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. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For this next week:

    A) Kane, Son and Bamford (sgw) (-4)
    B) Kane, Barnes and Bamford (sgw)
    C) Sterling, Barnes, Watkins

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

      B

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

    Does anyone have any players playing tomorrow?

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

      Dirty Sanchez here.

      Big Dan Burn 3rd on bench fancies a haul I reckon.

      1. fedolefan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Sanchez is great. Served me well GW18-23.

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

      just Sanchez for me. 7-point Johnstone on my bench...

    3. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rashford's son coming on for him 🙂

    4. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Forgot there was even a game tomorrow!

    5. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dunk

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

    Is this ref off his rocker? Rashford is fouled and Newcastle get a FK for it?

  4. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The Winston Bogarde of Man United, Juan Mata is on.

  5. King Carlos
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Beachball coming on

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

    Still happy with captaining Bamford. Hindsight is 20/20

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bruno penalty is 100%

    2. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      how points did Bamford finish on this week?

      1. TOPCAT1960
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Says - 1 more game to come lol

      2. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Still got a game to go

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

        I won't spoil the surprise. All shall be revealed on Tuesday

  7. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    People born in 2004 are now playing in the Premier League ok..

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The year I did GCSEs :O

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

      He's def named after Shola Ameobi

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

      Well, don't feel old at all now. Thanks.

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

    My goodness this kid doesn't look more than 13...

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

    All four here are likely to change price this week. I can only absorb one price change if I don't do this now: Grealish, Ings > Barnes, Kane (-4)

    Still, go ahead and do it? I know there are risks midweek, but can't afford otherwise.

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

      Looks an easy defo yup to me

  10. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Me - Bruno, Shaw

    My ML rival - Bruno (c), Rashford

    Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines

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

      Maybe try a cup of tea

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That escalated quickly.

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Amazing love that haha

  11. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Nice of Ole to give Shola a runout

  12. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rashford's son coming on for him

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

    Football Manager meets Roald Dahl:

    Shola Shoretire.

  14. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Keep the faith. Bambam hattie incoming

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

      I will be happy with 1 goal

    2. TOPCAT1960
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      So will pigs fly - more likely Raphina will outscore him

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

        Without even registering a goal or assist

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

    Love the penalty merchants. PL has decided the rules mean more penalties to be given so may as well enjoy the penalty ride.

    Penandes
    Penane
    Penardy
    Penalah
    Pendogan
    Penford

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      you dont see people buying Jorginho or Reuben Neves relax

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

        Peneves

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aupenayang or Aubamepen?

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

        Penbamayang obviously

    3. Says
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it would be better for the game if a peno was worth less than a goal from play

  16. Says
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I think Luke Shaw has better breasts than my girlfriend

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

      Only way he'll get baps this game.

    2. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      My commiserations.

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

        This, you should check the medicine cabinet, you can never be too sure these days

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

      Hopefully she is not on FFS 🙂

    4. faux_C
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Steroids can give you boobs

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

        thanks, I'll suggest that to her

  17. Flynniesta
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone lend me a crystal ball to see which LFC will turn up for the DGW?
    Salah & Antonio to Barnes & Kane is so tempting

  18. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw motm 😀

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      +20 FPL points!

  19. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Frustrating 2 pointer from Shaw

    Played well, got into good positions and got motm.

    Stones and Lowton on the bench to rub it in.

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

      Ditto on Shaw over Stones, could have been worse tho

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Tell us again how you reasoned to bench a Burnley defender at home to WBA.

      1. Sterling Malory
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Couldnt bring myself to bench Cancelo, so it was a coin toss between him and Shaw. Thought they'd both keep a clean sheet

        Figured Lowton had his haul, so hoped for some Shaw attacking returns.

  20. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who is that idiot screaming “keep the ball” every touch...

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

      It’s me

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

        Stop!

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

      Gary Neville on commentary?

  21. Easy Cheesy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thankfully utd had newcastle on my WC... I was closing to selling bruno but thought I’d do it gw27 v mci... for son

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

    GW rank 5 million. Leeds Southampton better be a goal fest.

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

      3.78m here, but 4 to play!

    2. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      6 million here. From 17k to 44k. Not bad!

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

      What’s your score?

      It’s just a nothing week rank wise

      1. A. PRISE
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not a nothing week trust me

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

        40. I'm still optimistic that Leeds Southampton has drag me to the ton.

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

      Same story here, have 41 with 26 on the bench

  23. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Shaw and Cancelo so close yet so far. So frustrating after having watched that Leeds game as a Raph capper.

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

      Shaw, Kane, Raphinha(C). Somehow all 3 blank. Does my head in

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

    So, is that Bruno (TC) the answer for DGW26?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I am really tempted now although Kane also tempting

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

      Might be, Chelsea a worry?

    3. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If Crystal Palace was first up it would be an easier choice, just ahead of the deadline. Chelsea first up less tempting.- always a risk a player becomes unavailable for the later match.

  25. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bruno Fernandes ruining FPL for another week.

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

      It’s why I’m so reluctant to get rid. They get given penalties like candy. Rashford is one of the biggest cheats in the league, along with Salah and Kane, in terms of conning refs.

    2. TOPCAT1960
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only if you are daft enough not to have him ?

  26. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Lol, Steve Bruce walking off with his pal OGS.

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

      Asking if he needs an assistant

  27. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    People were actually thinking or getting rid of bruno for Kane

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

    For the next 4 games, who to bring in?
    A. DCL
    B. Vardy

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

      he'll get another double

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

      Both

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL, but only just.

  29. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    didn't see the penalty, was it a dive?

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

      Probably. They glossed over it so didn't get too many looks at it.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aren’t they all?

  30. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    On WC, would you opt for ?

    A KdB
    B Sterling

    1. Teahupo'o
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. OLB
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How about Vardy and enough spare to turn a cheap mid into Barnes? If not captaining, it's prob more points - it's what I did rather than City rotation risks with CL to accommodate.