Scout Notes

How United players fared in their last game before Double Gameweek 35

Manchester United bowed out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were outclassed for much of the second leg in the Nou Camp, losing 3-0 on the night following their narrow loss in Manchester last week.

Attention now turns back to the race for a Champions League qualification spot which, for those interested in United’s Fantasy assets for the season run-in, can only be a positive regarding rotation and managed game-time.

The Red Devils’ double-header against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City in Gameweeks 37 and 38 certainly appeals, with their participation in European competition now at an end (the Champions League semi-finals are scheduled to take place around those fixtures).

Whether many FPL managers will take a punt on a United asset or two for their upcoming Double Gameweek against Everton and Manchester City is another question, of course, given the calibre of the opposition and their so-so form.

We assess their latest display in the Scout Notes article below.

Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United

Manchester United’s current B-list status in European football was underscored on Tuesday evening as they fell to a 3-0 defeat in the Nou Camp.

There is no disgrace in losing to Barcelona, of course, particularly when Lionel Messi is in full stride.

The Argentinean highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams with a virtuoso display, scoring on two occasions and causing plenty of problems for United’s makeshift, ramshackle defence.

The visitors actually made a bright start before Messi’s two-goal salvo effectively killed the tie after just 20 minutes, with Phillippe Coutinho finishing the scoring with an excellent curling effort in the second half.

Marcus Rashford (£7.4m) struck the bar with a toe-poke from a fine Paul Pogba (£8.7m) pass before the England striker called Marc-Andre ter Stegen into action with a scuffed effort from distance.

Barcelona had an early spot-kick award overruled after VAR intervention but it was a positive opening quarter of an hour for United, as Solskjaer was keen to stress after the game:

We did well to get here and we could see the difference between the two teams. The quality of finishing was outstanding. We started well for the first 15 minutes and we thought we’ve got something here, and then in four minutes they scored two goals which made it so hard.

The attitude was right. We knew we were fighting against a good team with good players. We know there’s work to do. We’ve said all along that this won’t change overnight and the next few years will be massive to get to the level teams like Barcelona are at.

Messi capitalised on poor play from Ashley Young (£5.7m) to open the scoring on 16 minutes before swiftly doubling Barca’s lead with an effort that squirmed under the body of David de Gea (£5.7m).

Solskjaer backed his under-fire goalkeeper after full-time, saying:

That’s unfortunate with goalkeepers. When you make an error it can get highlighted and that’ll be remembered tonight. But he made some fantastic saves as well, which all in all, his contribution to the team is good but sometimes that happens in football.

From the point of Messi’s opener, United didn’t have another attempt from inside the Barcelona box until substitute Alexis Sanchez‘s (£10.0m) late header drew a superb save out of ter Stegen.

Pogba tested the home goalkeeper from distance while Jesse Lingard (£6.7m) whistled a rising effort over ter Stegen’s bar but attacking forays were few and far between once Messi had put the tie to bed after 20 minutes.

Lingard and Rashford dovetailed between the right flank and a more central position to little effect, while Anthony Martial (£7.2m) was disappointing (and looked borderline disinterested) on the left-hand side of a 4-3-3/4-3-1-2.

Having lined up as part a deep-lying two against West Ham on Saturday, Pogba was back on the left of a central midfield three in Catalonia but had no real impact on the game and both of his shots came from well outside the Barcelona box.

With Luke Shaw (£5.0m) suspended, Young was moved over to left-back with fairly disastrous consequences while Victor Lindelof (£5.0m) shifted across to right-back to allow Phil Jones (£5.1m) and Chris Smalling (£5.6m) to continue their unconvincing partnership at centre-half.

It needs to be stressed that United won’t face a team like Barcelona (or a player like Messi) every week but the Red Devils do face City and Chelsea in the next two Gameweeks and were far from convincing even in recent victories over Southampton, Watford and West Ham.

It is now nine matches without a clean sheet for Solskjaer’s side in all competitions, which will be of interest to owners of Sergio Aguero (£11.7m), Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) et al ahead of the Manchester derby next week.

