Dugout Discussion

Solskjaer turns to midfield diamond as Willian and Holding return for Arsenal

The penultimate Premier League match on Sunday sees Manchester United play host to Arsenal.

Kick-off at Old Trafford is at 16:30 GMT.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seemingly jettisoned natural width in favour of a midfield diamond for this clash, having used that set-up in the Champions League in midweek.

Scott McTominay (£4.9m) returns to the centre of midfield alongside Fred (£5.3m) and Paul Pogba (£7.8m), with Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m) playing just behind a front two of Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) and Mason Greenwood (£7.2m).

Anthony Martial (£8.7m) is still suspended while Edinson Cavani (£8.0m) is only among the substitutes.

Arsenal have made 10 alterations from the win over Dundalk on Thursday, with only Mohamed Elneny (£4.4m) keeping his place.

Compared to Gameweek 6, however, there are only three changes, with Dani Ceballos (£5.0m), Granit Xhaka (£5.4m) and the injured David Luiz (£5.5m) missing out.

Rob Holding (£4.4m) makes a surprise return to the starting XI despite having initially been ruled out for three weeks with a hamstring issue, with Willian (£7.8m) also back from a calf problem.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.7m) again starts out wide for Mikel Arteta’s troops.

He has now blanked four Gameweeks in a row, which represents his worst run in FPL since moving to England over two years ago.

Fernandes, the only United player who boasts a double-digit ownership in FPL, has never blanked two games in a row since joining United earlier this year.


Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, McTominay; Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood.

Arsenal XI: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney, Elneny, Partey, Willian, Aubameyang, Saka, Lacazette.

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1,271 Comments Post a Comment
  1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is it time to get rid of Robertson and free some cash?

    And would you transfer out Zaha -> Ziyeh/Rashford?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am giving the WBA game to Zaha and then will reconsider

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ya pool defenders need to go.

      Rash would likely be better over zaha long term but zaha has good fixtures for now so keep

  2. Hattrick Harry
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    38 min and shots 1-2 to Arsenal, isn’t that boring

  3. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I need Kane to get 7 points to break even on my Wilson & KDB -4 to Grealish & Kane move. Surely better long term though right?

    1. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not guaranteed. 50/50 long term.

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He is on for 18pts

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If United don't get a penalty here it will be a disgrace. Mike Dean is officiating ffs

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dean getting frustrated that United haven’t actually been in the Arsenal box yet

  5. Holding Mee Bong
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    TAA & Robbo owners.

    Are you holding both or shipping 1? If so who? Reluctant myself...

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ive come this far with them. Im gona hold

      Mainly as i will have 2 FT and have to deal with other issues

      Saiss + Antonio to Chilwell & Wilson look my most likely moves.

      I dont expect much from City away.

    2. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Holding Robbo

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I need to ship one to upgrade my midfield which is awful except for Son and Salah

      1. FPL_trail_runner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I cant still fully commit to the idea that Grealish and Zaha will outscore the double liverpool guys

        I may be wrong, for sure have been so far

        But my team is probably too much 2019-20 than this season with

        Robertson, TAA, Sterling Salah etc

    4. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Held both too long. Got rid of Trent yesterday for Zouma

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ole smiling

    Loving this performance

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Smiling at 0-0. Pathetic

    2. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The Smiling Assassin

  7. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal looking way better. So united will obviously win.

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Always the way with arsenal. Not taking our chances.

  8. aborg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Pleaseeeee, someone wake me up when this game is over !
    Zzzzzzz

  9. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ole playing boring clueless football.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      On point for him

  10. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Mike Dean telling Rashford just run into the penalty box and I'll do the rest.

  11. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone looking at Bellerin?..

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Only Arsenal fans

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve had Tierny all season and would swap for bellerin in a heartbeat

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

      Yes, have him on my watchlist.

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

      Yeah

      Looking at him in my team on 1 point after he put it on a plate for both Auba and Saka already. 😕

    5. djoker_nole
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes, already done robbo to bellerin in my mind. Will wait till Thursday and do it barring any other injuries

    6. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Had since GW2

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    To those watching, how are Man U looking. Any assets to get out of Bruno or Rashford?

    1. djoker_nole
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      very flat

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Boring, especially with no fantasy involvement.

  13. ragonian
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Am I missing something... how is holding on the pitch?!

  14. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Saiss, Barnes, Ings -> Coufal, Grealish, Martial a good use of a -4?

    Will wait to see how Harvey does tomorrow but faith is at an all time low.

  15. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal going to punished in the second half!

