1FT ; 0 itb :s

    DDG - Elliot

    Otamendi - Alonso - Mee - Ogbonna - 3.9

    Salah - Sterling - Son - Lingard - Arnautovic

    Kane - Firmino - Depoitre

    A) Arnautovic -> Shaquiri/Choupo

    B) Arnautovic + Depoitre -> Mkhitaryan + Quaner (-4)

  13. Debauchy
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So many undecided this week. Hits should be used when you a pretty confident of returns for the incoming fella. Otherwise if you can field a decent 11 just sit tight and hope 🙂

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      True

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Sitting with Alli but as much as I want to lose him just can't decide who I want , even on a free

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty should read very

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I can't unless Danilo plays which is unlikely.

    4. Individual
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      For me it's I bench Arnie and play Oggie/Kenny, or bring Arnie out for Choupers to enable a potential Sanchez move... think I'll be doing it to try to capitalise on the Lambert revolution (lolz) at Stoke.

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Going around in circles myself with the Stoke "assets" who would have thought eh . I do have a playing(sort of) Alli so a little easier for me. Yeah tough times

        1. Individual
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          They feel like magic beans that are inevitably going to disappoint don't they? 1-0 Watford, Richarlison trolling sellers totes on the cards.

  14. Duffy Dunk
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lingard vs Huddersfield sounds exciting, but how big a risk do you think it is for him to get benched since Sanchez is there now?

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think it's a 50/50 risk, I will take that chance with other issues at hand

    2. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      If lingard plays well v Spurs then I think he starts that game, with mata the one who drops

  15. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys...what's my priority this week? 1 FT and 0 in the bank

    Adrian
    Alonso Otamendi Masuaku Mee
    Salah Sterling Son Lingard
    Kane Aguero

    Foster* DCL* RLC* Long*

    1) DCL to Ayew
    2) Lingard to Shaq
    3) Son to someone
    4) RLC to someone
    5) save and play with 2 FTs next week

  16. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Should I start Croucj or Kabasele?

    1. shearer9
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      *Crouch

    2. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Kabasele as Crouch won’t start

  17. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What do you think?
    Pope(Elliot)
    Jones Alonso Ota (Tomkins) (Wimmer)
    Sterling Mahrez Arnie Lingard Salah
    Firmino Kane(McBurnie)

    Bench is really really weak and Arnie is injured
    0 FT,0.1 ITB
    A)Arnie to Shaqiri or Sako or Fraser or albrighton (-4)
    B)Wimmer to Chilwell(-4) and bench Arnie
    C)Let Tomkins come off bench If someone else also does not play have to field 10 men.
    D)Arnie to Allen to fund McBurnie to Wilson next week
    E)other

  18. Ben the Mee
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Play Dunk (sou) or Ayew (Ars)?

      1. Kings of Lyon ★
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Ayew for me

        1. Ben the Mee
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers. Leaning towards that too

            1. Kings of Lyon ★
              • 13 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Aye, always go for the attacker

      2. Stevie B
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Vertonghen, Eriksen and Arnautovic -> Alonso, Mahrez and Shaqiri for - 4?

        Yes or No?

        Thank you!

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Nah

      3. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        A. Shaquiri, Xhaka, Maguire
        B. Sané, Elneny, 4.0 benchfodder

        Rest of team:
        Adrian, Pereyra
        Alonso, Otamendi, Mee, Tomkins
        Salah,Mikhi,Milojevic
        Aguero, Kane,Firmino

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          You already have Mikhi , is this a wc team ?

          1. Gudjohnsen
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah. Panicked after Aguero hatrick.

            1. Debauchy
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Ok , not liking A or B tbh . Can you come up with a C and D 🙂

        2. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Sane

      4. Haggis
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Who scores more in the next three:
        A) Hazard
        B) KDB

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Hazard

        2. Ha.
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          KDBae

      5. Carcaju
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Help Please! 1FT ; 0 itb...

        DDG - Elliot

        Otamendi - Alonso - Mee - Ogbonna - 3.9

        Salah - Sterling - Son - Lingard - Arnautovic

        Kane - Firmino - Depoitre

        A) Arnautovic -> Shaquiri/Choupo

        B) Arnautovic + Depoitre -> Mkhitaryan + Quaner (-4)

      6. Game of Throw_ins
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Lingard, Jones & Milivojevic ? Play one, bench two.

        1. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Play Jones

        2. Individual
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          V marginal, but I'd be tempted to play Lingard actually and bench the others - always tend to try to play the attacker as an instinct if I can, tho playing Jones ofc a decent shout.

        3. Rik Waller
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Play lingard

        4. Game of Throw_ins
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Cheers for the response. So no love for Milivojevic of course.

      7. St. Joseph
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Next 5 Fixtures

        LEI (eve, SWA, city, STO, BOU)
        STO (WAT, bou, BRI, lei, sou)
        Which one better?

        Down to Albrighton or Shaq for Arnie.

        1. LC1
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Shaq more explosive

      8. mdm
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Which option is better:

        A. Hazard and Allen
        B. Mahrez and Shaqiri

        Thanks!

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Probably B

      9. southernpacific
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Best replacement for Courtois cant afford DDG

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Pickford imo

      10. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Play:

        Masuaku (CRY)
        Or
        Wilson (che)

      11. pol
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Best GK to have as a starter each week:

        A- Butland
        B- Pickford
        C- Schmeichel

        1. turd ferguson
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          C

        2. Jimmy Boy
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Pickford

        3. Mo Mané No Problems
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Pickford

      12. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Shaq - takes set pieces, good player, chances of injury/early subs

        ECM - same goals as Shaq, 1 less assist, 0.6 cheaper. Risk of starting on the bench.

        Allen - currently playing 10, very cheap, chance of regressing to a CDM role

        Any thoughts?

      13. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Early ideas...(2FT)
        A)Arnie to Mahrez and Save FT
        B)Son, Arnie and DCL to KDB, Mahrez and Mcburnie(-4)

        First one is safer and allows two freebies next week. However think KDB could be gold next few weeks and is nailed which other City assets including Kun aren't. Want two City attackers too and feel he could be somewhat differential ish