Whether their European exit can refocus their efforts on the Premier League remains to be seen – if United can swiftly recapture the form they showed in Solskjaer’s honeymoon period, then their final two fixtures of the season will firmly enter Fantasy managers’ thoughts.

The Norwegian said:

We want to play these [Champions League] games again next year, so we have a massive week coming up with Everton, City and Chelsea.

They’re disappointed but there’s no point dwelling on what could have been. It could have been different if we had started better and we got the first goal but now we have to concentrate on next week.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.8m) may get more of a look-in this weekend after only being thrown on as a late substitute, while Solskjaer welcomed back Sanchez from injury and suggested the Chilean will have a part to play in the final month of 2018/19.

The United boss said:

Alexis has been injured now since the start of March so he’s been out for six weeks. It was important that he got 15 minutes on the pitch and for his mentality as well – he knows his knee is okay. He was close to getting a goal.

Hopefully, he can give us a bit towards the end of the season so we can push to get into the top four.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Jones, Lindelof, Smalling, Young; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Lingard (Sanchez 80′), Rashford (Lukaku 73′), Martial (Dalot 65′).

1,020 Comments Post a Comment
  1. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which set of players gives more points in your opinion?

    A: 15 matches
    gw35: Ryan (wol, tot) Duffy (wol, tot) Gray (HUD, SOT) Valery (new, wat) + Kun (c)
    gw36: Salah (TC) (-4)

    B: 12 matches
    gw35: Kun (TC)
    gw36: Ryan (NEW) Duffy (NEW) Murray (NEW) Valery (BOU) + Mane (c)

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Probably A, but could go either way.

    2. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A for me

  2. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    New plan. What do you think?

    GW35: [-4] Deeney, Dunk > Yoshi, Wilson (BB: Lloris; Duffy, Wilson, Yoshida)

    GW36: [-4] Foster, Duffy > 3.9, TAA (Triple Pool vs HUD: TAA, Robbo, Mane (C))

    GW37: Rashford or Pogba in (or both for -4)

    GW38: Gamble on 1 week punt, in for one of my wolves players.

    Foster, Lloris
    Robbo, Doherty, Dunk, Duffy, Valery
    Mane, KDB, Eriksen, Son, Jota
    Aguero, Deeney!, Jiminez

    1. V-2 Schneiderlin
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Looks good to me.
      similar team for me and I'm definitely doing the same GW35 move as you. Only wish I could get Rashford in this week somehow - but Deeney's price means its almost impossible without hurting the team structure.
      Good luck!

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        The only way I can get to Rashford like you say is to downgrade the likes of Son or Eriksen and take an extra hit (presuming I want to lose a BHA defender still), don't think it's worth it.

        1. V-2 Schneiderlin
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          me too - unfortunately Deeney is at an awkward price-point - not too many replacements
          I quite like the idea of getting Yoshi into my team though for the run-in

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep I like it mate

      Similar to my revised plan below! Difference is I only have Duffy as BHA defence so he goes now and that fire is dealt with!

  3. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just watched the captaincy Scoutcast.

    Don't worry they're clueless like us.

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero for me

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        If I had him would do the same. Currently on Jimenez but strongly considering Sterling

      2. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I'm still up in the air.

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          He's a big game player, will get 60+ in both if fit, everything to play for.

          Hat tricks vs. Chelsea and Arsenal in the last 10GWs. Loves the top 6.

          1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            I'm still up in the air.

          2. V-2 Schneiderlin
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 11 months ago

            you have convinced me! Plus my ML leader doesn't have him - could pay off

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero or Sterling.

      Top players, playing for a top team who need wins and a DGW.

    3. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Kun - hard games
      Son - risk of rotstion
      Erikson - safe
      Jimi - safe

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Whoever plays less minutes today between Raz/Kun.
      If both play 90, Jimenez for me

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Even easier if Spurs somehow pull a blinder and win

        Then Kun all the way

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          COYS !!!
          😉

  4. Bohemian Rhapsody
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why no one consider Arsenal anymore?

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Rotation and poor away form

      1. Bohemian Rhapsody
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        i see. agree.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Because Emery.

