Dugout Discussion

Injured Cavani misses out as Solskjaer opts for Martial over Greenwood in attack

Having been leapfrogged by Leicester City earlier in the day, Manchester United will attempt to go back to second in the Premier League table at Old Trafford this evening.

A win over visitors Newcastle United will do just that and keep league leaders Manchester City within ten points’ reach, following a win for Pep Guardiola’s troops in the late-afternoon kick-off.

The last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday gets underway at 19:00 GMT.

Daniel James (£6.2m) and Nemanja Matic (£4.7m) are brought into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI tonight.

Both of the United manager’s changes from Gameweek 25 are enforced, with Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) and Scott McTominay (£4.9m) missing through injury.

Mason Greenwood (£7.0m) is again only among the substitutes, with Anthony Martial (£8.7m) preferred up front.

Steve Bruce has made just the one change to the Newcastle side that lost at Chelsea last Monday as Joelinton (£5.7m) replaces Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) in attack.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) is the second-most-popular captaincy pick of Double Gameweek 25 overall and within the top 10k, trailing Patrick Bamford (£6.9m) in both instances.

Selected by the vast majority of the top 10,000, Fernandes’ effective ownership is, once again, in excess of 100% – so any return means a small red arrow for those who own the Portuguese midfielder but haven’t captained him.

LINE-UPS

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Willock, Hayden, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 SO FAR…

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) made a swift return from injury at the Emirates this afternoon but couldn’t add to his season’s goal tally of 11.

The German started and finished the game in his now customary ‘number eight’ role but he, and City as a collective, never really clicked in an attacking sense in north London.

Not that Pep Guardiola’s side really needed to get out of second gear, with Arsenal failing to capitalise on some threatening positions in the final third and mustering only one shot on target in the entire game.

This was City’s 15th clean sheet of the season and their 13th in the last 16 Gameweeks.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) made his first start on his return from injury as a ‘false nine’ and provided some typically incisive through-balls, while the advanced Joao Cancelo (£6.1m) again saw plenty of penalty-box action and wasted a glorious chance to double City’s lead when toe-poking wide from 10 yards.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) was the visitors’ match-winner, nodding home Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.1m) second-minute cross for his 13th attacking return in his last 14 league starts.

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2,309 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Play up Pumpy.

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

    Man United’s clean sheet tonight will rise the average nicely with ~40% EO.

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah the clean sheet is guaranteed. Completely locked in. Newcastle haven't a hope of scoring. 😀

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Stop it .......

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha

  3. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Joelinton does the Kane trick on Maguire

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

      Streetwise Joe Linton.

  4. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all - what's the best strategy for someone who has all chips still to play?

    Wondering if I aim to wildcard this week, FH in GW 29... but not sure on BB and TC? any advice appreciated!

  5. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling Raphinha Bamford to Gundogan Barnes Kane (TC) (-8)?

  6. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Self indulgent repost.
    This week was the perfect week for me to go out of the cup. It would have been nice to go out to someone who’s far superior in rank and with an all round better team. So I was resigned to it.
    Thing is, I’m actually doing ok. Little things are beginning to add up. Like he has Cancelo with a yellow and I have Dias with 1 bap. His big boys Son and Salah blanked and I have Sterling. I also have an extra player to go in Wan Bissaka. So with a little luck, there’ll be a clean sheet tonight and I could just edge it.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn’t bank on a cs. Are you watching?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No, watched the last game and it’s the wife’s turn to choose. That’s why I’m looking at Zac Effrons face.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lucky. Mine makes us watch all the matches. I've had enough tbh.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Haha. Careful what you wish for springs to mind.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Of 4 EPL games and a bit of the Milan derby in the afternoon mix?

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

          Effron over Maguire? She’s missing out!

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That is some unfair horseplay if you win.

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sort of in a similar situation. We're level right now. My opponent is a lurker here and I finally spoke to him today lol

      This is what we're left with:

      Me: Struijk Burn Vestergaard Raphinha(C)
      Him: Shaw Sanchez Bamford (C) Raphinha

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That so hilarious. Wish that’d happen to me. That is incredibly close.
        Me: AWB Meslier Bamford Dallas
        Him: Dallas Ings Bamford

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What did you have for tea venison or lamb chop ?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Well remembered. Went for the lamb chop. I’ll have the venison tomorrow.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Nice, good food far more important than this fpl nonsense 😉

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Very true!

  7. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Utd are a mess. Good job Newcastle attack is so poor.

    1. FantasyTony
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A moveable object vs a stoppable force.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        🙂

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha. That’s very nicely done sir. Tips hat.

  8. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fred is awful. Make it stop. Please.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait until he has a shot

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      🙁

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed last article- Not sure what best to do here. 1free transfer and .3 m in bank

    Thinking Salah Ings Bamford to Barnes Kane DCL -8?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Tarkowski Shaw
    Salah Sterling Bruno Gundogan
    Watkins Ings Bamford

    Pope Raphinha Dallas Coufal

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Like those moves

    2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. Good moves on paper.

  10. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed on last article

    Next GW
    A Soucek > Barnes -4
    B play Raphinia

    Cheers

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks Jimmy

  11. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    with DDG in goal any cross or pot shot can lead to a fluke goal 🙂

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Facts.

