Scout Notes

Rashford and Pogba deliver FPL points again as United grind out win

Manchester United’s unbeaten run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued on Sunday as they edged past Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba delivered their eighth and 12th attacking returns respectively since the Norwegian manager took charge in Gameweek 18, while David de Gea led the United defence to a third straight clean sheet away from home.

We round up the main Fantasy talking points, key manager quotes and headline injury news from today’s first Premier League match.

Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United

  • Goal: Marcus Rashford (£7.7m)
  • Assist: Paul Pogba (£8.6m)

Owners of Marcus Rashford (£7.7m) and Paul Pogba (£8.6m) were indebted to Leicester City’s now customary slow start as the widely owned pair combined to score the game’s only goal after nine minutes of Manchester United’s meeting with the Foxes on Sunday.

Rashford’s strike from a superb Pogba pass was the fifth goal that the Foxes have conceded in the opening 15 minutes in the last four Gameweeks alone and had been coming – Rashford wasting a glorious headed opportunity from a Luke Shaw (£5.0m) cross on four minutes and then testing Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) from a short corner soon after.

Leicester will again be ruing their sluggish start because, as they proved at Anfield in midweek, the Foxes have come to be a real force to be reckoned with when facing “big six” sides.

The Foxes were again possibly deserving of a point against the Red Devils, recording more attempts on goal and shots in the box than their visitors and forcing David de Gea (£5.7m) into six saves.

While this wasn’t quite the siege that United faced at Wembley, there were similarities between this latest victory and their 1-0 success against Spurs in Gameweek 22.

De Gea tipped a Rachid Ghezzal (£5.0m) free-kick round the post and twice denied Jamie Vardy (£8.8m), once from a bicycle kick that he clawed back from the goal-line at the second attempt.

Jonny Evans (£4.8m) also produced an air-kick from a Harry Maguire (£5.4m) knock-down and James Maddison (£6.6m) was denied by a superb Shaw block as Leicester exerted pressure on the United goal, with Solskjaer’s troops not really carving out another clear-cut chance after Rashford’s match-winning strike.

Rashford was again United’s most threatening attacker in a restrained offensive display, being deployed in a more central role and racking up more shots on goal (five) than any other player on show.

Owners of the fit-again Anthony Martial (£7.2m) would have been disappointed to see the French midfielder only among the substitutes but his long-term first-team prospects look brighter after an ineffective showing from Alexis Sanchez (£10.0m) on the Chilean’s first league start since Gameweek 11.

Rashford struggled on the left flank against Burnley on Wednesday, too, so Martial and his owners will be quietly confident of a recall when his side visit Fulham next weekend.

Nevertheless, Solskjaer said of Sanchez’s performance:

I thought he did well but we had to change the game [when he was substituted]. He was sharp when we could get him in. He worked really well defensively. We never created chances for him but he’s coming, he’s improving all the time.

The assist and one barnstorming second-half surge through the Leicester spine aside, this was perhaps as ineffective as Pogba has been since Solskjaer took charge and he occasionally looked sloppy both with and without possession.

His owners will care little, of course, as he has now racked up 76 FPL points in the last eight Gameweeks at an average of 9.5 points per match.

Pogba’s manager unsurprisingly saw the positives in his performance:

I think he can look back on these games and say that he is on his way. Paul is a fantastic midfielder and he can always improve and he’s one of those lads who wants to improve and he wants to see this game and wants to see what he could have done better. He’s playing more or less every minute, so of course, now the recovery in between games will be important for him.

Both Pogba and Rashford required treatment from the United physio during the game but appeared to run off their respective knocks, with Pogba completing the full 90 minutes and Rashford moving freely when substituted in the final quarter of an hour.

Solskjaer confirmed in his post-match press conference that Rashford had only been suffering from a “dead leg” early on but was able to carry on.

Shaw impressed in attack and in defence as United recorded their third clean sheet in the last five Gameweeks: no other Premier League side has as many in 2019.

Solskjaer said of his side’s defensive efforts:

We know we can play better but you can’t play fantasy football every time and today we could have controlled the game more. But when we didn’t, we fought for the next ball, we fought for our mates next to us, we put our heads on the line, we put our bodies on the line and it was a great defensive performance from inside the box I have to say.

There were a couple of bruised noses and knees, and dead legs. They fought for their three points today. I think we deserved it in that respect. In the second half when we could have controlled it more, we could have slowed it down. But we defended really well. Eric [Bailly] and Victor [Lindelof] were fantastic and David [de Gea] again of course.

If you have the foundation of a clean sheet you’ll always be in with a chance to win a game and we’ve got a keeper that saves us, we’ve got a back four that sacrifices everything in the box, a couple of midfielders who made a couple of great blocks, that was absolutely amazing to watch and the attitude has been spot on ever since I came.

