Dugout Discussion
17 January 2026 815 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The Manchester derby kicks off Gameweek 22 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

United v City gets underway at 12.30pm GMT.

TEAM NEWS

Both sides have had cup ties since their last Premier League outings but if we’re comparing today’s starting XIs to Gameweek 21, both head coaches have rung the changes.

New interim Manchester United boss Michael Carrick makes four alterations from the 2-2 draw at Burnley.

Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are back from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and straight into Carrick’s first starting XI.

Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko are the high-profile casualties of their recalls. Those two drop to the bench.

The more predictable changes see Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo come in for Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte.

If it is a 4-2-3-1 as many are anticipating, then Patrick Dorgu looks set for another ‘out of position’ run-out on the wing.

As for Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo makes his first Premier League start for his new club.

The winger had lined up in both of City’s cup matches this week but gets his league bow here, replacing Tijjani Reijnders from the Gameweek 21 side.

Rodri for Nico Gonzalez is also a straightforward switch in midfield.

Pep Guardiola has had his hand forced with one change, as Matheus Nunes is not in the squad due to illness. Rico Lewis gets his first Premier League start since August.

LINE-UPS

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Heaven, Malacia, Yoro, J Fletcher, Mount, Ugarte, Cunha, Sesko.

Manchester City XI: Donnarumma, Lewis, Khusanov, Alleyne, Ake, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Semenyo, Foden, Doku, Haaland.

Subs: Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, O’Reilly, McAidoo, Mukasa, Mfuni.

price change predictions
815 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Thank you so much for saying that O'Reilly will start, Scout. Well done boys, good process.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Death, taxes and you whinging.

      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        FLOL

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        My scout membership, which is funded out of my very tight household budget, gets me red arrows and not green ones. Am I not entitled to a bit of a whinge?

        1. Ginola14
          • 14 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          Tight household budget yet chooses to waste money on opinions…….

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 months, 14 days ago

            I may cancel the ultra hub membership and the 1-2-1 weekly calls.

    2. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Lol

    3. NoOneCares
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Can this utter attention seeking clown be banned already.

      1. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Yep. Or at least a bit of time out.

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall -- you need me on that wall.

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        This is not getting the West Ham back 4 wrong. These are highly owned, highly relevant players in FPL. Predicted line ups need to start getting more of these big calls right.

        1. NoOneCares
          • 1 Year
          6 months, 14 days ago

          The fact you are still doing this made up persona gibberish is peak clown show. You should have been banned years ago.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            6 months, 14 days ago

            Mate, you don't even have a digit next to your name. Who are ya to be dictating what happens on here?

      3. Debauchy
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Who cares ?

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Unless you link your team, I don't believe any of your weekly whinges about the predicted lineups.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        I can confirm I started NOR.

        1. MJF
          6 months, 14 days ago

          Probably a lie.

    5. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Ask for a refund, virgin.

    6. MJF
      6 months, 14 days ago

      I bet you f’in loved seeing that O’Reilly was benched as it meant you could come here and farm attention.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Yeah. I f'in love getting 1 point.

        1. MJF
          6 months, 14 days ago

          No, you love attention. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d never seen a football match in your life. Who do you even support?

          1. Hairy Potter
            • 11 Years
            6 months, 14 days ago

            He's a scouser

            1. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              6 months, 14 days ago

              That's stereotyping.

    7. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Emma jump the wave had him to start too. I, on the other hand, benched him. Would you like to subscribe to my newsletter?

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Is it the price of a cup of coffee?

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          It should be affordable on your household budget.

  2. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Updated 😀

    1. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      4 FTs and a decimated team. Brilliant.

  3. theshazly
    • 3 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Fockin hell
    Started Cherki and benched Foden

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      All the predicted lineups had it correct what made you do that?

      1. theshazly
        • 3 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Where were the leaks !!!

        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          All over this place.

  4. Brosstan
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Seems like a lot of the best managers actually capped Ekitike this week.

    1. theshazly
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Oh yes

  5. Defcons are for Kinnear
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    O'Reilly either come on before 30 mins or stay on the bench.

    Also, most games are over 95 mins. If a player comes on in the 31st minute he should get a CS if he played 60 mins

  6. fedolefan
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    O’Reilly is a bit of a disaster for next week. Plum fixture but RAN or Ake could play.

    1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Thinking of shifting to Guehi if transfer done.

  7. Sir Michael Taker
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Please go gentle on us noisy neighbours. We will not start with a striker and instead go with 6 players who have been used as defenders this season. Yours Michael. PS I am not Carrick but he is taking the Michael today with that lineup

  8. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    What would you do with this team and 2.1 itb?

    Roefs
    Gabriel, Lacroix, Andersen
    Saka, Rice, BrunoG, Foden, Wilson
    Haaland, Eketike

    (Dubravka, Gudmundsson, Keane*, Guiu)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Assess after watching the games today

  9. Mr. O'Connell
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    No Nunes
    No Cherki

    Need to go back to no City except Haaland

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      And Semen

    2. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Guehi from around 25 or 26

    3. Conners
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Semenyo can play anywhere behind Haaland. I think he'll be a permanent fixture in their attack.

      I'm selfishly hoping Reijnders and Cherki start the CL games (until the knockout stage at least).