    3. Studini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I have Ramsey in, but only as an enabler for Salah FT next GW.

  5. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A) Laca
    B) Vardy

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy

    3. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy

  6. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Is there anyone going with Shane Long as a BB enabler?

    To my mind getting him with limited expectations (starting one of the two) and boosting a Brighton defender to a premium defender can rebalance a team a bit better, especially if it helps you with the Salah conundrum.

    1. Tronity
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Exactly what I’m thinking! Deeney > Long lets me upgrade Dunk to TAA/Laporte for -4. Makes my bench boost of Foster, Duffy, Doherty and JWP more appealing.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Exactly. Long will get 3 points (with anything more a bonus), Laporte probably 8 and then they can both stay.
        I'm concerned that other moves mean another transfer down the line (Gray will need moving on, as would Llorente or Ings) and an unsatisfactory defender (e.g. Watford or Wolves).

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I've had a look, it'd still mean the same amount of moves to Salah for me and losing the same players. Also, it leaves me 0.1 short of Laporte/Mendy for Duffy if I go Long for Deeney so no point really.

    3. Patrick Bateman
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      In exactly the same situation. Was gonna do Deeney to a 4.5 anyway to afford Salah next week. I'll be joining you on the Long BB option I feel.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I actually see the decision at the moment as being between Success and Long

  7. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys bottomed!

    Higuain, Maddison => Jimenez, Son -8 sound good?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      See how Spurs do tonight, -8 isn't great. Higuain needs to go.

      1. Ziyech on the Bench
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers TM, appreciate your feedback as usual

  8. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best replament to Murray?budget is 6.9(i have jimenez)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Wilson for me.

      1. Legohair
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Very good option,could outscore some dgw players too

  9. Delueze
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Salah/Maddison -> Mane/De Bruyne
    8pts penalty - worth it?

  10. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Need some help and advice here; I have Bench boost available and triple captain also.

    I have £5.4m in the bank...

    Ryan,
    VVD, AA, Lindeloff
    Stephens, Pgba, Sterling, Mane, Tielemans
    Vardy, Jimenez

    Guaita, Barnes, Ogbonna, Wan-Bissaka

    What to do here?

  11. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Just out of interest...
    A) Holebas (*only if fit) and Gray.
    B) Holebas and Ings
    C) Long and Laporte

    * would be Masina or Cathcart if ruled out.

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      C but none look that appealing.

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I'm default on C right now. Reminds me of getting Anichebe a few years back. It's an enabler ultimately to prevent further moves in the future.

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      It's a shame none of the WAT defenders are nailed, Kiko looks tempting

  12. JasonG123
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Which do you think is better:
    (A) Duffy and Deeney to Bednarek and Wilson (-4)
    (B) Deeney to Ings
    (C) Deeney and Ryan to Ings and Leno (-4)

    1. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      If your other keeper is a non-premium then definitely C

      1. JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        My other keeper is Foster.

        1. MASTER ROSHI
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah I'd go for C then

  13. Smurf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    For this GW only:

    A) Hazard (BUR)
    B) Sterling (TOT, mun)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      B

      1. Smurf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks TM. What sways you this way?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          2 games vs 1. Might change answer after tonight.

    2. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      the one with 2 matches always.

  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best replacement for Murray for -4? 8 million itb

    A. Rashford
    B. Gray
    C. Ings
    D. Someone else

    Already have Jimenez and Wilson.

    1. EL tridente
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Gray

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Gray? With 8 million ITB? Really?

    2. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero and stop being silly

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      D. Aguero.