Youngster Harvey Barnes (£5.5m), who was brought into the Leicester starting XI for the injured Marc Albrighton (£5.1m) in Claude Puel’s only change, performed admirably on the left flank without reward, with Maddison another to catch the eye in the number ten role.

Ricardo Pereira (£5.3m) will no doubt be a popular buy when Leicester’s fixtures turn for the better in Gameweek 27 but Ben Chilwell (£5.0m) was just as much of an attacking threat from full-back on Sunday, registering more touches in the final third than any other player on show.

Puel said of his side’s display:

A lot of frustration again because we had a poor performance at the beginning of the game. We have had the first good ball and first good recovery but all the time we didn’t take our responsibility to play forward and take the space and put them under pressure.

At the same time, we played laterally or behind but yes, it was poor about our intention, I don’t know why. When we played forward, we gave good support with good attack.

In the second half, it was interesting, better, with a lot of pressure, good impact, good quality in the play with a lot of chances.

I think at the end it’s not a fair result because we deserved a draw, perhaps more.

The Leicester boss also gave an update on Albrighton before kick-off:

It’s bad news with Marc. He had an injury yesterday with his hamstring so he cannot play this game.

Finally, Puel confirmed that new signing Youri Tielemans (£6.0m) may be able to feature next weekend:

He made one training session with us. He knows the team, he knows how we can play.

He has a full week [of training] next week and I hope we can use him in the next game.

Leicester City XI (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Ricardo, Maguire, Evans, Chilwell; Ndidi, Mendy (Iheanacho 84′); Barnes, Maddison (Ghezzal 62′), Gray (Okazaki 74′); Vardy. 

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Young, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw; Herrera, Matic, Pogba; Lingard (Jones 89′), Rashford (Lukaku 77′), Sanchez (Martial 67′).

2,087 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    That superball stadium is impressive. Can’t stand American football though it’s way to stop start and just has never appealed IMO.

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Bummer!

    2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Pretty crap game so far.....the stadium is so good the MLS team draws 55,000 per game

  2. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Any updates on TAA?

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Klopp said he’s very close. Should be back GW26

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        thank you!

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I think he'll now want to give him the extra two weeks before United.

  3. easy_conners
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Dendoncker worth a shout at 4.3? Likely bench fodder and has played all minutes the passed 4.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Midfielder?
      I'm surprised he took time to break through. A good shout at fodder but no more.

      1. easy_conners
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep he is a mid. Seems like a good shout for fodder.

  4. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    How was Laca yesterday? Can't afford Auba and not sure if Laca will play next 3 games or will be used in Europa more, but looking for Arsenal cover for next 3 games.

    1. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t go there.

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Could be worth it, but risky. Aubameyang is a guaranteed starter, he is not.

  5. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    What do you think of the prospect of this team?

    Etheridge
    Doherty AWB Robertson Digne
    Son Suarez Salah Pogba
    Rashford Aguero

    Button, Shaw, King, Fraser

  6. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best newcastle centerback to get? Schär scored two recently, Lejeune has the best BAPS since he began to start but Lascelles is probably the most nailed?

  7. bigbudgie
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    When is the last time aguero got back to back hatricks?

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Not happening.

      1. Hansel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        haha

      2. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Close your eyes and just picture it...

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Cheeky

    3. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Think I would have an orgasm if that happened.

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        100 odd points from captain alone...

        1. bigbudgie
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          TC I mean

    4. Where has all the rum gone?
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Couldn't care less.

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Bitter non owner?

        1. Where has all the rum gone?
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          Sad non owner. But I take my sterling capt with some happiness.

    5. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I might quit. Rank would be decimated.

      Nah probably wouldn’t quit. Would be upset for a while though

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        A million teams with aguero (c)

      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Surprisingly he's never done it in his career, but he has gone hat-trick, brace a few times.

      1. bigbudgie
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Really! Well, there's a first time for everything...

        1. Where has all the rum gone?
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          He's gotten RC too. Haha!

      2. clodhopper
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Fpl heaven

  8. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on

    Sane + siggy > mane + jota (-4)

    1. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nope for me, save

    2. Kuzser
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Just jota? As a sane owner I'm also pissed off, but he might still get decent return vs Everton and then play against chelsea

  9. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    So many options to get Son/Auba. Please help with the best one?
    2ft, 1.4itb
    1) hazard, kamara -> Auba, moutinho
    2) hazard, digne-> son, kola/taa
    4) hazard, kamara, sane -> Auba, Son, jota for-4
    5) hazard, kamara, digne, anderson -> Auba, Son, westwood, jonny for -8

    FAB, 4.0
    Robbo awb Pereira (schindler digne)
    Sane hazard Salah Anderson pogba
    Rashford Jimenez (kamara)

    1. DR0GBA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      4

    2. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      4

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      4

  10. easy_conners
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Brooks out for Moutinho? 5.2 Max.

    1. FPL DONKEY
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping. He'll be back around GW27/28 and plays in both blanks.

