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What Mourinho Leaving Could Mean for FPL Assets

It seems that the 3-1 loss to Liverpool and the manner in which it transpired was the final straw and José Mourinho is being forced to leave Manchester United, effective immediately. While the search for a permanent replacement begins, an interim manager will be appointed to hold the reins for the rest of the season.

What does that mean for Manchester United assets in FPL then?

Well, it’s a bit difficult to predict properly right now, given we don’t know how they will line up under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. One could argue that we hardly knew who would play towards the end with Mourinho as well so in that way, nothing has changed.

Do I Not Like Orange had a hot topic on Mourinho getting the chop as the news broke and I’ll try to build on that, as well as take a brief look at some of the potential recruits for your FPL-squad.

Defence

It’s worth noting that Manchester United have only kept two clean sheets in the league all season… I had to double check to make sure I was reading it properly but it actually is just that dire, the Mourinho “masterclass of defensive solidity” does not appear to have materialised at all this season.

I’d expect David De Gea (£5.7) to keep his place between the sticks, anything else would frankly be quite shocking. He sits joint third for saves (62) which probably tells as much about his quality as it points towards the fact that United have been conceding way too many shots for being labelled a “top side”. The next premium goalkeeper on the list for saves is placed all the way down at number 13, Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris (£5.4) with 40 saves, the rest are the Joe Hart’s (£4.5) of this world who have been regularly called into action. He is still somewhat pricey but if the new manager can steady the ship, given the fixtures, he could come good. I’d probably wait a week or two for the defenders to see who is preferred and how they seem to be working together, but De Gea could be one to get on early in that price bracket of goalkeepers (although Liverpool keeper Alisson at £5.8 would be giving you very stern looks).

Midfield

The (currently fit) four main FPL options in the United midfield are Anthony Martial (£7.3), Jesse Lingard (£6.7), Paul Pogba (£7.8) and Juan Mata (£6.2). Martial is Manchester United’s top goalscorer so far this season with his seven goals in the league, most of them coming in a great spell of form between GW8-GW12 where he got six goals and assisted one, before coming into a period of rotation and injury issues. If he can keep up that ridiculous conversion-rate he had in that period of 46.2% (admittedly highly unlikely) or get more shots off (slightly more likely), he looks an intriguing option at that price.

Jesse Lingard had a pretty good season overall last year (eight goals, six assists), even though his form dropped off considerably in the second half where he only scored one goal, two assists between GW23-GW38. This season he has been rotated heavily and only made the full 90 minutes once, scoring two goals and netting zero assists. Given how close he is to Anthony Martial in price it might be worth going with the Frenchman instead for now, who seemed to be hitting his stride right before the injury woes. If Lingard can nail down a place though, he could still be interesting.

Paul Pogba will most likely see more minutes than he recently has under new management, but what role he is deployed in will be the key to his potential for FPL points. Pogba possibly still being on spot-kick duties is a nice plus and he could be out to prove that it was Mourinho who shackled him firmly in the barn this season, rather than letting him and the other horses run free.

Juan Mata seems a long way off his stellar 2012/2013 season where he scored 11 goals, 18 assists and was named Chelsea’s player of the year (gathering a very solid 212 FPL-points in the process). His numbers have since dwindled when it comes to goals, assists as well as minutes on the pitch, which can also be seen in the underlying stats when comparing the average between his 18/19 season and the 12/13 season. Mata is without a doubt in the “if he can nail down a permanent place in the starting eleven he could be decent, but the smart thing to do is probably just to stay away right now”-category, if ever there was one.

Alexis Sánchez (£10.0) is out with a hamstring for the rest of the year so he will remain firmly rooted to my very long and slightly too inclusive watchlist.

Attack

Romelu Lukaku (£10.7) and Marcus Rashford (£6.9) are two very different propositions; one is a premium striker who has been struggling to justify his lofty price tag this season, the other a more budget-friendly forward who had started to turn some heads with his one goal and four assists in the last four gameweeks. Depending on how the new manager will line up, Rashford does look like he could be decent between now-GW29 if he gets proper playing time and is able to hang on to some of the current form. He will have to prove that he is as good of an option as current budget favourites Callum Wilson (£6.9) and Raúl Jiménez (£6.2) though, unless you are going with a premium-less strikeforce.

