Pro Pundits

Seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar on Man Utd’s best Triple Gameweek 35 players

One of the most consistent FPL managers in the game, Zophar, is on course for his eighth top 10k finish. Here, he takes an in-depth look at Manchester United’s assets ahead of their Triple Gameweek.


It’s been a surreal 12 hours.

My own team, Chelsea, have trounced Real Madrid and progressed to the Champions League final, a scenario that many of us would have deemed impossible midway through the season.

As tempted as I am to wax lyrical for another 1,000 words about the Blues, I cannot ignore the elephant in the room: Manchester United’s TRIPLE Gameweek!

The Manchester United v Liverpool fixture being postponed in Gameweek 34 hit all of us hard and myself included, as I had five players in that fixture. While this immediate, surprise rescheduling gives us an opportunity to get some of those points back, the schedule indicates that it might not be that simple. Let’s get stuck into it.

I’m writing this piece before United have played in the UEFA Europa League, and while the Red Devils carry a four-goal advantage going into the second leg, I don’t see them fielding a weakened team as that would offer Roma a glimmer of hope – which is the last thing they’d want to do. I expect the likes of Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m), Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) to start, with early substitutions the likely route to rest.

The Red Devils play a total of four games in a space of seven days, a schedule that is largely unprecedented and given that it is at the tail-end of the season, when players are already mentally and physically fatigued from a congested schedule, rotation is inevitable. 

Motivation

Manchester United are in a firm position to clinch UEFA Champions League qualification, sitting nine points clear of fifth placed West Ham. With their superior goal difference, the Red Devils effectively need just three points to seal it. So there’s no real need to flog players and risk injury with such short turnarounds. There is some merit to finishing as high up the table as possible, too, so that has to be factored in as well. 

Scheduling

The turnaround time from the Europa League to the Villa fixture isn’t too bad. After all, it’s the usual Thursday-Sunday schedule that they’ve handled all season. A full rest since their last Europa League game due to the Liverpool postponement would also help in terms of energy levels.

The curveball here is the next two fixtures, against more formidable opposition on Tuesday and Thursday. 

Now, do United consider resting players for Villa to prioritise the Leicester and Liverpool games or do they go for the more ‘winnable’ points? I think they go for the former as the game against Leicester is almost a six-pointer, as it would open up the gap against the Foxes. The Liverpool fixture is always a big one too because of the rivalry. It’s not ideal when you think about captaincy for Fernandes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he played all three. 

Which players are the most likely to see minutes?

Harry Maguire (£5.5m), Fernandes and Rashford are the only players to feature in every single league match for United this season, while only Maguire has played every minute. 

On this basis, you would assume that the most nailed-on asset in defence is obviously Maguire. I think Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.7m) is also relatively safe for starts but I would worry about Luke Shaw (£5.4m) with Alex Telles (£5.3m) available and the Englishman’s past history with muscle injuries. Victor Lindelof (£4.8m) doesn’t fill me with confidence with Eric Bailly (£4.8m) around, either.

Fernandes is the obvious attacking pick, having seen the most minutes of any of their attackers. For the next best pick, let’s have a closer look at the minutes over the last seven Gameweeks rather than the season.

The likes of Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Lindelof, Maguire and Dean Henderson (£5.2m) have played the entirety the last seven Gameweeks, with Fernandes missing out by just one minute.

Rashford’s game-time has been managed to an extent due to the niggling injury he has been carrying and he’s struggled to play two games a week, let alone four, so I am not tempted by him there. We have often seen Paul Pogba (£7.6m) play on the left, as well, which reduces the appeal of Rashford on the right.

It is encouraging to see Mason Greenwood (£7.2m) feature in all five of their last league matches for an average of 75 minutes each. At just 19 years of age, the youngster can recover quicker than most in the United squad and should see a decent amount of minutes across the three matches, especially given Rashford’s struggles. 

Attacking stats

My team

I’m sitting with two free transfers and £0.2m in the bank. As it stands, I have four players who will blank in Gameweek 36, and Rhian Brewster (£4.3m). 