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Why keep while he has bad fixtures and is injured, while Moutinho has 4 good games and is in form?

    2. easy_conners
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      That’s my thinking Duffy.

  11. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Guaita 4.0
    Robertson Kolasinac Bennet AWB X

    A)Doherty
    B)Pereira
    C)TAA (if fit)
    D)Shaw

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      TAA - Doherty if not fit

  12. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Brady sacked LOL

    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Who's that?

    2. Where has all the rum gone?
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Superbowl.

  13. ol3andre
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Play one:

    A) Doherty (NEW H)
    B) Holebas (EVE H)
    C) Digne (WAT A)

    Been missing these hard beching choices all season...always bench a 6-10 pointer...

    1. easy_conners
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Doherty for sure.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A Hazard or B Sané to Pogba?

    1. Bleh
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane for me

    2. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A by far.
      His next 3 are MCI blank TOT.

  15. Pishpott
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Rp
    In a real dilemna about what to do this week
    A Aguero and Hazard to Son and Auba
    B Richa and Aguero to Son and Laca
    C Haz and Kamara to Son and Jimmy (bench Rich)

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A

  16. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Alonso, Richarlison ➡ Son, Trippier for a hit?

    Would you rather have Richarlison (wat) or Hazard (mci) for the next one?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Haz

  17. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Rich, Alonso to Son, Kola
    B) Sterling, Rich, Alonso, Kama to Son, Moutinho, Auba, Kola (-8!)
    C) Sterling, Alonso, Kama to Auba, Kola, Jota (-4)

    I think A prob sensible hard to squeeze in Auba, thoughts?

  18. Salalalalah
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Best 5.8 attacker, to rotate with Jimenez and Rashford?
    a) Barnes
    b) Rondon
    c) llorente

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rondon

  19. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Wow. Everyone of my outfield scorers got 5 or more except Salah to come and stupid Sane C

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      You don't own Richarlison? 😮

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😀

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        No should I get him in you think?

  20. HD7
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts?

    Thinking about something like this after the blank GW27:

    Fab
    Doherty Robbo AWB Pereira
    Salah Pogba Son
    Rashford Auba Kun

    Subs: Button, Bednarek, Camarasa, Hayden

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Let the games play.
      Reposting won't make the answer appear.

  21. ChuckN
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Oh man i have sane TC and kun vice. Just my luck.

    What odds Sane doesnt play next game???? Please!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1%

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Likely to get full 90. You played it sensibly but pep had other ideas

  22. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Maddison nailed? Has seen reduced minuites if late. He seems like the perfect direct replacement for Richarlison in that price bracket given the fixture turn.

      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I'd rather Harvey Barnes from that Leicester side.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        What happened to maddiso? Any leicester fan care to explain. He was their shining creative force in mid earlier in season and set peice specialist. Who feeds vardy without him?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      A good point- hadn’t considered actually...

      Looks great shout from gw27 onwards...

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, was looking at him this gameweek and was watching the United game mainly to watch him play. Puel's random subs means it's a no-go for me.

  23. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Kun to Auba for free?

    1. Balotellitubbies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I would do that

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers... will do it later in the week...

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Rest vs Everton makes a hold easier, next weeks move worse case.

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yep will keep if he is rested vs toffees... thanks

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Nahh. Kun will start vs chelsea and he has great record against top teams

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Yep

    5. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Many thanks...

  24. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Who to drop for Son:

    1. Rich
    2. Sane
    3. Hazard

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone of those.. 1 first

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah all three are droppable.
        Will drop the remaining two by GW27 for sure.

    2. Balotellitubbies
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      132 in that order

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks.

    3. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      2. Mendy back will complicate things further. Atleast other 2 is nailed

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Is Mendy actually back back?

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1, easily.

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

    5. Where has all the rum gone?
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      1

  25. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    3-0 Patriots

    1. camarozz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      I suppose Aguero got them did he???

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Here come the Rams baby

  26. Balotellitubbies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    A) Digne Rich > Bednarek Son (-4)
    B) Sterling Kamara > Auba 4.5mid (-4)
    C) Yolo and do all moves for -12

    While C) looks crazy I basicly have to take -8 over the next couple of weeks to get Auba and prepare for gw27.

  27. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Lose Sane or Sterling for Son?

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Sane

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Mendy threat?

  28. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Total captain points? 440... 😀

      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      461

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        😮 link?

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          ..... Kun triple cap..... well done... I was probably ahead of you before this GW...

          1. Chucky
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 1 month ago

            Great OR too...

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      338

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 1 month ago

        Erm 388

        1. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 1 month ago

          😀

  29. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Ederson ➡️????

    CHEAP SET AND FOGET.

    Thinking Etheridge or Guaita??

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 1 month ago

      Hugo has served me well but he’s not cheap... go for Etheridge

  30. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 1 month ago

    Dilly dilly.