      1. Wild Rover
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Wait for 'sorry I meant .8m comment' 😉

  15. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Arnie to?
    A) Wilson
    B) Gray

  16. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I’m never one to write out a plan for a few GWs in a row but just been tinkering and I really like this plan.... sure to be destroyed by injuries or CL surprises but here it is:

    GW35: Deeney, Duffy > Wilson, Yoshi (-4)
    BB this team:

    Lloris, Foster
    Robbo, Laporte, Doherty, Yoshida, Valery
    Salah, Eriksen, Son, Jota, JWP
    Kun (C), Jimi, Wilson

    GW36: Eriksen, Foster > Mané, Boruc (-4) and TC Salah

    GW37 save FT

    GW38: Jimi, Doherty > Rashford, AWB (2FT)

    I know it’s too much planning but it looks quite good. Agree?

    1. MASTER ROSHI
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      We have very similar teams, only main difference is I have pogba/hojbjerg instead of jota/jwp, if it helps at all I am considering deeney/duffy to one of three options -
      Kola + Ings
      Yoshida + Wilson
      Mendy/TAA + Long

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Thanks for the reply. Imo Wilson+Yoshi is easily the best of those

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Are you not worried Liverpool will rotate for the Huddersfield game to give their top players a rest.. I'm Sure Liverpool's second string players can do the job.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I expect managed minutes but not complete rests. We can’t afford to slip up at all and need to keep players’ confidence high

  17. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A. Vardy & Deulo to Laca & Redmond or
    B. Vardy & Dunk to Laca & Femenia?

  18. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling to Salah or hold ?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Need big info tonight for that move.

  19. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    A) Ryan to Foster
    Or
    B) Duffy to a watford defender

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Save free transfer

  20. Federico
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    BB35 still on, so can't roll over the FT. Any of these look sensible?

    A) Duffy -> Cathcart
    B) Valery -> Bednarek
    C) Vardy -> Firmino (next week in any case)

    Not sure I'll be able to manage my team later in the week, so a bit risky to wait for news on the Valery situation.

    1. Studini
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Probably C. Think Valery will be fine by the weekend.

  21. waitinginthelonggrass
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy to Wilson

    Or

    Almiron to Moura?

    1. Trilly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Almiron Moura

  22. Burger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Predict how many cleansheets in GW35 for:

    A. Brighton (wol, tot)
    B. Watford (hud, SOU)

    ?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      0
      1

    2. waitinginthelonggrass
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A 0
      B 1

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A would u believe anyone if they said 2

      B. 1

  23. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Those considering Long, given the risks associated, would you not prefer I.Success?

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I was about to post the same. I'd love some insight. Strangely I am planning on getting both 🙂
      One this week (with Laporte) for Deeney and Duffy...
      then
      to enable Salah (and 4.6 fodder), lose Kun and Jota.

  24. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Eriksen, Murray to Redmond, Aguero for -8?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      No

    2. Mingo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Not for me.

  25. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Vardy to:

    A. Lacazette (CRY, wol)
    B. Rashford (eve, MCI)

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

    2. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      C. keep for hammers.

  26. smix
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best 3rd striker ?
    Aguero Jimi XXXXX

    A. Laca
    B. Wilson
    C. Firmino
    D. Gray
    E. Llorente
    F. Ings
    G. Vardy ?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A or B

  27. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    So is mostly everyone that has the BB chip playing it this GW?

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yep, dont want to spend my few remaining FTs trying to construct a whole new BB for a different week in a SGW.

      Would rather hit this week and take my chances in the DGW lottery.

      1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Fair enough. Just feels like the construction of the wildcard team has gone out of the window. Care to share your team Claudio?

      2. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I constructed one and Deeney RC fooked it up

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes. Will use my FT to get rid of Duffy and then I'm all set!

      1. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        What does your team look like?

  28. waitinginthelonggrass
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Laca or Auba, funds permitting?

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Whoever doesn’t start against Napoli tomorrow

      1. waitinginthelonggrass
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        True

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I think Laca starts against Napoli so if so you know who.

  29. subhojit123
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys need a bit of help here. Whom should I transfer out of -
    1. Vardy
    2. King

    To get in jiminez

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1

  30. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What the hell happened to Brighton? They were always pretty compact considering but 0-7 at home to Bournemouth and Cardiff is appalling!