My plan is to sell Son Heung-min (£9.6m) for Greenwood this week and roll the other transfer. Then, next week, I plan on reversing that move and bringing Gareth Bale (£9.1m) in for Fernandes. I do think the Red Devils will play a weakened team in Gameweek 38 with the Europa League final in mind, so I might get only the Fulham fixture out of Fernandes. This would also allow me to fund Brewster to Michail Antonio (£6.4m) for a -4. This would allow me to bench Kelechi Iheanacho, Shaw and AntonioRudiger and have a strong squad for any unexpected rotation in the final weeks. 

I know there’s talk – and justifiably so – about this Triple Gameweek being a trap and whatnot, but this is only the second time I’ve seen it happen in my 12 years of playing FPL and I just cannot bring myself not to max out on it. In five years’ time, I don’t want to be saying that I had only two players when Manchester United had a Triple Gameweek, irrespective of the outcome. 

Enjoy the chaos. One thing is for sure, there will never be a season like this again.

Thanks for reading. 

THE FPL WIRE PODCAST WITH ZOPHAR, LATERISER AND TOM FREEMAN


Pro Pundits 20
1,947 Comments Post a Comment
  1. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Coady+Raphinha+Kane to Maguire+Zaha+Cavani for -4?

    Use TC on Bruno or someone else?

    Mendy 3.8
    Castagne Coady Robbo Coufal Mitchell
    Bruno Jota Lingard Maddison Raphinha
    Kane Vardy Lacca

    2ft, 0 itb

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'm in a similar dilemma which is essentially Cavani over Maguire as 3rd United.

      Or Watkins instead.

      Along with Bruno and Greenwood.

  2. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    19 and a half days until the Europa league final kicks off.

    Definitely Utd rest their best players for the final game v Wolves.

    So that leaves 4 games in 9 days.

    Villa away.
    Leicester home.
    Liverpool and Fulham also home.

    Logically you protect your best players so will Cavani get just two 60 min run outs?

    If so against Leicester and Liverpool are the obvious choices for a big match player.

    Plus some minutes from the bench as need be?

    Is he worth bringing back in to the fpl team?

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

    Play Wood or Lingard?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wood.

  4. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Siggy a good option?

    Not really sure about Zaha or Greenwood

    1. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not much between them. I think Greenwood will outscore Zaha and Siggy this GW, but then blanks next..

      Owner of Siggy myself, and picked Rash over Greenwood fwiw

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could be golden but could also be a complete flop. Same as Zaha though.

      Still think Greenwood likeliest of the 3 to score well

  5. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Captain TAA, Salah or Greenwood?

    I'm chasing in my ML

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      All decent shouts as everyone else will prob go Bruno (c).

  6. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    This -8 worth it?
    Ruidger, Dier + Son (buy back nxt week or go for bale)
    For
    TAA, Digne, Ghazi (bench kane)

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do you have to take a -4 for Son/Bale? If yes i don't think it's worth it.

      1. Netters2018
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        No it will just be my free trans next week no hit required. Does a -4 work better rudiger and son to taa and ghazi instead?

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          I like that

          1. Netters2018
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah cheers pukki will do the -4... i need shot of rudiger cos of the gw36 blank

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Really don’t like. Will you even have sufficient money in the bank to bring Son back in

  7. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Looking at saving here to get a decent blank team, agree? 0.0itb 1ft

    Martinez
    TAA Shaw C Rudiger Castagne
    Son Bruno Jota
    Kane Iheanacho Watkins

    Forster Alonso ASM Raphina

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Alonso out

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This. Waste of funds imo

  8. And nothing else Mata'…
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    El Ghazi or Zaha in?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha but big price difference.
      If you went El Ghazi would you do with the spare cash

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Zaha

  9. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which players would you target for this week?

    1. Gauita
    2. McGuire
    3. Greenwood
    4. Ward Prowse
    5. Zaha
    6. Calvert Lewin
    7. Watkins

    Thanks

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      654

    2. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I think it depends on your team to be honest. I'm on a WC and I picked Guita, Greenwood only from that lot.

