Dugout Discussion

Pogba and Maguire lead list of unexpected Gameweek 1 starters

Paul Pogba (£8.0m) heads up a number of players who have made an unexpected appearance in Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League.

It was thought to be unlikely that the French World Cup winner would feature against Leicester in the first match of 2018/19, as a result of his exploits in Russia, but he captains Manchester United at Old Trafford.

However, the biggest surprise starter of the night from a Fantasy perspective is Harry Maguire (£5.5m), who will sit next to Wes Morgan (£4.5m) at the heart of the Leicester defence. That comes after suggestions from manager Claude Puel that he was a serious doubt to play after going deep into the World Cup with England.

Despite the suggestions he would miss out, Maguire was still picked in 17 percent of FPL squads. His contribution tonight could end up unexpectedly making a big difference to the Fantasy landscape of Gameweek 1.

James Maddison (£6.5m) passed a fitness test to start in the number 10 role Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) was considered ready enough only for the bench. But even that is an unexpected role for the England man, and he could be in the frame for a start against Wolves next week.

Also on the bench tonight is Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) while Marcus Rashford (£7.0m) leads the Manchester United attacking line. Alexis Sánchez (£10.5m) has not been given the centre-forwards role that was expected, or at least, that is what the team-sheet suggest. He may well take up that position after all with Rashford also able to operate out-wide.

Fantasy managers who had banked on World Cup semi-finalists not returning to full action for a few weeks may be hoping these team-sheets don’t set the tone for Gameweek 1.

MANCHESTER UNITED XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Shaw, Lindelof, Bailly, Darmian; Fred, Pogba, A Pereira; Sánchez, Rashford, Mata.

LEICESTER CITY XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeicheln; Chilwell, Maguire, Morgan, Amartey; Silva, Nidda; Gray, Maddison, R Pereira; Iheanacho.

3,287 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw should get 3 extra baps for winning goal, but wont be enough to get above Pogba

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      should be good for 2 though right? Chuffed with 10

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        yeah 10 is a home run in fairness... takes the pressure off for a few weeks now too to concetrate on getting Pogba in instead of getting shaw out

        1. Dimen
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Getting Pogba in? Wasn't much of a threat for either assists or goals. Just the pen.

  2. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Perreira looking like an option.

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Tell me more?

      1. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Don't ask too many questions.

      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Indeed

    2. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Indeed

    3. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Surely when matic is back he’s on bench. Fred, matic, Herrera all before him in that position??

      1. Greenbackbøøg…
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Think he meant Ricardo Pereira

      2. barracuda
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        The other Perreira

    4. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yes he is
      Was in my team for few days

    5. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Not so sure that ghezzal looks a player so I think pereira will be a proper rb next game

  3. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Oh FPL, how I've missed thee from, ecstasy to tragedy in the blink of an eye.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Your English is great for a Brazilian...

  4. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Wow just seen Sanchez assist for penalty,insane stuff if they give it to him.

    1. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      deserved one for the donkey

  5. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw 15

    1. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      huh?

    2. Gazpilicueta
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      no no

    3. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Power got cut 84mins in

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      more like sure 10

      1. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Still happy though?

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          of course. cup half full, 10 is more than I ever expected before KO

    5. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      10

    6. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think so.

    7. cheekumz
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      lol... refresh FPL site 😉

  6. Sporting Lion
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone know why Maddison was taken off?

    1. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      bit annoying.. no real reason just to try something fresh
      he played really well though

    2. Captain Roberto
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      fatigue

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Tactical

      1. Sporting Lion
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        i think iheanacho off for vardy whould have been better

    4. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      To ensure there are no price rises before GW3 obvs

    5. Stokelona
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yeh tactical I think, his impact waned and he gave it away a couple of times

  7. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Great start 0 from 0

  8. donkey73
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy just cost me 10 pts
    @#&*!

    1. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      you captained Shaw?

  9. WannabeScout
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I captained Sanchez, that Lolkaku sitter cost me lots of points in the end... Lucky to have any tho after that assist xD

  10. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A word of advice to those who are new to the site..

    Only post your good scores!

    1. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      35 from 2 any good?

      1. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wow

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      PDM below

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Yep see below it's started already .

      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😆

    4. RÏɠBY
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      🙂

    5. Test Eagles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good score

  11. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    15 from 2 😉

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Nobody gives a toss.

  12. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Shaw's first goal in 67 apps

    but Shaw > Roberto Carlos anyway

  13. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Everyone had Shaw in a draft at some point, so quit whinging you almost had him, could probably say the same about 100 players.

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      ^ this

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I can honestly say I never had him in.