  12. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best option?

    A play targett, bench bamford
    B -4 son & Bamford > Barnes & DCL

    No bb will fh29

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tricky! I like B provided you have Kane otherwise not keen on losing Son

  13. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Phew! Cavani absence means Digne 7 points off the bench.

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      lucky

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True, but the better my first sub, the luckier I get!

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  14. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Old article repost:
    Can only weather one price rise or fall to do this transfer:
    Grealish, Ings > Barnes, Kane (-4)

    Why do Spurs have to play midweek?! Maybe Kane not in the roster again?

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice moves

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

      Kane won’t play on Thursday. Barnes very likely will play some part.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ugh. Probably need to do these transfers now, sadly. Won’t be able to afford otherwise.

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Kane will not play. They are good moves so if there is any risk of price changes do it. Check out FPL statistics.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        All four of them are listed in Most Transfers In/Out section of official game.

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Have you used fplstatistics before? Take a look there. Barnes is the only one at the moment that could price change. I think I would just do it.

  15. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The entire Man United defence clearly don't own themselves in FPL.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What going on? Are they just playing really badly?

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Could have conceded a couple already. DDG with a terrible kick out a minute ago.

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They know themselves well...

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What a week to get a 13 point autosub 😀

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

      Skill 😎

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      well played

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

      Barnes gave me a 19-point auto-sub lady season too. He just keeps on giving.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What a legend

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

        That's was against Villa too - love it!

  17. Tabes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Digne Stones Dunk
    Son Fernandes Sterling Gundogan
    Kane Calvert-L Watkins

    For triple-captain next DW?

    Thanks

  18. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    DCL (4) and Lowton (6) on my bench outscoring Gundo (3) and Cancelo (5). Absolutely fuming.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That is just 2 points difference.

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

      I hope this post isn't serious

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Played DCL...but also played Cresswell over Stones because I honestly believed Gundo would sit this one was a bit presumptuous. Those 4 points mean alot this GW.

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

      2 points 😀

      If you were offered both City starting and DCL benched, as you played it...

    5. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Guys I'm joking!! Wish I knew how to do emojis!

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I picked it up as a joke post, the full-stop was enough

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        😉

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Punctuation keys

  19. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My pre-wildcard team had Tarkowski, Lookman, Sterling, Antonio & Richarlison. Just to top it off - Harvey Barnes is my first sub and won’t come on.

    These are the things that make you want to quit the game...

    1. Napoleon IV
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      yeah, sounds like you should quit

  20. Tabes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Martinez
    Digne Stones Dunk
    Son Fernandes Sterling Gundogan
    Kane Calvert-L Watkins

    For triple-captain next DGW, who to choose?

    Thanks

  21. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Plan for the DGW

    Martinez (Meslier)
    Dias Cancelo Tarko (Cresswell Holding)
    Foden Bruno Barnes Son* Raphinha
    Barnes* Watkins* Bamford

    Son, A.Barnes and Watkins
    To
    Kane, Vardy and Maddison (-8)

    If Grealish is passed fit might hold Watkins and shift Foden to Gundo instead.

    Look ok?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Obviously between Bamford and Raphina for the final spot in the team.

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Im bringing Barnes in while you're taking him out!?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ashley Barnes. Not Harvey. I'm keeping Harvey

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

        Barnes A. Rather than Barnes H. I reckon

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes gives good options, I like Harvey Barnes more of a differential

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Newcastle knocking it about like prime Barca

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

      Brucelona

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Faustino Asprilla on WC for me.

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The Geordie Busquets will need to stay disciplined

  23. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On WC, have Kane, would you rather
    A) Barnes & DCL
    B) Son & Watkins

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A all day

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        A.

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah that’s my thinking too, cheers guys.

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A no brainer

  24. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling Raphinha Bamford to Gundogan Barnes Kane (TC) (-8)??

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both - 8 and Kane TC isn't appealing

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I normally wouldn't endorse a -8 but think they are good moves especially if you are bringing in someone to TC.

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think I would yeah

  25. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    seeing Fred and Matic on the teamsheet gives me a feeling like seeing Jones and Smalling on the teamsheet back in the day 🙁

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Basically.

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Home to Newcastle surely he only needs to play 1 dm?

  26. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    WC played. It'll go to the wire if I finish with Salah > KDB and Gundo > 6.7m

    Martinez

    Dias / Stones / Targett

    Salah / Barnes / Gundo / Son / Bruno

    Kane (c) / Watkins

    4 bench players for GW29

  27. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Better option for 26

    A. Son and Watkins (TC Son Salah or Bruno)
    B. Kane and Barnes (-4) TC Kane

    Thanks!

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B but still undecided with Kane TC

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

  28. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Don’t look at your wildcard team vs your old team. Your wildcard team should set you up for future gameweeks and score more in the long run.

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What if you’d just wildcarded 1 week later 🙂

  29. CapK
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Outside of City, Bruno & Salah, who is the best

    A) defender
    B) midfielder
    C) striker

    For the DGW?!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aina
      Barnes
      Dominic

  30. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not a good match to have Shaw as my only differential it seems!

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah 0-0s are terrible when you own a defender

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don’t see this ending 0-0

        So far it’s NEW looking more exciting!