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Is this on FH? If so 1,3,6

      1. Torres76
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Here’s my team lads

        Martinez*
        Phillips*, Rudiger* Castagne*
        Bruno*, Salah*, Jota*, Son
        Kane, Nacho*, Bamford

        Forster*, Lingard, Dallas, Dias

        0.1m, 2 Free Transfers, W.C, BB, FH all left

        Thinking of playing BB this week. May concede 4 or 8 to max out

  10. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Gtg ? I’m on my wildcard so can amend if you guys have suggestions

    Henderson / Pickford

    Maguire / Digne / Robertson / Coufal / Ward

    lingard / Salah / zaha / wardprowse / Fernandes

    DCL / Ian nancho / Watkins

    Hoping this sees me through to the end of the season and planning Ian nacho out for Antonio in gw 36 to get 11 starting

    1. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Wow, its completely different from mine.

      Guaita
      Robertson / Castagne / TAA
      Fernandes / Greenwood(C) / Salah / Maddison / Havertz
      Cavani / Iheanacho

      Although - I have a Freehit for next gameweek so not concerned about the blanks

      1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I’ve tried to base it for the remaining 3 gameweeks but your team should score well especially as you have free hit

  11. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BB team, 1FT, £1M

    Leno, Forster
    Holgate, Holding, Phillips, Regillion, Saiss
    Bruno (C), Salah, Jota, Son, JWP
    Kane, DCL, Iheanacho

    A. Either keeper to Guaita / Pickford
    B. Son to Rashford
    C. Hold

    If I do B likely I will have to take at least -4 in GW36

    Thanks

    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Is Forster going to play?

      1. XX SMICER XX
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Will be rotated I expect.
        Think I need a playing keeper.

  12. Torres76
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best triple for Man United? I’m thinking of going

    1. McGuire
    2. Bruno
    3. Greenwood

    Thanks

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      So is everyone else.

    2. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks good I’ve gone with henderson, Maguire and Bruno

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

      I have Bruno, Maguire and Wan-Bissaka

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Will be Bruno then a combo of:
      - Maguire / Shaw
      - Greenwood / Rashford

    5. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Probably. Sadly couldn’t go for a triple myself. Team in shambles for 36 otherwise.
      I had Bruno and went just for Shaw. Believe he’ll match Harry over two games. Just hoping Greenwood doesn’t hurt too much.

  13. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on?

    Pereira>Greenwood
    Lingard>Rashford (C)
    Kane>DCL

    Got Son and Bale

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could you get Kane back next week?

      Not sure I’d be getting Rashford as part of a hit personally

    2. big_cliff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      How're you looking for GW36?

      1. Klopp's Kids
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Bit short. Got 4 players not playing.

        1. big_cliff
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          That's not too bad but after getting in Rashie and Greenwood, that would end up being 6 players not playing, right?

          What about getting in just one of Rash or Greenwood? Try to avoid the hit imo

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Is that for minus 8?
      I would do one of Son / Bale to Rashford / Greenwood.

    4. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Cheers all!

  14. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane (SGW) over Targett (DGW)

    A) Yes

    B) no

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep Kane for me

    2. big_cliff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

      A

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

  15. Tomas_brolin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Money’s no object so would you go Greenwood or Rashford?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Greenwood. I’d be worried about Rashford fitness

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        This

    2. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I like Rashford, as if feels like everyone is going Greenwood

  16. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bottomed

    So I took a exhaustion-induced hit last night when I checked FPLstats just before price changes and saw a ton of players about to drop (all lower than -110%). Of course it didn’t happen

  17. big_cliff
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who'd you start?

    A. Mendy (mci,ARS)
    B. Martinez (MUN, EVE)

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mendy

      1. big_cliff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Mendy

      1. big_cliff
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers mate

  18. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play one.
    A) Mitchell
    B) Son
    C) Lingard

    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son

      1. sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That’s what I’m thinking.

