Dugout Discussion

Pogba and Maguire lead list of unexpected Gameweek 1 starters

Paul Pogba (£8.0m) heads up a number of players who have made an unexpected appearance in Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League.

It was thought to be unlikely that the French World Cup winner would feature against Leicester in the first match of 2018/19, as a result of his exploits in Russia, but he captains Manchester United at Old Trafford.

However, the biggest surprise starter of the night from a Fantasy perspective is Harry Maguire (£5.5m), who will sit next to Wes Morgan (£4.5m) at the heart of the Leicester defence. That comes after suggestions from manager Claude Puel that he was a serious doubt to play after going deep into the World Cup with England.

Despite the suggestions he would miss out, Maguire was still picked in 17 percent of FPL squads. His contribution tonight could end up unexpectedly making a big difference to the Fantasy landscape of Gameweek 1.

James Maddison (£6.5m) passed a fitness test to start in the number 10 role Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) was considered ready enough only for the bench. But even that is an unexpected role for the England man, and he could be in the frame for a start against Wolves next week.

Also on the bench tonight is Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) while Marcus Rashford (£7.0m) leads the Manchester United attacking line. Alexis Sánchez (£10.5m) has not been given the centre-forwards role that was expected, or at least, that is what the team-sheet suggest. He may well take up that position after all with Rashford also able to operate out-wide.

Fantasy managers who had banked on World Cup semi-finalists not returning to full action for a few weeks may be hoping these team-sheets don’t set the tone for Gameweek 1.

MANCHESTER UNITED XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Bailly, Darmian; Fred, Pogba, A Pereira; Sánchez, Rashford, Mata.

LEICESTER CITY XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeicheln; Chilwell, Maguire, Morgan, Amartey; Silva, Nidda; Gray, Maddison, R Pereira; Iheanacho.

3,287 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    3 Bonus LS

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      none for Perreira, got away with that benching

  2. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw - 3 (30)
    Pogba - 2 (29)
    Vardy - 1 (25)

    1. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Up the tics

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Shaw, the chosen one!

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      How does Vardy get ahead of Pereira

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pereira 'tackled' 5 times. Vardy 0.

    4. Francescoli
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      oooo yeah

  3. Keno
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Glad I brought in Shaw yesterday!

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Third one.

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      glad I don't have to live with you

  4. le flem
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Probably lost about 15 points through Vardy scoring.

    1. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Shaw TC?

    2. the snazzy viking
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      poor you

  5. It's only Carlton Cole…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Does Sanchez get the first assist? Rules state:

    If an opposing player touches the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is awarded. Should a touch by an opposing player be followed by a defensive error by another opposing outfield player then no assist will be awarded.

    Based on the above I assume not

    1. Chenku╰☆╮
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He shouldn’t. I have no clue why they awarded him

      1. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Mark

    2. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      When he smashes a ball into an opponent's arm, he gets the assist.

      1. It's only Carlton Cole…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        The hand ball was for the second touch. The first wasn't handball

    3. banskt
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Just sent a message to FPL towers using their contact form here: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/

      1. Oven Glover
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    4. Shiva_Destroyer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Absolutely wrong to award him the assist. Although Mark owns him so never know!

  6. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    21 points from Shaw+Pogba. I'll take that and run.

    1. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      You knew.

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Fourth one.

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      nice

    4. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well played.

    5. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same here mate, well played

    6. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Well played

  7. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    SHAW

  8. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Vardy?

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Consistent scorer

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        yeah and some juicy fixtures coming up for lei...

    2. Point-one short
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Decent fpl player. Wouldn't want him dating your sister.

  9. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw on 3 baps!!!!!!!!!

    get in!!!!!

  10. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Genuinely surprised Shaw is 3.6% given his game time pre season, United home fixture and price. I’ll take it.

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I’ll happily take it

  11. Football Heaven
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I joked earlier about Tc shaw. As if he just scored. I’d rather get in pereira tho

  12. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    The constant bashing on here...might try to stay away a bit this season. Twitter seems a decent place if you follow the right people.

    Those who had Shaw (me) got lucky, but for example I didn’t get McCauley’s ghost go. Ebbs and flows, just relax everyone.

    1. FPL Touches
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      A good opportunity to tell everyone you had Shaw, well taken

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, that too

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Follow @FPL Virgin and you’ll come crawling back here. Oh, wait...

    3. 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, I'm thinking the same. Might read the articles and follow people on twitter rather than read all comments on here.

  13. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pogba confirms no fixed penalty taker for United.

