Dugout Discussion

Pogba back in attacking midfield as Matic returns

Paul Pogba (£8.9m) owners will be delighted to see Nemanja Matic (£5.0m) back in the side for Manchester United.

The Serbian international has missed the last three Premier League matches with injury, which forced Pogba to sit deeper than usual.

Matic’s return should allow the Frenchman to play a more advanced role in midfield once again, against an Arsenal defence with just one clean sheet in the last six Gameweeks.

Also of note is the fact that defender Diogo Dalot (£5.3m) has been named in front three once again.

He played there against Crystal Palace and Southampton, lining up on the right of Romelu Lukaku (£10.8m) at the Emirates Stadium today.

Marcus Rashford (£7.6m) also keeps his place although we will have to wait and see whether he plays centrally alongside Lukaku or out on the left flank.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has named both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) in the starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 25.

He has also gone with a back-three of Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m), Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) and Nacho Monreal (£5.4m) while Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m) occupy the wing-back spots.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Özil; Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelöf; Diogo Dalot, Fred, Matic, Shaw; Pogba; Lukaku, Rashford.

1,439 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    With only TAA, Salah, Mane and Boruc for next week, would you play FH?

    1. bored by december
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      yes, in same situation

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, would say poor planning but at least we will have plenty for the doubles

    2. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd take a hit to bring 2 or 3 in & save FH for a big DGW

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think you have to unless willing to take - 8 or - 16

      1. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        What about - 12?

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          That works too

    4. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You could get in 3 big hitters for - 4. Then pray.

    5. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on your team

  2. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku was shocking today

    1. the german
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That first touch though. Defied what he is.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rashford & pogba & fred & Matic & Young & Dalot too.

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Agreed with Rashford being the worst of the bunch

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Yep

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pogba was worse.

      1. PastaFasul
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Loved Man U's new donut formation today against Arsenal.
        Big hole in the middle...sweet and flaky on the outside.

  3. the german
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Schmeichel
    Robno taa diop bednarek*
    Hazrd mane maddison
    Rondon king higuain
    Hutton-sterling-pogba-AWB

    Clyne should play now, right? Bednarek to clyne to field 11 players?

  4. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    LMS safety score anyone?

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      46

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      plse not this again...

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      46

      1. No_Mo_Salah?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Phew scrape through again. Thanks.

      1. No_Mo_Salah?
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bookmarked. Ta.

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          You're welcome and good luck!

  5. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any changes you would make or gtg for week 31? In particular would you bring in West Ham player over Wilson Maddison or D Luiz?

    FH and WC 34 is plan

    Boruc
    Alexander-Arnold D Luiz Van Dijk
    Salah (c) Hazard Brooks Maddison
    Vardy Huguain Wilson

    Steele Doherty Bednarek Gunnarsson

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      gtg mate.

  6. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on Charlie Daniels at 4.1?

    1. One More Hit
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Trying to weigh up jettisoning Bennett for him. My big problem is that it makes my only other obvious sub, Bednarek to Hudds defender.

      I’ve got 2FT and no players I’m willing to part with because of accrued value

  7. MMN
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lose 0.1 on both, who would you go for?

    A) Sterling > Hazard (eve, WHU)
    B) Jimi > Wilson (NEW, BUR)

    Guaita
    TAA, Luiz, Pereira
    Salah, Mané, Sterling*, Fraser, Richa
    Barnes, Vardy

    Button, Doh*, Jimi*, Kiko*

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A I think
        May want a GK

        1. MMN
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Oops, I have Boruc now not Button

    2. Karan14
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Was TAA injured or tactical sub?

      1. the german
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Injury i guess. But should be fine.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        injured/precaution

      3. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers guys!

      4. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Looked OK to me - assumed (until your post ) was to give him some rest for Bayern Munich /tactical

        1. Dreaming of glory
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          What for the sake of 4 minutes and with hendo at rb? Looks like a pre caution to me

    3. PlayPercentage
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Which is likely to be the DGW with the potential for most points (such as 2xCity or 2xLiverpool matches)?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Liverpool don't have a DGW.

    4. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling @102.0 on fplstatistics.co.uk 😆

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Nice I'm going to earn 0.1 before selling him

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          This.

          He's just the gift that keeps on giving 😆

          1. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            This

        2. LewanGOALski
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          same, hope he rises

        3. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I'm tempted to keep! No WC to bring him back in GW34.

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Easy decision really unless you want a hit both ways.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Him rising & Hazard not rising in price tomorrow would be great 😛

      3. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        nice, hopefully he rises and mane stays so i can bank a profit.

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          2 weeks ago, I did Son and Salah to Sterling(C) and Mané for a hit. This week it paid off big and now I'm going to get a £0.1m profit too!

          Who are these eediats buying Sterling now 😆

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            dunno, but god love em!! sterling(c) here too paying dividends. cant wait to get him back on FH and then WC

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Same plan here, going to swap him for Hazard for now and get Wilson in too for a hit, then we're all set for BGW31 🙂

      4. ㅤRising
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Come on casuals transfer in the hat trick hero

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          They must be doing it in droves 😆

    5. Bobby
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      how many teams are likely to play twice in GW 32, and when will we know for sure?