    1. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sadly I think you're right!

  16. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Remember the Vieira vs Keane battles in this game back in the early 2000s

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes. Proper football.

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      "Pizzagate" is a debunked conspiracy theory

  17. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Got to hit the target there. How are Arsenal not winning??

  18. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best Saiss replacement? Got Chillwell

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      West Ham?

      Cresswell?

    2. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo nailed and looks good

      1. thetommy14
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Or Coufal

    3. AlternativeB
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Maybe Zouma short term?

    4. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Coufal?

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Or zouma

    5. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kilman

    6. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Zouma or Coufal/Cressers

  19. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Worst Season Ever. Everything goes wrong.

    Toughts, please ?

    ------ Ramsdale ------
    -- Robbo Taylor Kwp --
    Salah(C) Son Zaha Barkley.
    -- Kane Jimenez DCL --

    Button Bissouma Target Ferguson ( 1.7 itb)

    1. Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I taught I taw a puddy cat

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Would probably lose ramsdale and upgrade Barkley

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Fixtures are turning on SHU. Now that i held so far, I ll hold.

    3. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dont see much wrong here

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Barkley to Bowen

    5. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Field Ramsdale further to the right. Will pay dividends.

      1. DMP
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Funny, indeed.

  20. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    After watching the entire first half I concede to the Arsenal supporters on here that United have their fair share of the blame for why this game has been so boring.

    Ole approaching every top 6 game like a bottom table manager, happy with 0-0 just waiting for a counter attack....

    Arteta not much better. Getting to the wings and putting in weak crosses against a narrow diamond doesnt mean you've been attacking or adventurous

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yep. Look at ole’s face after the 0-0 v Chelsea

      He was delighted

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sorry, in 2/3 years time in these sort of games, when/IF Arteta gets anywhere NEAR the budget Ole has had, we would be doing so much better than they are right now.

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

        The players on the pitch are about the same quality, except for Bruno.

      2. FER FUSCH AKE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        United penalty in the 72nd minute.

  21. djoker_nole
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    United are so flat.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      They just waiting for their weekly controversial event that awards them the points.

  22. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Arsenal aren't scoring here so at least Bruno clean sheet point is banked

  23. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Spurs v BHA determines if I start next week in a good mood.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ah you'll be grand. People are worse off these days.

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Im thinking 5-2 spurs.

      Maupay x 2
      Kane x 2
      Son x 2

      Happy Days

      1. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Lamptey own goal?

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Please can I have some suggestions, have 2ft 0.2itb

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo konsa lamptey Mitchell dunne
    Salah sterling son soucek Burke
    Werner jimi dcl

  25. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings to whom? (If injured)
    A) DCL
    B) Werner
    C) Martial

    1. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      DCL

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dcl

    3. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Tempted by C at the moment.

  26. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who’s the better option. Chilwell or Zouma?

    1. thetommy14
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Chilwell

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kurt

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Chilwell if you have the funds

  27. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    You'd think Arteta was Mourinhos assistant manager, not Peps.

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Have we spent anywhere near the money man united have?

      1. JBG
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        What kind of excuse is that?

        1. JBG
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Arsenal has played like this in other matches as well.

        2. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Do you think if we had a squad like Pep has or had spent the money Ole has, we would be playing like this?

          And what are you talking about anyway? Do you even bother watching the game or are you just annoyed because your fantasy players are doing nothing? We’ve been all over them

  28. FPL_trail_runner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I am doubling down i reckon, which looks like its gona keep hitting me in the face. Feels too late to move now. But keeping the guys from last year (TAA, Robbo, Sterling) over the better 2020-21 versions of Zaha , Grealish, Kane etc.

    Looking at 2FT and no hits
    Saiss & Antonio to Chilwell & Wilson

    Meslier
    Ayling Roberston Taa Chilwell
    Sterling Son (c) Salah Hamez
    Dcl Wilson
    4ml Kilman Biss Brewster

    Will be doing very well to be inside the top 600k i reckon , big red arrow again.

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Look like decent moves yep

  29. LSK
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Jimenez to Wilson a nice way of freeing up funds?

    Can afford Werner or Martial as well but need to upgrade Foden soon so fancy going cheaper.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Depends where you spend the extra cash
      I can't see Wilson being as consistent as Jimenez.

      1. LSK
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Probably Foden to Ziyech and Saiss to Cancelo. Something like that. Will have a think on it, cheers.

  30. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    is martial an option really at that price with the likes of Wilson and DCL scoring for fun.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am not sure on whether he is assured starter