Dugout Discussion

Pogba on the bench as United and Watford name unchanged starting XIs

The first of two Premier League matches to take place on Sunday kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with Manchester United the visitors to Watford.

Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Nigel Pearson have named unchanged starting XIs from the sides that lined up in Gameweek 17.

There is a surprise returnee among the substitutes, however, as Paul Pogba (£8.4m) makes the United matchday squad for the first time since the end of September.

Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) is also on the bench for the visitors, as Anthony Martial (£7.7m) once again leads the line in front of an attacking midfield trio of Marcus Rashford (£9.1m), Daniel James (£6.2m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.3m).

Rashford was the most-bought Fantasy Premier League forward of Gameweek 18, with just under 290,000 managers drafting the United striker into their teams.

The England international was also the second-most-popular captaincy option this weekend, having been handed the armband by over 800,000 FPL bosses.

Rashford has only blanked twice since a ‘two-pointer’ in Gameweek 8.

Both he and Martial were on target when these two sides last met in March.

Adam Masina (£4.3m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) are both fit to return for the Hornets but only make the bench.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m) gets his fourth straight start up front following his recent return from a long-term injury.

Interested is limited in Pearson’s troops from a Fantasy perspective: not one of Watford’s players is owned by more than 2% of FPL bosses.

The Hornets have only scored in one of their last five home fixtures, with that solitary strike coming from the penalty spot against Chelsea.

United are without a clean sheet in 12 Premier League matches, however.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenía, Hughes, Capoue, Sarr, Doucouré, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, James, Lingard, Rashford, Martial.


1,381 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DeathoftheParty
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Christmas miracle part one complete. Alli or Tammy to score... Mount and Son blank and Santa Clause is coming to town!

    1. sk24
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same

      1. DeathoftheParty
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Good luck brother

  2. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Been preaching all week how bad a pick rashford is vs deep sitting teams, guess it took this horrorshow for people to see the light

    1. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAD THE LAST LAUGH

      1. Not again Shirley
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Nice to see a fellow Partridge fan on this site!

        1. Planet Head
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Back of the net

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Owners dont want to listen to reason, no point trying to educate them.

    3. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You also advocated getting traore over Grealish and claimed richarlison would haul

      These smartarses never recall their repeated failed predictions

      1. lindeg
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Still think traore and richarli are good picks, i dont think rashford is until arsenal

      2. lindeg
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        And i btw never claimed richarli would haul, but liked the player and fixture

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

    Man Utd are horrific in the centre of the park. Most passes go backwards and now an again they may a risk and pass sideways. Awful. Must be so demotivating for the forwards, knowing it's pointless trying to make any good runs.

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I could be wrong. But I thought I heard a stat that United have played the most % of passes forward of any team in the league.

      But I agree that their ball retention is really poor in the centre of the park.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Exactly, that's why Pogba looked like a million dollars when he came on

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Don't have the quality, Lingard McTominay Fred, they can't pass and can't protect possession either ...

  4. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed

    What are Rashford owners doing? Is Newcastle going to be more of the same?

    1. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking of bringing in Kane(C) for a hit

    2. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Selling for Jimi. Then using the funds to do Maddison > Salah/Mane.

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping. Pogba will probably start vs Newcastle which is good for him. Might even see Ole playing him up front in fear of losing his job.

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Newcastle tight at the back, so yes I do expect the same hot garbage

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping ... got him from GW11 and have served well. Will give another chance vs NEW, if blank he is going out ...

    6. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      probably more of the same but keep so that I have an interest in the 17:30 match .... looking at selling for Auguero

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

    Would you sell Rashford next week? Against another deep-lying defence, and can't see much else to do with 2FT 0 ITB...

    Pope Martin
    TAA Lundstram Kelly Soyuncu Rico
    Mane KDB Maddison Alli Dendoncker
    Vardy Rashford Jimenez

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Rash is out for me, over-priced and not getting much in those games. The only hope I had of points from him was FK and Pens, even Mata just took the FK lol...

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      One more week for me

  6. beric
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Wouldnt it be great if mount scored today

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Owners think so

  7. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    35 points.. Eurgh.

    Kane (C), Aurier and Mount I need you to step up lads and get me to at least 60!

    1. DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Similar position 36 Kane C, Tammy and Pulisic. Need a high scoring game with Son and Alli blanking somehow!

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Time to pray!

  8. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Why didn't I captain Jimmi!