      1. chelseabrad
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        After gw31 deadline

    6. chelseabrad
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If i activate FH chip now, I can still make unlimited free transfers up until deadline, right?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        yes

      2. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Affirmative

      3. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Gonna need a HT to quell the torraid of FH questions, I think... 🙂

      4. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        yezza

      5. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Pseudo WC 😉

    7. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      If anyone would like to discuss and reflect on this GW in a live steam podcast where last night one of the hosts jumped upto 45th OR then tune in at 7pm over at
      youtube.com/elitefplpodcast

      Thanks for support

    8. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hey all. 1xFT, 1.0 ITB.

      Thinking of Sterling Camarasa --> Mane Fraser (-4)...?

      Fabianski/Boruc
      Robertson Pereira - Doherty AWB Bednarek
      Salah Anderson - Pogba Sterling Camarasa
      Higuain Vardy - Jimenez

      🙂 cheers in advance

      1. Captain Beefheart
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Good transfers, do it, Av just done Son to Mane, Ryan to Boric, minus 4

        1. Top Lad Dakes.
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          cheers. hoping to make a profit on sterling then will do it.

    9. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Qualified for the next round of FFS cup thanks to Raz ©.
      Was paired up with manager with OR 221 😮
      Lucky me 😛

      Hopefully won't get a Free Hitter next round

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Well done, luck of the draw.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Definitely.
          Cheers TM 🙂

      2. Party time
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Nicee congrats! 🙂

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            You must have stormed into next round buddy 😀
            93 is awesome score this gw

            1. Party time
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Oh yes. I can only hope for more of the same,sincerely it feels good. Salah(C) locked in for next gw. I hope he finally does his thing

                1. Amey
                  • 5 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Same here 😉

        • Tcheco
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          What needs to happen for Chelsea DGW32 to be confirmed?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Beat EL opponents.
            3-0 ahead in the fixture 😉

            1. Tcheco
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Cheers
              Hazard time

        • Atimis
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Should be on 57 after BPS but I’m massively disappointed as instead of planned Pogba Jim to Fraser Vardy, I’ve done only Puncheon to Brooks...
          Also, change C from Mane to Kun, still waiting for the better days!!

        • Dr. Agabuse
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Questions from an Arsenal fan:

          I didnt see the first half. Just highlights with Lukaku + Fred hitting the post and at the beginning of the second half it seemed a matter of time until Utd would score. The penalty wasnt one for me but after that, the game was over and no nerves is a big improvement as opposed to prior seasons. Maybe its being negative but I dont see this as a sign of strength so much. Away to Leicester and so many other taff games. Afraid, we're gonna bottle it.
          Just hope Chelsea and Spurs are even worse.

          Whats your impression of the game and season to come?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            United looked complacent.
            Arsenal defended brilliantly.
            It's going to the wire imo with CL places

          2. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Agree as an Arsneal fan, I see Arsenal dropping points a few times away to Everton, Leicester, Wolves, Burnley and Watford.

            I don't mind a team having little possession, but I do feel like it wasn't Arsenal's plan A to let United take ALL the possession haha. It seems like Arsenal don't have the ability except on the (not frequent enough) occassions in which they put something together in attack.

            I guess next season could be a big improvement once some of the personel changes are getting sorted (No Ramsey and hopefully no Ozil debacle), but possibly not if they don't get top 4 or EL trophy.

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              together on the counter*

            2. fedolefan
              • 9 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Not Burnley. I think they may be on the beach by then. It's the last game of the season. The rest I agree. Could lose all of those away games.

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Never know with Arsenal. Nor Burnely tbh. Depends on beachiness, but then pressure-off might help Burnley confidence too.

          3. fedolefan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Same impression about conceding any minute, but the United team basically had no energy after about 65 minutes. Ole, for all his greatness, showed a bit of tactical naivety by not realizing he had the game by the scruff of the neck and introducing more pace. He delayed introducing Martial and by then the second was scored and United were never going to do anything.

            For the season, there's plenty of tough games, Wolves, Everton, Watford, Leicester but the others have tough games too. Too close to call top 4 I think but with Mkhi, Ozil back, there's form there.

            1. Dr. Agabuse
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              i hope Koscielny and Sokratis partnership can be decisive. No injury there and Mustafi benched is our chance. Monreal in back 3 + Kola out wide and 2 strikers seems our strongest option, Just a shame Bellerin wont be back for the run in

              1. Deulofail
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                I really hope to see the back of Mustafi in the Summer. I don't know if Jenkinson or Chambers of Mavropanos are going to help much to improve the defence, but surely waving goodbye to Mustafi will!

                1. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Even Holding may be an upgrade in the long-run. He's not been so terrible when featured this season

        • pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          My transfer of the season may just be Rondón for Rash in 27.

          I wonder if people may be buying into OGS hype of Rash a bit.

        • Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Got a transfer to burn with FH32.
          Is Mariappa nailed (will only get if Watford win in the cup to cause a DGW of FUL, hud)?

          King or Wilson til the end of the season? No wildcard.

          1. fedolefan
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Wilson. King shouldn't even be an option when Wilson is fit.

            1. Eytexi
              • 5 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              So King to Wilson a good move rather than wasting a FT?

              1. fedolefan
                • 9 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                Oh, if it stopped wasting a transfer, I'd do that.

        • dee_top
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Guys, need some help with transfers for GW31, 1FT, 1.2 INB

          Etheridge*
          Digne Robbo TAA Diop
          Salah Hazard Son* Puncheon
          Vardy Rondon
          Subs: speroni*, Kun*, Kola*, Ward-Prowse*

          A) Speroni + Ward-Prowse to Boruc + Fraser (-4)
          B) Speroni + Son to Fabianski + Fraser/F.Anderson (-4)
          C) Speroni + Ward-Prowse to Fabianski + Brooks (-4)
          D) Something else?

          FH at GW32, WC 34

        • *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          And relax...

          https://i.imgur.com/zVJngM1.jpg

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Missing a few good players.

            1. dee_top
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              For example?

              1. Dynamic Duos
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                wilson , fraser, azpi

                1. *sigh*
                  • 12 Years
                  5 years, 1 month ago

                  Could have brought Azpi and Clyne but went for Rice and Luiz instead with my 2 fts this week. Decided an extra bench player better than swapping Barnes for Wilson. Such is life.

            2. *sigh*
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              This is what happens I suppose when you bring in players weeks in advance and others return from injury/form. It will do me for 31 and 33 with no hits.

          2. Dynamic Duos
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            very nice, great team, fh? hits (how many)? free?

            1. *sigh*
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              For free DD. Free hitting gw 32, wc 34, bb 35 etc.

              1. Dynamic Duos
                • 10 Years
                5 years, 1 month ago

                nicely done.

          3. The Ejiptian King
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Love that Pereira can't even get into a blank GW team.

        • Dr. Agabuse
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Have 2Ftsand could make it 8players fo GW31.

          Have 5 from Utd and Woves and was thinking Free Hit now and have a GW32 with 6DGWs but now I see that theyres likely more teams with DGWs in 32?

        • TRIPOS TOPPER
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          scores on the doors cowboys and cowgirls?

          for me: 54
          and the smallest green arrow (climbed 110 places)

          1. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            90, big green to improve my poor OR: 230k to 110k.

          2. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            65, 5k green arrow

          3. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            76. Climbed 10,799 places 😀

          4. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            50. Small red (27k to 31k).

            Feels worse given premiums blanked, and a GW31/33 asset got injured. (Maybe two, but we'll see).

          5. Planet Head
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            77, up to a career high OR 7,564 😀

          6. ddande
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            105 huge green arrow

            1. dee_top
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              68 pts, from 1.7k to 1.2k

          7. MMN
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Rank nosedived since new year from 13k to 278k. Last week's 3 point captain villain Raheem turned into this weeks hero.

            113 (-4) all out to save the season. Back up to around 100k.

        • marquinhos
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Alright guys, which is best Bou asset?

          1. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Wilson

          2. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            I like Fraser, good price too

            planning to get him for next week in place of Son

          3. YEAH PITCH!
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Overall, I would say Fraser.

        • Peanut Butter Jelly Time
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          I have 2 free transfers but would like to play my free hit...

          Anyway i can make the 2 transfers (to prepare for the future) and then play my free chip?

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Nope

          2. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            no

            the team will reset. the week after

        • Captain Beefheart
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Am starting to get peed off with FF now, Av usually got half a clue how to play, had a couple of top 10k finishes, a few top 50k but can't seem to get it right this year, I might take up masterbation instead.

          1. Bobby
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            seems like a very short term solution

            1. Captain Beefheart
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Bit personal that

          2. Eytexi
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Well this post took a turn

            1. Captain Beefheart
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Sorry, it's the frustration!

          3. Amey
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Triple Captain ??
            😛

            1. Captain Beefheart
              • 10 Years
              5 years, 1 month ago

              Av somehow conspired to cock that up to, it's reduced to a SGW

          4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            quite a few of us are playing like w****kers this season

        • i am jose mourinho
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Look at my stupid team. Anyway reached 104 points
          Schmeichel
          Magiure taa ake
          Sterling hazard mane tielemans
          Calvert deneey auba

          1. i am jose mourinho
            • 5 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Sterling (c) ofc

          2. Captain Beefheart
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            That's a S#/£e team that, well done!

        • Fpl Old Guard
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Anyone captain Pogba again?

          1. TRIPOS TOPPER
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            got rid for Mane 🙂

        • Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Gonna make this simple :
          For 31 and 33...

          A) VVD, Son, Pogba, Moutinho, Rash
          B) Ake, Mane, Hazard, Fraser, Wilson (-16) 🙂

          1. MMN
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            B naturally