Dugout Discussion

Pogba back in attacking midfield as Matic returns

Paul Pogba (£8.9m) owners will be delighted to see Nemanja Matic (£5.0m) back in the side for Manchester United.

The Serbian international has missed the last three Premier League matches with injury, which forced Pogba to sit deeper than usual.

Matic’s return should allow the Frenchman to play a more advanced role in midfield once again, against an Arsenal defence with just one clean sheet in the last six Gameweeks.

Also of note is the fact that defender Diogo Dalot (£5.3m) has been named in front three once again.

He played there against Crystal Palace and Southampton, lining up on the right of Romelu Lukaku (£10.8m) at the Emirates Stadium today.

Marcus Rashford (£7.6m) also keeps his place although we will have to wait and see whether he plays centrally alongside Lukaku or out on the left flank.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has named both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.8m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.4m) in the starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 25.

He has also gone with a back-three of Sokratis Papastathopoulos (£5.1m), Laurent Koscielny (£5.4m) and Nacho Monreal (£5.4m) while Sead Kolasinac (£5.0m) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (£4.4m) occupy the wing-back spots.

Arsenal XI: Leno; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Maitland-Niles, Ramsey, Xhaka, Kolasinac; Özil; Lacazette, Aubameyang.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelöf; Diogo Dalot, Fred, Matic, Shaw; Pogba; Lukaku, Rashford.

1,439 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    FH 32, WC34, BB or TC 35

    When would you play TC?
    a) Mane v ful GW31
    b) Sterling v CAR GW33
    c) Sterling v TOT/Mun GW35
    d) Mane v HUD GW36

    If I play it GW35 more chance of Sterling playing both. Tough tough fixtures and can't use BB in DGW but might be more of a differential if chasing.

    Grateful for your views and alternative suggestions

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      B won't happen assuming City win their cup match. I'm tempted by GW38 if the title race lasts.

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Thanks, don't know why I forgot that B isn't going to realistically happen

    2. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      See who else has a double in 35

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        None who I like. Have I missed something?

  2. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Would you rather have Alisson and +4 or Mane

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I'm doing VVD, Son to Ake, Mane (-4). Fulham and Southampton score I think plus all my rivals have Mane. Suicide to go without

    2. Iceball
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Mane has 6.1 ppg and Alison 4.8 so on average a hit wont pay off.

  3. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    After GW31 do people think it may be time to sell Salah?

    I did it over the Xmas period and he ripped my rank to shreds as my ML lead so got him back but now considering dropping him again.

    Madness?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      S'ton away in 33 so maybe.

    2. Lucackadoodledoo
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Thinking the same. Remember though he banged in a hat trick against Bournemouth after being in bad form. Real tough call

    3. Ghost Gooner
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I think its too late to sell now without risk if you held, he might find form again just like during Xmas. The winners are those that sold for Mane or Sterling a few gws back

  4. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    NBCSN using virtual reality to show the swerve.

    1. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Maybe even CNN

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Just zoomed into DDGs brain.

  5. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Bring on Martial and Tominay

  6. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Not buying "look at the swerve on the xhaka shot"

    Just crappy keeping. Really bad

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Have United defense?

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Wrong footed himself and the rest is history.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Yea, terrible goalkeeping and a dumb excuse.

  7. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    If you could have any defender for GW31 and 33 only (FH32, WC34) - who would it be?

    Excluding Liverpool.

    1. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Chilwell.

      1. The Tinkerman
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        That’s who I had planned initially. But I can afford anyone up to 5.7... also looking at Pereira, who has a bit more of a goal threat. Do like Chilwell though. Also looking at Bournemouth now their attack is back, and maybe West Ham, and hope 1FT is enough to replace them and still field XI in 33

        1. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 20 days ago

          Chilwell looks to have great assist potential & has Huddersfield GW33. Bournemouth dont have attacking full-backs really, not that are nailed at least. West Ham good for GW31, not for GW33 with Chelsea imo.

    2. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Despite the disappointing time for owners on here I still think it may be Pereira.

    3. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Pereira.

    4. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Luiz

    5. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      azi

    6. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Azpi

  8. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Cmon Pogba!!

    1. S3
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      no need...we all have Pogba

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Points are points

      2. denial
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        League rivals don't

      3. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        This

    2. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      I benched him!

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        So far so good

  9. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Come on Utd!!! Let’s get our act together?

  10. sunzip14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Did Son>Fraser but still have one more FT to use. What to do? Upgrade Hamer, Schindler/Stankovic or Deulofeu and to whom? Have 4.3itb.

