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’).

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FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 31+

1,730 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Next season is going to be fascinating.

    City back to their best.
    Chelsea with Ziyech and Werner.
    United purring with Bruno and Pogba.
    Arsenal with David Luiz.

    Going to be fun.

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

      And all our teams will look the same as usual 🙂

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal shouldn't be in the conversation.

      Wolves on the other hand.....

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

        You need some fun

    3. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Tottenham with Mourinho's first full season...

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

    FPL aside all Liverpool goals were top class

    TAA FK - not much needs to be said
    Salah goal - amazing ball from Fab, lovely touch to create the angle and a finish to match
    Fabs goal - Banga
    Mane goal - unreal ball through, just out of Cahill's reach and weighted on point. Slotted away nicely from Mane

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

      This

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

      Best team I've seen in the Premier League

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

        IMO 17/18 City were even better.

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

      Exactly. Perfect football

  3. mr. inconspicuous
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone playing their free hit for gameweek 32?

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

      Played it

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

      I have it, but not sure when im going to play it. Not this week tho

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

        Maybe for 33, and load up on Man U(Bournemouth), City(Saints) and Pool(Villa).

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

          33 or 34

  4. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    From 97k to 153k and counting in two GWs. A top 100k finish will take some effort and luck now…

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

      How to check current status ?

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

        Fantasy fix app

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

          Thank you

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

        And livefpl.net/rank 🙂

  5. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not one to gloat but 98pts All out.

    😀

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

      Not bad. FH?

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

        yeah FH

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

      Nice mate... fair enough to post points when you've clearely done well

      The ones that get me are the ones where they post '65 pts with Sarr to play :cool:' when the average is 64...

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        65 with KDB and Pope to play

        🙂

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

          Flippin smashed it matey 😉

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

          could be nice

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

        haha

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

      96 here but all out too. Lets hope kdb blanks

      Id take 1 attacking return at this point nothing more

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

        Nice

        Yeah same

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

        wow great score

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

          Thx. So is yours!

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

        Second time ever 100 pts or more, unless Auba gets red card, which nay happen with my luck.

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Awesome score mate. Well done! Assume you had Martial?

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

        Thanks

        Yeah had Martial on a FH.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Lovely! Was so close to pulling trigger on him over Rash ok my WC but chickened out!

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Was chasing in my ML so decided to go without kdb but strong week means im actually ahead now

    Do i just get KDB now to protect the lead?

    Was going to get him back at some point

    1. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think you can wait for next matches, if KDB start against LIV he can be rested in next

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah thats the flip side.

        I dont have a captain tho and hed be my choice for nxt week

  7. Winter_is_coming
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would you play bench boost this Gameweek with players lower? Just to use it and forget, while all players nailed to start.

    McCarthy (wat) - Boly (avl) - Fernandez (bou) - Fleck (TOT)

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

      The fixtures are decent enough. Not expecting much from Fleck.

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      seems fine, would at least expect one of those three defenders to get a cs or a assist/bonus and with Fleck you never know, somewhere between 10 and 15 points?

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

      Remeber theres fa cups games after the deadline. I.e fernandez could get injured v city.

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

    No bonus for Salah is an absolute disgrace

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He would have double his score if he wasn’t so selfish

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Tbf he tried to pass a lot more than usual today 😆

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

      His own fault. Some disgracefully selfish decisions at the end leading to chances missed and dispossessions

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

    83 KdB to go

    ^ rank 2873

    Happy with that:)

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

      Nice job you must've tried hard

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

        Yeah I spend too much time pondering haha. Luckily it pays off... season not over yet tho

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

    Ederson

    Trent, Doherty, Lascelles, Lundstram

    KDB, Martial, Salah, Grealish

    Auba, Jimenez

    Leno, Egan, McBurnie, Cantwell

    0,1 itb 2FT

    Lundstram & Ederson to Aurier & De Gea seems like a good move right?

  11. Pia06rc
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do with Tammy Abraham, lost his place now?

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

      Remove

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

    Inside the top 10K for the first time this season. Not sure how long it will last but I'll take it. 🙂

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nice one mate!

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

        Ta. Not doing bad yourself mate.

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Yeh I’m happy. Hoping to finish strongly. I’d be happy with a top 25k finish if I can cling on!

  13. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Came on here pleased with my 72pts with KDB and Pope to play and see a raft of 80s and 90s with 4 to play 😆

    I’m gonna stay pleased. Up from 72k OR before the restart to 20k tonight.

    Bring on the run in and of course the title (IRL) 😉

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

      Look at my score. 😀
      You'll be happy bro

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Never happy to see you not doing as well Amey!

        That was quite a punt to put armband on DCL!

        Can’t believe we’ve finally switched places in OR though. All to play for 😉

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

          You've taken a strong momentum !!
          I don't think i can catch up now 😀

          Very happy for you though. Keep it up bro

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks matey. Like to try and finish strong after an awful mid-season!

