Scout Notes

Pogba’s impact on Fernandes’ FPL credentials as Martial bags hat-trick

Manchester United 3-0 Sheffield United

  • Goals: Anthony Martial x3 (£8.0m)
  • Assists: Marcus Rashford x2 (£8.9m), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m)
  • Bonus Points: Martial x3, Wan-Bissaka x2, Rashford x1

Anthony Martial (£8.0m) blasted all other Manchester United attacking assets out of the water as he scored a hat-trick in Wednesday evening’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United.

There had been a wealth of interest in the Red Devils for Gameweek 31+ as the Blades were set to visit Old Trafford without Dean Henderson (£5.3m), John Egan (£4.6m) and Jack O’Connell (£4.6m) and it turned out that Fantasy managers were right to expect a one-sided affair.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men made light work of the visiting side, carving through the second-string defence with relative ease.

However, where the majority of managers were let down was the captaincy, with nearly 20% of voters in our latest poll handing the armband to Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m). 

While the Portuguese international was recording a first blank since his Gameweek 25 debut, he was a little overshadowed as a creative force in the midfield by Paul Pogba (£8.3m), who, himself was making a first league start since Gameweek 7.

The Frenchman was officially deployed in the deeper central midfield pairing with Nemanja Matic (£4.8m) but in a fluid set-up, Pogba pushed forward to sometimes step on Fernandes’ toes.

The latter was still a creative presence in the team but on this occasion, had to share those duties with the man next to him – arguably a factor in his unexpected blank.

That said, Fernandes was perhaps a little unfortunate not to come away with something, as he watched an excellent first-half free-kick from the left batted over by visiting goalkeeper Simon Moore (£4.3m).

Shortly afterwards, Harry Maguire (£5.3m) nodded in one of the midfielder’s corners, only to see it ruled out for a push on Phil Jagielka (£4.1m).

It is no surprise that the options in more advanced positions were the ones to fully capitalise on Sheffield United’s vulnerable defence, namely hat-trick hero Martial and left-forward Marcus Rashford (£8.9m).

While Pogba’s presence limited Fernandes’ monopoly on creativity, there is no doubting that the Manchester United attack is much more powerful with them playing together.

With such excellent service, the man spearheading the front-four was perhaps always destined to mop up the goals.

With favourable fixtures still on the horizon for Manchester United, there is almost certainly going to be interest in Martial, whose game-time was managed in the 79th minute. Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are the Red Devils next three opponents

Despite the two assists, Rashford owners might have hoped for slightly more from the forward. He had a rather mixed evening, linking up nicely with Martial but squandering a few chances to get on the score-sheet himself, much as he did against Spurs.

The most gilt-edged of those happened in the 12th minute when Martial squared to him from close-range, the England international uncharacteristically spooning the easy opportunity wide. Seven minutes later, Rashford spurned another opportunity, Pogba playing him through with a lovely chipped ball – but the forward could only swing an air-kick at it.

His owners are unlikely to have too many concerns going into Gameweek 32+ though, especially as it’s Brighton up next. Rashford, like Martial, Fernandes and Pogba, was hauled off as part of a quintuple substitution in the 79th minute once the game had been closed out.

That change helped Manchester United see out a clean sheet, their fourth in as many home matches. Those looking to invest at that end of the pitch for the Red Devils could do worse than Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) who assisted one of Martial’s goals. The former Crystal Palace man offered very little going forward when he first joined Solskjaer’s outfit but he is becoming increasingly useful from his right-back position. Between Gameweeks 1 and 25, Wan-Bissaka had assisted only once, but he has now set up two league goals since Gameweek 26.

Sheffield United’s attack continues to offer very little, registering a third successive blank since the Premier League restart at Old Trafford.

Chris Wilder made some changes to the team for this encounter, handing rare starts to Lys Mousset (£4.5m) and David McGoldrick (£5.4m), but neither was able to get into the game. The former was replaced by Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) at half-time, who had more of a sniff in the second half but could not trouble David De Gea (£5.3m) to any great extent.

As Wilder strives to find a solution to the problems going forward, Fantasy managers will increasingly target the Blades for clean sheet fodder in the remaining Gameweeks. 