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Because you thought someone else would score more?

  9. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    jesus likely needs to go now with healthy kun right?

    A jesus to abraham for free
    B jesus to kane for free (have son)

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Im in the same boat mate

      Kun got like 5 min and ciry are away on thursday. I reckon jesus starts.

      I think ill hold for boxing day then switch.

      I know ings fixtures are looking tough but i think hes a very good shout still

  10. Bushwhacker
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    9”0-0

  11. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Drink smoke sofa partner cancelling sky sports and liaise on updates on here with four to go
    30 mins to go to make my evening

  12. T.Henry14
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    45 points + captain Son, Alli and Tammy. Hopefully I will have 60+ points at the end of the GW.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same here but on 44.

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Dream a little bigger

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Yep possible 80+ points

  13. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford --> Kane looks like a no brainer...

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Really? Considering it but not sure. Any arguments to convince me?

      1. pjanns
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        I'm waiting to see how Spurs does today ofc.

        But it didn't look promising today. Against the deep sitting teams United are poor. 🙁

        That Pogback is back, could sway my mind, but I really don't trust this United team.

    2. Taking the Mkhitaryan
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      What utter rubbish

      1. pjanns
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        It's rubbish that it is a no brainer?

    3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Slight price difference

      1. pjanns
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Money isn't a problem.

  14. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    To be honest I don't like him in my team anyway ...
    Rash>> Tammy/Kane
    Or keep for NeW just
    ?

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kane

  15. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Are Rashford owners captaining again next week? Look at that green fixture

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

      No chance in hell. May even just ditch for Ings

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Im actually thinking about Ings again, he looks good.

  16. jia you
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    McTominay and Fred have been getting praise recently but they were horrific today! Watching that game made me so angry... clueless performances from all bar Pogba!

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Agree,both terrible today cant even pass forward just sideways.

  17. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    With form and fixtures taken into consideration.... who would you say are the top 3 forwards to own atm? Price irrelevant.

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy, Kane, Ings

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        This

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Kane? Tammy? Ings?

      Vardy obviously.

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy, Jimi, Ings perhaps.

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

      1) Vardy
      2) Ings
      3) Jimenez

    5. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ings and Jiminez. Maybe Maupay next. Rest of fund goes in mid.

      1. JustPark
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy!

    6. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy and 2 others.

  18. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford owners/cappers look surprised.

  19. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Dear Santa

    I’ve been a very good dragon all year.
    All I want for Christmas is a Son hattrick and Kane blank. Please make this happen.

    TheDragon

  20. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Well Rashford(C) owners, it could have been worse.

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      🙂

  21. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Really hoping for a high scoring game here, would love a 4-4 or something similar, fantasy aside been a while since I’ve seen a end to end football match

  22. Mo Salah No Mane
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thanks for nothing Martial and Rashford.
    Thank God I still have a wildcard to play. Not falling in this trap for a 3rd time hopefully 🙁

  23. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    DDG MOM?

    1. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      She's fit

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      She doesn’t post on here.

    3. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A bad joke gone horribly wrong with the mistake.

  24. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    That Martial to Rashford combo near the end would have been a dream land !!

    That shows how this game is luck sometimes

  25. internal error
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    The last two results have reversed what Man Utd did against Spurs and City

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      True, straight out the window.

      Only team they helped there is Liverpool.

      1. internal error
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        For once lol.

  26. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Martial to Pogba the way to go this week

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Want to do it but afraid of January transfer

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ole said he's not going anywhere, his word means nothing though to be fair

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Haaland could save Ole,read that he will come only if Ole stays long term.

          1. Pukki Blinders
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            If things don't improve after the transfer window there's no way he stays long term... interesting though

  27. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    As a united fan its clearly bad when everyone else can see how bad we are against deep lying teams

  28. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Jimi out for rashford has cost me 20 points in 2 game weeks.
    As a utd fan I shoulda known better, it just makes it all the worse when they fail.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It was a decent punt, just didnt work

  29. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    @s should start to ban Rash lolers,as Rash(C) i feel very offended.

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      People have learned to post variations of lol@ that dont break any rules

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Don't get too annoyed by it . Those that do it are generally so limited in intelligence they really aren't worth bothering with.

      1. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

  30. SoapAFC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic not starting ffs, best replacement? Surely has to go at this stage...

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Elneny

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      If by 'this stage' you mean 5 weeks ago then yes, he should go.