Lukaku is facing competition in that price bracket from heavyweights like Harry Kane (£12.6), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.5) and the fit-again Sergio Agüero (£11.2). Those are not your everyday run of the mill strikers and he will have to have a serious rejuvenation to really be considered in the same category as them.

Closing thoughts

It will be very interesting to see how Ole Gunnar Solskjær does and how the players will deal with Mourinho being sacked: will there be a bounce-back and an upturn in form or are the players just not good enough this season?

Will you be taking the “wait and see” approach or are you jumping aboard the rocking ship, hoping that a new manager can steer it away from the sharp cliffs and into safe, point-filled waters?

Who will you be looking at, and who is on your watchlist?

Meltens

39 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jebiga
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    What do you think about Kane ? Will he play this gw ?

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      He will most likely not be playing for Manchester United this weekend. But, then again, you never know.

  2. raoulduke71
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Paul Pogba will shine, probs pick of the bunch

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on his role. But if he gets the free flowing playmaker position in central midfield, and he is on free kicks and penalties, you might be right ^^

  3. mixology
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    you are my solskjaer
    my ole solskjaer
    you give us confidence
    unlike Jose
    and alan shearer was f*cking dearer
    so please dont take my solskjaer away

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      ……..

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hmm, let's see if that confidence thing pans out in a few weeks eh.

  4. Carcaju
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    a) Sterling + Kamara

    b) Sané + Jimenez

    Better option is b) right?

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Short term, yes. But Kamara has looked promising, and you never know who will score more out of the City wingers ^^

    2. Bohemian Rhapsody
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B for me

  5. Stat Sloth
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Good sum-up, Meltens.

    I would also add that OGS have mostly played 4-3-3 with inside forwards and 1-2 defensive midfielders depending on the opposition during his time in Molde. He likes attacking fullbacks who deliver crosses, and this last season he had huge success with a target man forward in the youngster Håland (who was later sold to Salzburg for an insane sum by Norwegian standards). However, Molde were never very famous for their CS potential.

    Considering Meltens' analysis and this take on OGS as a manager I would say that Martial and Lukaku could be interesting the upcoming games. Perhaps also Pogba, if his midfield role is not holding him too much back. All of those three will be interesting differentials in the next gameweeks, that could pay off. Lingard and Rash is on the wait-and-see-list with regards to roles in the team and gametime. Defense is a no-go, both because United will be more attacking than under Mou, but also because they still have huge injury problems and might even purchase a new defender in January.

    1. MrKlin of Norway
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I imagine it looks something like this then:

      De Gea
      ?????? ?????????
      ??? ??????

      Matic (DM)
      Mata Pogba (both box-to-box)

      Rashford Martial
      Lukaku

      1. MrKlin of Norway
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        *sigh* forgot this site crops when you try to format, imagine Rashford Martial as wingers and you get it anyways..... no clue what he'll do with the defence though. And luxury-problem incoming when Sanchez is back.

        1. Stat Sloth
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          DDG is safe, and I guess Matic is as well, they don't have a lot of good DM's these days. I agree with the rest, except Mata. Lingard will probably share gametime with Mata, and perhaps also Rashford. Remember that Lingard is one of OGS' favourites from the U23 days, along with Pogba. And as you say, when Sanchez is back there will be more rotation. However, from the OGS comments I've seen he will look towards nailing a first eleven as quickly as possible, and then rotate a bit from there. But at the same time, staying patient with the nailed players throughout. Which might bode well for FPL when we find out who those players are ^^

          Defense is a no-go for a while ^^

          He seems to favour young players ahead of older ones as well. Only "old" player he kept for a while in Molde is Moström, the right side inside forward. And that was just because noone could stroll inside like him, meaning that there were no rotation options. Other than that, under 28 seems to be a thing, and also playing teenagers to give them experience.

    2. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks mate!
      Great information about OGS, very helpful 🙂

      I've held on to Martial and I'm hoping he gets a chance to play and prove himself over Christmas... Attacking assets from United may become a lot more interesting in the coming weeks!

  6. Cornholi0
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Soskjaer; such a gentleman and by the look of it he always says and does the right things. Never complaining about referees or other subjects he can`t do anything about. Probably one of the manager in the world that is most different from "The special one".