    Whoever gets the ball first takes it

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      shaw on them now

    2. Captain Roberto
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He said there is a list and that Alexis was top of it. But he was also on the list and just grabbed the ball.

    3. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Says he doesn't mind giving it to Sanchez next time.

      Though you could tell by is face that Sanchez was the name on the board for the pen.

  14. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    That Vardy goal in the end was terrible for me as Shaw and Sanchez(c) owner

    Not happy with the result. Now I need to pray for a Salah blank.

    1. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Salah will defo score vs WHU

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not happy with a result where your captain got gifted an assist and your non-nailed defender scored his first ever goal? Get out of here

      1. VFORVANDETA
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thia

  15. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Ricardo Pereira will be template on here in a month or so. Every you want really in an FPL defender.

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Apart from clean sheets.

      1. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        They've invested in new cb's. Once Morgan's benched they'll keep more.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      yeah, one less thing I have to change 😉 he looks pretty good

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, one for the wildcard!

    4. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Definitely a good option, great delivery

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    9 -4 from 1 .
    Any good?

  17. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw gets 8 or 10 points after bonus?

    1. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      11

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ? 2+6+3

      1. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thought it was 2 baps + 2 + 6 for goal

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      10 or 11

  18. Udo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Damn it, if I would have only know about that Pereira boy before!

  19. Lallana's Bananas
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pereira not given the assist on Sky?!

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lol at non- official fpl games

  20. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Team ville ronka

    Patricio - Stek
    Bednarek Robertson Mendy WB Peltier
    Jota Salah Rich Eriksen Mane
    King Aguero Kamara

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Stalker alert

    2. Sir Edo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Legend!

    3. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Must have early wildcard in mind. Doesn't look solid

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      its like an exam i got 7 from 15 is that a pass?

    5. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Where did all the money go?

    6. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Hang on, wasn’t that Scotty B’s final team? Is Scotty B actually Ville Ronka?!?

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        If that was true the world would spin off of its axis and we would all plunge screaming to our deaths.

        1. Point-one short
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Help me out lads;
          A) Certain doom
          B) Screaming death

  21. clodhopper
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pogba just handed pens back too Alexis

  22. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw bandwagon already lmao

  23. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    16 pts from shaw + sanchez? Yesss plsss

    1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No no that was no asisst

      1. Stats Don\'t Lie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Shhhh

    2. Eden Wizard
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lol at 16 points for £16.5 ish

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Makes for about 85 a week. Not bad at that rate.

      2. Sergio Giorgini
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        15.5

        1. Eden Wizard
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Lol at your maths

        2. Eden Wizard
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Oops thought it was DDG

  24. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thank fook people who got Shaw points will need to get rid soon! :p

    I'm jealous. So yeah. And a bit drunk.

  25. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Unless there are more pressing issues - is Sanchez > KDB a good shout for the first FT?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      If Hazard returns, he could be the one to get. He's the main reason I have Alexis.

      Obviously wait for the rest of the games and next week's pressers.

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Super Sunday will be more important than tonight's game with all the Liverpool and City players around. Don't be upset if you missed the Shaw goal. It's just one flukey goal from a player who isn't nailed on. The season is long.

    Hope that assist stands for Alexis. Don't think it will though.

  27. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Is this Shaw's first ever goal?

    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes first ever goal in senior football

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Well that 'aint gonna happen again until another blue moon. 😀

  28. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Luke Shaw having bants with the pundits.

    Top lad

  29. TheTwelfthMan
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Pogba said "maybe next game I can give it [the penalty] to Alexis, is not a problem, we don't have a designated taker"

    Alexis hype again

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Alexis is terrible at pens IMO. Some of those he took at Arsenal were dodgy

      1. Point-one short
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        True, he's not great.

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The point is, "I can give it"... is it Pogba who decides?

    3. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Whatever happened to “when Mata is on the pitch, he takes them”?

    4. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pogba so arrogant

    5. Captain Roberto
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      He is chatting nonsense. He said there is a list and Alexis was top of if but he just stole it from him because he is also on the list. Mumbling something about who ever feels good. He's basically nicked it off the designated guy. You can see Sanchez say its his ball pointing over his shoulder to the dugout when its awarded.

  30. banskt
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Good that Shaw scored. Pereira will remain under the radar. 🙂

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pereira will be replaced by Matic.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Ricardo?

      2. banskt
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        You know which Pereira 😉

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Stubborn fish 😛

      3. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Lei Pereira

    2. BIG TONES
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good that Shaw scored as he will get another game next week

      1. Ady87
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      this