Rashford + Fernandes: United’s FPL midfielders assessed for 2024/25

Should be good. Didn't play much in the Euros.

“We are preparing to start our season in two weeks, progressively the level is getting better and we play another two matches next week.

“We are thinking about how we can build a team and progressively get the performances collectively like we want. There are players joining us next week, four important players."

“Some players joined us last week and are progressively playing more. We are not in our best moment of pre-season, but it’s normal.”

Looks due to join this week. We'll see in the next couple of friendlies what sort of minutes the returnees get.

He will play definitely
Foden, kdb, trippier are the doubts

Porro for 5.5 way more value. But if you're deadset on Timber aint got a clue

He’ll play a lot of games because he’s so versatile but Calafiori cuts off a big route to mins, without him signing I would have said Timber starts at LB more then anywhere, not it’s a wait and see how the team shakes out.

He’s brilliant. And we have a lot of squad depth. If you want 100% nailed, buy Saliba or Raya.

Everyone else could get rotated at some point. Not to start with but when CL kicks in.

When Arteta signed him, it was for a "special role" inverting from LB, so he has big plans for Timber that didn't get to be realised.
The fact that Calafiori was signed with a promise that he will have a major role, coupled with the fact that Arteta's success has been built on a steady and secure top-class back 5, means something has to give... I don't think he's going to rotate defence but we could see something like a change in shape, yet again, like his daddy Pep likes to do each summer.

Maybe Calafiori at LB and Timber as a no. 6 alongside Rice? Maybe they do rotate with more UCL games coming, maybe Madrid's interest in Saliba has become more solid and Arsenal have moved first? I think Arsenal defence is a wait and see just for personnel.

*is happening WITH the

I'm assuming Libra replaces Trippier if he goes. It also sounds like Guehi will be arriving

My guess at their GW1 lineup is: Hall, Burn Schar, Livra

Guehi. Really? I knew he was going somewhere but but Newkieman. So bum is safefish for now and Trips pisssess off to Spain it's Livra. What a mess. Cheers

if Trippier goes Livra nails down LB. If Trippier stays they'll rotate and Livra might also play RB a little rotating with Hall. Burn may also play at times at LB, but might not. LB will rotate somewhat regardless imo as Hall is only young and certainly last season his stamina wasn't there to play every match. Burn's place at CB could be taken by Kelly (who could also play LB), or a new CB signing, which Newcastle are in the market for.

If he plays GW1 vs Everton then I'm happy, if he doesn't it's not a massive blow. He is simply an enabler with an outside chance of getting a few points.

Half the fun of FPL, maybe even more than half, is the pre-season muck about. Drafting 3-4 teams a day, analysing last season's data and watching friendlies. Even most of the fun to be had in these forums comes in pre-season discussion. During the actual gameweeks and particularly on matchdays this place becomes a total spamfest and personally, I barely visit after the first couple of weeks of the season.

If people are drafting actively and regularly they'd have to be pretty dumb to miss out on the updated data and adjust accordingly.

I've not really been reading up on the BHA friendlies yet tbh. If it looks like they'll play a back 4 then he probably won't be much use. But if I'm going to have a 4m 5th defender I still might prefer the hop(ium) of him at LWB over a SOU/LEI CB that I'd never start anyway (would just use an FT on one of the others). But then my defence is still more question marks than names at this stage so I see your point!

There is no template team, everyone is in tweak mode.

Just look how Haaland has gone from being a "joke of a price" to essential based off his preseason. It's incredibly ironic how much commenters here hate the dreaded content creators for helping "the casuals" when the majority of them will end up with almost-identical teams by next Friday.

If we're being honest, there's not much point in making teams until a week or so before the season starts anyway. Although on Barco specifically, he wasn't in the squad, so don't necessarily think Baleba is ahead of him in the pecking order. Like so many others, it's a case of wait and see

Watkins

I must be the only one who thinks it is too early to get Raya.

Gw 2 Villa (A)
Gw 4 Spurs (A)
Gw 5 Man C. (A)

If wildcarding gw6 or gw4 does not seem great as there are only a couple of nice fixtures.

Without Haaland and Salah he could be affordable. The only question is if that 1 million is more useful elsewhere. VvD too Trent, VdV to Porro Havertz to Watkins for example.

Not bad. Downgrade one keeper. Maybe swap out Rodri and ESR for more attacking mid and fodder 4.5m?

Is this for BB in GW1?

Think I prefer him at Bou.

He'll be less highly owned for a start and have no European games.

Will lose pens too, I'd imagine

From GW11 onwards Bournemouth's attacking fixtures are great, Solanke will be essential during this period.

It's good Cam. Currently on Watkins, Isaac, Muniz and Eze. Will be niggles, rumours, transfers that will change plans before deadline.

Plus another week. Perfectly reasoable time to rejoin. Watkins just back in training I believe. Just be careful with Foden to start - see Pep quotes here:
https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2024/08/03/best-8-5m-midfielders-for-fpl-2024-25/

Also if you hadn't noticed Mateta is playing in the Olympics; not sure yet if it'll impact GW1 though

I'd say that Watkins and Isak are a must with no Haaland.

Mateta still at the Olympics I believe so you may want to re-think the 3rd striker slot.

B

Have b.johnson

I am looking at Grealish as just a short term punt in the circumstances. I think our FTs will go on there whoever we end up picking

Bruno is one I'm also considering

Rashford has a lot to do, but then again in the circumstances, could be a GW1-2 punt

That would be fun!

Fingers crossed Antony unleashes his inner Brazilian Messi

10.5 on keepers is a lot

Is this a GW1 bench boost? If so, it looks ok.

Otherwise it needs some tweaking starting with the keepers.

I would prefer Andersen over Muñoz and a 4.5 to rotate but I think you've got enough money at the back

Yeah I wasn't even watching him, I was looking at Thompson and Kerley and then I heard the commentator say Lyles might have nicked it, makes sense that he picked up so much speed at the end with him being a 200m runner too

He's always had good numbers in the championship then not been able to cut it in the prem, maybe he could be like Mitrovic and finally come good but who knows

Don't see he is PL level myself, but a couple of early goals would set a bandwagon rolling

Easier to downgrade from Wood/Muniz than to step up when the inevitable 'Armstrong failed' happens.

Has Maatsen been playing in pre season?

KDB sort of has that Michael Owen at Newcastle/Stoke feeling, I think he is gone as a player.

Odds are one of them will, my money is on Bruno

B

A

You could also do some resaerch on Munoz and make up your opinion based on that.

"Big Man" Bakar is everything that is wrong with what FPL has become. No insightful knowledge, high noob appeal, all about £££

Message delivered to Pingissimus

Good balance for Salah, Haaland team. Not sure about Vardy but I like ur punting on him.

It definitely is starting. Check the rules and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Trippier could be anyone 4.5 - 6m

CHO likely to be Smith Rowe

Structure for the rest I’m happy with.