  10. Jet5605
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    2 FT and 0.8 ITB.

    A - Cunha & Szob to Bruno F & Wilson
    B - Cunha to Wilson and roll 1

    Pickford
    Gabriel - Timber - Andersen
    Foden - Szob - BrunoG - Rice
    Haaland - Ekitike - DCL

    Dubravka - Cunha - Guddy - Dorgu

  11. SpaceCadet
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Points predictions?

    A. Foden
    B. Wirtz

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      -1
      17

      1. The Philosopher
        • 6 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Ban

      2. SpaceCadet
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Puff puff pass

  12. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    EO:
    Haaland 181.9
    Gabriel 73.3
    Thiago 65.6
    Foden 58.8
    Ekitiké 53.5
    Rogers 51.3
    Rice 50.7
    Saka 45.7
    Bruno G. 44.5
    Wilson 35.9
    Raya 33.5
    J.Timber 33.5
    Semenyo 25.6
    Thiaw 22.8
    Van de Ven 20.5
    Virgil 18.4
    Mukiele 17.1
    Wirtz 16.4
    Calvert-Lewin 15.2
    Cherki 14.6
    Enzo 13.9
    Verbruggen 13.5
    Guéhi 13
    Chalobah 12.4
    Watkins 12.2
    Cash 11.4
    Gordon 10.7
    Andersen 10.6
    Tarkowski 10.2
    Kelleher 10.1

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Cheers

      Glad I kept Foden and bought Gabriel with that ownership.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Top 10k EO*

      1. Conners
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Ah good point - I can dream.

        Still pretty high at my lowly rank 😉

    3. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Thought Ekitike will be 150% by the sounds of his ownership in here.

      1. JBG
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        As a Ekitike Cer, this info makes me happy. Hopefully at the end of today as well... Haaland 2pter and Ekitike at least 7pter

    4. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Hahaha Lmaoo Watkins x3 for the win

    5. I have no Wirtz
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Palmer absent

  13. maford14
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Haha dropped dorgu here’s me

  14. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    boomo's back

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      I'm not sure on Mbeumo playing as the sole CF.

      1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        no is pretty negative, unless it turns out a Carrick masterclass

  15. Vasshin
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Guys, what should I hope this game’s result should be:

    As a united fan, i would want United to win

    But have robot(c), Semenyo, Foden and no united asset in my fpl team

    1. Shteve
      • 16 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      10-9 United

  16. The Night Trunker.
    • 2 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Haaland v Maguire.
    What could possibly go wrong.

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      just glad my rival hasn't captained him (I've capped Wirtz), but a very nervous Semenyo non-owner

      1. WVA
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Yeah Semenyo will haul

  17. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    I should be arrested for captaining Holy Sheiß$&#tkins

    1. The Philosopher
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Ah, man. Even parole is gonna be difficult with a decision like that one.

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        My rank will happily take death by stoning if Watkins fails

  18. Thanos
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    With that EO, going against Robot feels terrifying. Let’s hope he doesn’t do much damage 🙁

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Watkins(C) here. Trust my bawl$

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      new manager bounce, that's what I'm clinging to

    3. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      He won’t do much today

  19. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Juat thinking about my wildcard and when to play it.

    Seen a few people talking of dead ending into GW31, why would you get rid of mci and ars players, surely you'd want them back in, on your WC in GW32?

    Am I missing the point?

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      I haven't even looked at next weekend's fixtures yet

    2. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Because City and Arsenal are unlikely to play in 31.

      1. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Why not just FH in GW31 then?

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          Bigger blank in 34

          1. 1justlookin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            6 months, 13 days ago

            Fair enough.

            Guess it depends if ars and city blank in gw34 because if they dont, gw31 might be a bigger blank for some people as they will be loaded up on arsenal and city players

  20. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Time to hide behind the sofa fellow Ekitike cappers

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Hii. Please sir have you got enough room left for Watkins cappers like myself?

  21. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    That Utd lineup is not what I was expecting. Cunha and Sesko benching are strange ones

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Pace up top for counters, I imagine.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Cunha is quick right?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          Played his best football at Wolves on the counter?

        2. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          6 months, 14 days ago

          Not as quick as Mbeumo, Dorgu & Amad. Also Cunha hasn't actually been in great form, the other reason.

          1. FPL Blow-In
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            6 months, 14 days ago

            You mean while half the first team was missing? Not sure I agree with this assessment Hazz but thanks for the alternative viewpoint

      2. JBG
        • 8 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Sesko and Cunha are both quick. Sesko is also great at takung the ball down ir winning headers.

    2. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Looks a bit halfway house - a fan-pleasing, board-appeasing system but more conservative personnel for the derby within that. Probably see at least one of them from GW24.

      1. Sir Michael Taker
        • 12 Years
        6 months, 14 days ago

        Hes pooed himself. Scared of getting a pasting

  22. F4L
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    bournemouth signing a CDM, not sure if hes any good but would be helpful for senesi/defence in general if he is

  23. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 16 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Dorgu last on my bench.
    Goal incoming

  24. Tonyawesome69
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    United's starting back 4 today is the same back 4 ETH played in his first game against Brighton in 2022.

    https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3837822

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      lol

    2. WVA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Lol that’s brilliant although not sure if United or City have the worse back four?

    3. JBG
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Some context is needed here.

      DeLigt still out with injury, Yoro struggling lately, Heaven inexperienced(but been very good, I would've started him over Licha), Mazraoui gone to AFCON and Shaw... well no other LB sadly.

    4. Fifa las vegas
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Such great memories

  25. Cojones of Destiny
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    as long as Foden hauls I’m fine wit that

  26. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Cunha faithfuls mudded yet again. Must be some comfy mud to be in...

  27. space mercenary
    • 6 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Great starr to the week with Cunha, Cherki and O Reily!

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 14 days ago

      Did you start all three? Ouch.

  28. MikeS
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    Is cherki a sell, or keep for wolves?

  29. F4L
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 14 days ago

    maguire close