We recently documented the improvements made to Spurs’ defence, so owners of Serge Aurier (£4.9m) may be particularly encouraged to see a trip to Sheffield United next on his schedule.

Meanwhile, Burnley and Wolves have been offering defensive options for the remainder of 2019/20, namely Nick Pope (£4.9m), Matt Doherty (£6.4m) and Romain Saïss (£4.6m), who face Sheffield United in Gameweeks 33+ and 34+ respectively.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba (McTominay 80’); Rashford (D James 80’), B Fernandes (A Pereira 80’), Greenwood (Mata 80’); Martial (Ighalo 80’).

Sheffield United XI: Moore; Robinson, Jagielka, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood (Berge 46’), Lundstram, Baldock; McGoldrick (Zivkovic 64’), Mousset (McBurnie 46’).

Members Analysis

View full match data in the Members Area

MEMBERS AREA HOME PAGE

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 31+

1,730 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Hairy Potter
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    89 all out on FH. That'll do pig.

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      85 all here on FH

      Time to nail the WC now

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well done . 90 here and very happy with this

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      100 with Auba to go. VvD should have scored, Son's goal was annoying offside and Richarlison was almost useless. Can't complain though 🙂

  2. Whazza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sergio Ramos scores again

  3. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft?

    Ederson - Button
    TAA - AWB - Holgate - Taylor - Robinson
    Mane - Son - Martial - Mount - Guendouzi
    Jesus - Rashford - Jimenez

    Jesus can be the next Martial types of explosion. Drool worthy fixtures after Liverpool.

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks great. Personally would go Bruno and DCL over Mount and Rash but I realise that's template

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Jesus could be gold but I’m still not convinced. DCL and ings are good value and could get Mahrez instead

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good. Personally I'd probably downgrade Jesus and Ederson to fund Mount to KDB, but that would be pretty much template and not going with your Jesus hunch.

    5. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all

    6. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No Wolves defenders could hurt you

  4. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on my WC?

    Foster / Button
    Doherty / Saiss / Alonso / Lascelles / Masina
    Son / KDB / Bruno / Martial / Sarr
    Jimi / DCL / Rashford

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No pool could hurt. I don’t buy into them resting salah taa etc

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nor do I any longer.

    2. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Only having TAA cost me 25 points difference with players around - need at least one of TAA, Salah or Mane

  5. james 101
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For those with their FH still, when are you planning on using it?

    Last week the most popular choice?

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      (That’s my current plan as my team is fine just now - but I’d love to hear a smarter one)

    2. umerlfc
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks like last week, also a feel good moment to bang it in the end

    3. Mr.SHaMBLes
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I like gw34

  6. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    11k ➡ 22k

    Non-wildcard nightmare 🙁

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      14k to 40k here
      In 2 gw's. I'm not enjoying it 😛

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Not many weeks to recover. We are underdogs. I still own Grealish ffs

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yes
          I need to calm down. Can get very hits prone under such situations 😀

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Where you checking this? Thought FPLlive wasn’t up?

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Working for me

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      20k to 25k here so far. Could be worse, but also could've been a lot better with a wildcard!

  7. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    About 7 years later and I still hate the bonus system.

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

      At least Fabinho, Trent and Mane all deserved BPS.

      Bloody Declan Rice getting baps yesterday on the other hand...

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      What happened in 2013?

      1. Begbie.
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Just meant that's how long I've been playing 🙂

  8. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    KDB to stay quiet tomorrow if possible.

  9. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    74 with 3 to play. That's quite handy.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      ok

    2. thehodge
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Quality that, fair play!

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    KDB isn’t getting 12 points is he? 🙁

    Bloody Bruno!!!

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ha. He easily could mate

      Take it you’re on 88?

      (Not 138 / 188...)

  11. InvertedWinger
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno to Martial too reactive?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mane - 1 golazo - 11 pts

    Salah - 1 golazo 1 assist - 11 pts

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That last goal saved ur bacon

    2. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      10* for Mane

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        9* bloody hell I get there in the end... long day

    3. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      9 for Mane no?

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

      Mane only 10 right?

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        9 if one bap.. otherwise nice post!