    Pogba will be great again and he might can turn United great again!

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      "Let's Make Pogba Great Again"...

  7. Gooner Kebab
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Looks like Rashford will go back to the back of the queue unfortunately.

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I don't think OGS would consider Mata or Lingard for the RW position, so as long as Sanchez is out it should belong to Rash.

      1. Vobinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        This

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

        Nice find

  8. Tempestic
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Really stuck on what to do here...
    2FT 0.1ITB

    Lloris
    Alonso Laporte Balbuena
    Sterling(c) Sane(vc) Rich Brooks
    Kane Auba Jimenez
    Steele - Digne Bennet Hojbjerg

    Thoughts?

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Main thought - post it in a general article, more people might see it ^^ Other than that, your trouble areas are Brooks, Steele, and perhaps having both of Kane/Auba will hurt a bit, seeing how you don't have Salah/Hazard.

  9. Dr. Rog
    • 15 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    --------------DeGea
    Valencia Bailey Smalling Shaw
    --------- Matic Herrera
    ---Sanchez Pogba Martial
    ------------ Lukaku

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      To much Utd

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Too much Bailey's.

    2. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Valencia might be too slow these days, Young or Dalot should be ahead of him. Lindeløf might also be ahead of Bailly. Really no way to know for a couple of weeks.

      Rash will hold RW until Sanchez is back.

      Pogba will be more of an attacking CM than an AMC.

      And Herrera as DM might actually be something to consider. Not FPL-wise, but he might be the motor that OGS needs to play with Matic defensively. Like Kante for CHE. I like the idea.

  10. Toochay
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I like this new manager Mouinho

  11. Bohemian Rhapsody
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I know my bench sucks. Please help. Thank you!

    2FT & 0.8 ITB

    Fab
    TAA / AWB / D. Luiz
    Fraser / Richarlison / Salah / Sane (C)
    Chicharito / Kane / Aubameyang (VC)

    Hamer / R. Bennett / Peltier / Callum Hudson-Odoi

    I know my bench sucks.and i need your help.

    1. Stat Sloth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Can you afford snodgrass for hudson?

      1. Stat Sloth
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Or Chambers for Peltier? You defo need cover in Xmas rotation period.

    2. Meltens
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hudson-Odio has to go, that bench will severely punish you over Christmas...
      TAA -- > Digne and Hudson ---> Camarasa maybe?

  12. Rhinos
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone who says their gonna moniter man u over cardiff and hudds can suck my hairy ball sack till they discover what balls are.

    Pogba and Rashford welcome to my team a

    1. Rhinos
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Let's hope my fpl fortunes are better than my grammar and spelling

      1. Meltens
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Haha! Well I'm hoping Martial who I've held onto can come back to life but Pog and Rash (sounds like cartoon-characters!) could also come good 🙂
        Looking at potentially getting in Rashford or Ings for Auba in a couple of weeks and going full budget strikeforce.

        1. Rhinos
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          i prefer Luk to Rash but the exta money is just too useful to pass up

          1. Meltens
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah if money isn't an issue Big Rom wins out, but he has to do a lot to justify the 3.8 million difference. Who leaves for Pog and Rash then?

  13. MTPockets
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nordic Football Pod discussion on Solskjær the manager (from about 4 mins). They usually chat about Norwegian and Swedish leagues, so perspective comes from that. https://twitter.com/nordicfootpod/status/1075483269158854656

      - Solskjær previously MUN youth coach
      - More attack minded manager, possibly to detriment of defence (Molde kept 9 clean sheets from 30 in each of last 4 seasons)
      - Won two league titles at Molde in first spell as manager (2nd behind Rosenborg in last two seasons - second spell there)
      - Good developer of talent and managing breakthrough youth players
      - Has become more risk taking and less predictable with player roles in team
      - Settled into 4-3-3 system in last few months at Molde, but that's not at all guaranteed
      - Interim manager unlikely to have much/any Jan window spending power
      - Dynamic between big name players vs small name manager - can he rein in superstar culture to focus on training/pitch time?
      - Pogba - either sell him or build team around him (probably the latter)
      - More likely to integrate youth players