      1. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Yep same here, he’s a punt for a couple of weeks and then young comes in. Well done to everyone that punted on him but not for me

    3. cheekumz
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      this!
      ... but I really did nearly have him 😉

    4. Bucky Barnes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Had him for 5 mins, don't regret taking him out can't plan for luck, he'll get probably another 6pts all season and that will be it

  14. In Like Flynn.
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Nothing much for my teams in any of the fantasy games but at least I got the 2-1 in Predictor.
    Should equal my average weekly score from the last time I played it. 😀

  15. Gringo Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Terrible start of a new season, that late goal hurts

  16. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    That’s absolutley sickening. Always happens when I put my eggs in one basket. Vardy you scum

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      It's a bloody game you numpty .

      1. Dimen
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Lol. It's all we talk about on here. You gonna type that comment to anyone taking FPL seriously?

      2. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I know it’s a game. Thanks for the input. Not really being serious. Only making yourself look like a twat with your comment also but well done.

    2. bored by december
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      calm down matey, 1st game of many

    3. Bucky Barnes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      And yet you continue to put all your eggs in one basket even though it ALWAYS happens? Definition of madness that 🙂

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pays off sometimes 😉

  17. Agger
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    20 from 2

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Second insecure person.

    2. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Here we go

    3. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      God I hadnt missed that

    4. Bucky Barnes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Post when you get 26 from 11

  18. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    There's 3 certainties in life. Death, taxes and Jamie Vardy scoring on the opening day of the season.

  19. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    DDG price drop coming after that

  20. SweeSwee
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    So glad I transferred in Shaw but not Sanchez and took out Baily and DDG, then brought in Vardy at the last minute for Lukaku and also had perrera on the bench.

    1. Patch
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What's the rest of your team young man?

      1. _figu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He'll tell you after Sunday

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      well I triple captained Shaw

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very similar to me.

  21. TAT
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Wonder what players Ville Rönkä chose for GW1.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      His FPL ID will be no doubt be tattooed on some's arse here, so we'll soon find out.

      1. badgerboy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        😀

      2. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Hahahaha!

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        That is almost identical to my team. I am so surprised he went with 90% of my picks

      2. TAT
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks!
        Interesting team; the 4.5/4.0 goalkeeper combo, three(!) 4.0 defenders and a 4.5 attacker!

  22. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    All week I've been thinking:

    De Gea + Mendy

    Or

    Ederson and Shaw + 1.5m.

    Went solid picks and i have pogba so ok overall (and I'm thrilled for Shaw) but so close to perfect start!!

    1. Bucky Barnes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Can't believe I didn't pick any players that played on Friday , ruined my start to the season now

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        oh dear

  23. Captain Roberto
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How has FantasyFootball awarded Sanchez an assist?

    his shot hit that guy and flew away from goal and then the hand ball.

    If that's an assist... geez

    1. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      The shot hit the guy's hand. There were two handballs. Were there not?

      1. Captain Roberto
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        no. first was a solid leg block that then went a few yards away from goal before the guy used his arm.

    2. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      This. Absolute garbage if he keeps the points.

  24. Atimis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Done Shaw to Luiz today ffs...as always 😀

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lu iz could get a hat trick.

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Same but it might work out for us yet keep the faith Atimis.

  25. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Likely scenario: casuals will be shopping Shaw, Ashley Young will return and take his place.

    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Likely scenario: FFScout folk will keep saying Shaw is a rotation risk and will be dropped, only for Shaw to keep playing.

      1. Captain Roberto
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        This^

        1. Gomolon
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          I sure hope so, Young is 33 so Shaw needs to be taking his place, especially given how Mourinho and United management don't seem to see eye to eye on transfers

    2. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      No, Shaw will get injured and go MIA for the rest of the season again, you heard it here first

    3. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      This

  26. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thank god for Vardy goal

    1. SweeSwee
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Allah too

  27. Ghost Gooner
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    DDG has been making mistakes lately. No way I will get him at 6.0m

  28. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Own Shaw in FPL and captained Shaw in Sky game too 🙂

  29. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Having to use the sort of Lawnmowers you’d mow ya front lawn with..Dire times for United.

    1. Captain Roberto
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      What? lol
      That's how pitches get mown.
      A bunch of grounds keepers walk the pitch with light weight lawn mowers

  30. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    That's gas after all that research I only got shaw in because I thought Bailly might be out.
    I will take that!

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good move in hindsight. Bailly looked very good, though.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Pure luck really only got him cos I figured they have no other left back (dalot too young and injured)

    2. richietaps
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Had him until last night. Hopefully won't regret that. We'll see tomorrow.