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I tried my best Whazza

  13. Ambrosiana Inter
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    93 with pope,last minute free hit after fancying the scout team...just went with martial over Fernandes, aurier over lescelles, Robbo over Trent ( ouch ), and Richarlison for Barnes.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice score

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lovely score

    3. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Beautiful score

    4. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well played

  14. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For next week which one would you start-

    A Holgate
    B Lascelles
    C Kiko

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Free transfers, BB into WC was soooooo over powered.

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The WC template smashed it this week too. This should be illegal

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        😆

  16. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Eve Leic better be a goal fest, pls

    1. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Doubt it going on current form

  17. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Coming back to this after FH’ing in the current one:
    Krul (Leno*)
    TAA - Doherty - Lascelles (Baldock Lundstram)
    KdB - Fernandes - Mount - Saka - Grealish
    Auba - Jota (Kun*)

    Obviously need to sort Leno and Kun, but the former can possibly wait so which is move is the best? All for -4
    1) Leno, Kun-> Martinez/Foster, Rashford
    2) Grealish, Baldock -> Martial, Simpson
    3) Lund, Kun -> Kiko/ AWB, Rashford
    4) Grealish, Kun -> Richarlison, Rashford / Martial, Dcl
    5) Jota Kun -> Jiménez Rashford

    1. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I wouldn’t take a hit
      Be patient with some players
      For now I’d transfer out Aguero as he’s injured,
      maybeto Rashford or Jesus

  18. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Scoutpicks didn't even have Marial so feel better just owning him.

  19. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On 80 with 5 to play. BB this week looking good.

  20. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    TC Auba?Y or N?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TC'ing an Arsenal player these days should be a bannable offence mate. I miss the days of Alexis TC in a DGW 🙁

  21. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On WC

    A. KDB + DCL + Boly

    Or

    B. Jesus + Jimenez + Holgate

    1. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wait until after man c game to decide which man c player

    2. chriscosta
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      b

  22. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    First time a team hasn’t had a touch in the opposition’s box tonight!!!... should refund those sorry away fans

    1. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Is that right?

      That’s crazy

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Just said it on Sky yeah. Crazy stat

    2. james 101
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Impressive comment on the defence top of course

    3. Volley127
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      To be fair there was only 3 other games

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Ever

  23. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    52 with 3 to play here, for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the high scores being posted

    1. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      59 with 2 to go. I'm with you

  24. SB007
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    90 on FH with Arsenal GK to come

  25. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I went with Patricio, KDB, Saka & Rashford over Pope, Salah, Martial & Nketiah.

    Was this a serious blunder or has it just not gone too well this week? 😆

    1. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Half of those players haven’t played yet, so too early, plus you should be thinking about 3/4 games with moves, not instant results -be patient

  26. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sterling to Salah? Got KDB

  27. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Played too safe in ML. Was going to get in Martial for Barnes but decided to save transfer and see what 2nd and 3rd in ML did on WC. Both brought in Martial so from being 4 points ahead now in 3rd 24 points behind. So some work to and need differential. Who do you think might be best differential in midfield or in a front 3?

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      damn mate that is bad luck. My rival in 2nd got Martial and has now caught me right up. I would go for someone like Alli or Pogba.

      Not sure what to do with Martinez and Aurier rising and Lunds dropping. Would you do Leno and Lunds to Martinez and Aurier today? thanks

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I think I would do Lundstram to Aurier-But unless playing BB in 32+ no need to get Martinéz yet.

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          cheers mate whats your plan made any moves yet due to price changes?

          1. dunas_dog
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Just going to have a look now- no changes yet. The irony of Martial is that I put on £10 bet at 35/1 for him to get hat trick - so some silver lining!

            1. Rinseboy
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              oh wow! that is awesome! haha I'm so annoyed my rival as cut the gap right down now with Martial and I'm itching to play my BB!

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

      Martial

  28. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance of Mane getting 2 BAPS?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks final.

  29. Sir_Durs8
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    106 with Ings to play. Wasn’t that mad to captain Martial after all!

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Credit where it's due, well done!

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Magic!

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bravo

    4. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well done

    5. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well done

    6. Sir_Durs8
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all. Will have gone from 119k before the restart to 15k rank after bonus is added. Couldn’t have asked for a better return.

  30. mrodgers91
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone watching real madrid game? Who needs ronaldo when ramos can hit free kicks like that