            Will be interesting to see if I can get something good out of a FH GW38+ if that’s the way I go.

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

      Nice job. Jealous of your super strong BB. I started ahead of you but now have fallen behind.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you mate! Yeh it worked out well thankfully. I was so close to dropping Rash for Martial just before this week's deadline on WC but shoulda coulda woulda!

        Where you sitting in OR now, Camzy?

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

          33K. I had a good week. 74 with Pope, Ings and KdB to play.

          1. Don Kloppeone
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Ings could be absolutely golden this week imo!

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

              He really could be. Double digits is absolutely possible against a crippled Arsenal.

              1. Don Kloppeone
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Definitely. I tried to get him in on my WC drafts but it meant sacrificing elsewhere and I decided against. Hope he hauls for you

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

    On WC

    A. KDB + DCL + Boly

    Or

    B. Jesus + Jimenez + Holgate

    Replies appreciated

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

      A

  15. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Have had a good GW, finally. So want to get on with the momentum. Would you BB this lots GW31?

    Pope McCarthy
    TAA AWB Doherty Aurier Egan
    Salah KDB Bruno Martial Sarr
    Jimenez DCL Ayew

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      *GW32

  16. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sort the best 3 for the remaining fixtures

    A) Rashford
    B) Bruno
    C) Martial
    D) AWB

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

      BCAD

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

      ACB

    3. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Before today's game Martial was at the bottom of the pile but I went with him because he's an OOP midfielder with the support of all those other options behind him. Best value as well.
      Toss of a coin between Bruno and Rashford.

  17. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Vardy to rash/ Jesus?

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

    With 49 points from Jimenez(c),Boly,Mane,VVD,Fernandes,Jota thought i was ok...

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

    When I see that firmino only got 2 pts with just 3 bps makes me question fpl. Clearly one of the most important players in the team. A bit like when kante was at leicester

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

      It’s a mystery. Just poor for fpl. Returns seem to bypass him.

  20. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any injuries of any note tonight folks?? Need to make a couple of early transfers half my team has dropped or is dropping haha

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

      Zaha out.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Haha damn have to rethink my TC choice after that news!! Haha can live with that one!! More of note Doherty, Martial and Rashford all came through unscathed??

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

      Not sure if they are of note, but Hayden and Ritchie both substituted due to injuries, though not sure how serious.

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Saw that mate nice for Richie owners going off before they conceded and got a couple of bonus too I think!!

  21. Setpiecemad
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Trent on 2 bps

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

      Sneaked it at end.

  22. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Still have BB

    A) Greenwood
    B) Origi

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

      A

  23. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    66 before baps, I presume I'll be dropping from 45k tonight?

  24. chrismoo75
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    so many disappointments: Change to Bruno from Salah. Richarlison rather than martial, but 78 points to go with 129 last week and gone from 183k to 47k

  25. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Having an absolute mare since we started back.

    Any suggestions on what to do with team?

    0itb 1ft - WC and BB left
    Pope
    TAA Lascelles Saiss
    Salah Mane KDB Fernandes
    DCL Ings Jimi
    (Ryan Traore Stephens Williams)

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

      Which part of TAA, Saiss, Salah, Mane, and Jimenez was a nightmare this week?

      Save your chips

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Wrong captain choice, losing more ground in the ML and overall rank down from 54k to 100k

  26. HTL
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Starting to get nervy for the run in, protecting a ML lead of 70, back to the usual captain failures but I guess it's only an 8 point swing with all things considered.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      70 is a good lead. I on the other hand was 26 ahead before tonight but now only 3.

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

        I feel OK with my team for the run in, with the notable exception of being Aubameyang-less for this week . Two of the chasing pack have him

    2. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm trying to do the opposite and catch a lead of about 70 points!
      140k to 24k in 2 gameweeks so I've got the momentum!

      Don't overthink captaincy, just go with your gut.

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

        Good luck, that's a great rank increase. I'm clinging on to the top 2.5k at the moment, be a great way to bow out of FPL if I can finish in the top 10k

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

          Good luck to you too, top 10k is always the benchmark but I'm sure you'll have your aim set on the top 1k

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

            Need to block the people in the ML more than catching others in overall rank to be honest!

  27. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a> Bruno
    b> Martial
    for rest of season

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

      Martial at least if you think that Rash shares penalties and Pogba will keep starting.

  28. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    2ft

    Vardy > Rash
    Egan > Awb/Aurier

    If yes, 1)Awb or 2) Aurier

  29. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Using my FH I'm GW30 looks like a terrible decision. I don't know why the hell I did it. BB was the best option.

    Now I have a crap team and pointless BB chip

  30. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lost 8 points not containing salah. Can live with that

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

      Lost 6 not capping Mane over Son... not bad

      All about marguns and luck... if Son was a few cm back I could've been laughing right now

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

        4*