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

    3. big_cliff
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be Sonny

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son

  19. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy
    Rudiger Shaw Castagne Phillips
    Salah Jota Bruno Son
    Kane Ihae

    (Foster, Lingard Vydra Veltman)
    2FT

    Vydra Son -> DCL Greenwood

    Look okay? Would then bench one of the defenders, Rudiger or Phillips?

    Any better moves I can make ??

    1. Gizzachance
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Could easily pay off with 2 ft
      But you will have half your team missing for gw35, same problem for me, maybe zaha who has dgw, no blank
      Or save 1 ft for next week ?

  20. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Thoughts on holgate guys?
    Brought him in last week, plays every game, last no show was gw 21, still played games before that also, some feel maybe some gametime doubt on dgw, and remaining fixtures all of a sudden, any reason?
    Cheers

    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Don’t offer much going forward. Coleman?

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Holgate was the only eve def I could get due to price, would of preferred Coleman/ digne
        Cheers for reply

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I went Coleman as I couldn’t afford Digne

      1. Gizzachance
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I was in the bargain basement mate! Cheers

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Coady to taa for a hit ? Thanks 🙂

    1. Torres76
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes yes and yes

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers 🙂

    2. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ye

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yesss

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers don

  22. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Bruno likely to play all three games? Or better to go with Greenwood instead?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruno essential imo

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bruno prob still the better choice of the two

  23. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any comments on my FH team? 🙂

    Henderson
    Coleman - Maguire - Castagne - TAA
    Salah (VC) - Fernandes (C) - Mane
    DCL - Nacho - Vardy

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Different!

      I like it. Not sure I’d have gone Vardy or Mané myself but it’s a nice team

  24. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Post fail above!

    So I took a exhaustion-induced hit last night when I checked FPLstats just before price changes and saw a ton of players about to drop (all less than -110%). Of course it didn’t happen 😆 so feeling a bit stupid! Even more so that one was Coleman but hey ho!

    Am I G2G? - unsure re who I’m benching

    0itb -4. No chips left
    Mendy
    TAA, Shaw, Coleman
    Bruno (C), Salah, Jota, Greenwood
    Kane, Iheanacho, DCL
    (Forster) (Rudiger, Lingard, Masuaku)

    Should have 8 starters in GW36 so will use FT or take -4 to have 10.

    Cheers and GL all!

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This is a great team. Bench order doesn't matter as all players should get minutes. Green arrow incoming for sure !

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks for the positivity mate! Annoyed about the -4 but it is what it is!!

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Not keen on hits neither believe me but have to embrace the tgw 🙂

  25. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hey guys.
    Is Forster going to get 2 games this gameweek? Ralph had said something regarding Forster starting vs pool and palace right?

    1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes Forster plays the next two

  26. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'm really annoyed that the Liverpool v Man Utd game got cancelled. Ruined my bench boost and this week for me as well.

  27. arkom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A) Son, Rapinha, Requilon —> Bruno, El Ghazi, Lindelöf (-8)

    or?

    B) Son & Vardy —> Bruno & Benteke (-4)

  28. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would you prefer A) Guaita + Maguire or B) Henderson + Castagne? Do you guys think Maguire can start the 3 games?

    Cheers 😉

    A)
    Guaita
    TAA / Maguire / Digne
    Bruno / Greenwood / Zaha / Salah
    DCL / Vardy / Ihenacho

    B)
    Henderson
    TAA / Castagne / Digne
    Bruno / Greenwood / Zaha / Salah
    DCL / Vardy / Ihenacho

    1. arkom
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

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

      B. Henderson probably 2 games, Maguire could get 3

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mean A 🙂

  29. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Morning lads.

    Who is the best defender under 4.6 that plays in GW36?

    Was pretty set on Coufal but price rises mean I'm now 0.1 short!

  30. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have 8 starters for next gwk and 1 ft.Would you

    a) Gamble and bring in Greenwood+Shaw for a hit,then take -8 to field 11.
    b) Bring in Zaha/Eze and take -4 to field 11 next week.

    Thanks .