    Fab
    Luiz, Robbo, Chilwell
    Hazard, Mane, Felipe, Fraser
    Vardy, Rondon, Higuain

    Hamer, Schindler, Stankovic, Deulofeu

  11. S3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    need help:

    1) Son and Sterling to Hazard and Lanzini (-4) have 10 to play GW 32
    2) Son, TAA, Sterling to Mane, Diop, Hazard (-8) have 10 to play GW 32

    Using FH in 32

  12. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Milf with biggest upside in week 31?

    I own Salah, Mane,Hazard and Brooks.

    Sterling money to spend...

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Snoddy

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Mebbe Fraser.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Wrong website

    4. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      The milf have a different league.

  13. Kasper the ghost keeper
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Any chance Palace blank in 33?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      If they win in FA Cup.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Will blank if they beat Watford in the cup.

  14. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Shame Pogba wasn't shooting at DDG.

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Would be a strange thing to do tbf

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        Also would result in an OG

  15. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    DDG seeing things coz this guy roaming in the pitch?

    http://gph.is/1KthZDJ

  16. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Which combo will score more GW31 & 33?

    A) Mane & Kepa & Fraser (8 players in GW31)

    Or

    B) Wilson & Allison & Fraser & Maddison (9 players in GW31)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I like the one with Fraser.

  17. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Rash close

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Maybe see a doctor?

  18. tricpic
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Any improvements on this FH team?

    Fab
    Rice Robertson Pereira
    Salah Mane Haz Fraser
    Wilson Vardy Higuaín

    Chelsea def instead of Pereira?

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Double LFC decence v Double LFC attack is the main question.

      1. Gregor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Think I’d agree with the double attack against Fulham.

        1. tricpic
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 20 days ago

          Considered dropping Robbo and replacing Higuaín with Firmino too

        2. Zladan
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 20 days ago

          An almost guaranteed clean sheet means Mané/Salah/Firmino have to score to even match Robbo/TAA.

          That’s a goal without a TAA/Robbo assist.

          1. Chenku╰☆╮
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 20 days ago

            Doubt the CS. They need goals and will atleast go for it. Also TAA might not even start.

        3. FPL_Gyarados
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 20 days ago

          Triple attack is the way for me for one week only!

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Awesome, think I’d stick with Pereira.

  19. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Clever guy Sokratis. 🙂

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      did you mean Socrates?

  20. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    GW 32 FH is going to be the most template GW ever.

    Every man and his dog will have Aguero, Sterling, Ederson, Pogba, Rashford, Shaw, Higuain, Hazard, Luiz and AWB( for $$ reasons). That just leaves 1 spot for a differential.

    Takes the charm out of the DGW. 🙁

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Quite a few using fh 31 I think.

      1. Hect.OR 98th
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Yep, I’ve joined them. Having a difficult season and have boxed myself in. FH is the way out.

    2. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Yup. Would be more interesting if City lose in FA cup

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I have 7 of those already so am really confused by the love for FH32. Why not FH31?

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Either way, it will be very template.

      2. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        I'm still torn over this decision. If everything works out as it should, 32 would be ripe for triple captain or bench boost

      3. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 19 days ago

        and how will you navigate blank GW33?

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 19 days ago

          Wildcard

          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 19 days ago

            Although to be fair I am likely to have 5 for GW33, plus 2 Chelsea brought in for a hit for GW32, so will be on 7, so might not need WC anyway.

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I have no intention of owning Ederson, Shaw and Luiz

    5. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      It will be the ultimate FFS v Casual GW

    6. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      But only the FFS diehards will be playing their FH. Maybe Brexit will have affected it by then.

    7. Rash
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Well I'll likely be having lukaku. You forget that not everyone has FH so what might seem template on here won t be overall.

    8. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Need to lose the free hit chip.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Agreed. Bring back all out attack. It was low potential but theres no need for all the chips to be so high impact.

    9. LSK
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      I’ll get Holebas instead of AWB as a differential I think.

    10. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      True but both my rivals have used theirs. Maybe not sure of Shaw. Dalot? Or Lolderof.

    11. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Leaves me with about £4.7m for the differential!

    12. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Doubt I can afford everyone back that I've sold!

  21. Hect.OR 98th
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    FH activated. Had enough of sliding down to almost 500k and with only 5 players and 2FTs, had to do something radical.

    Rondon over Higuain for the final spot?

  22. Lucackadoodledoo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Arsenal to win the league next season?

    1. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      With that defence?!

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        We will sign Bamba don’t worry

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Stop drinking

  23. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    How did that not go in

    1. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Leno heroics

  24. Louis Van Gaalstones
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Lindelof has been terrible at keeping a defensive line, kept people onside multiple times

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Hes just so mediocre. What is he supposedly good at? Being consistent?

      1. Louis Van Gaalstones
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        He was bought for his pace/passing ability I think

  25. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Ref is watching the match on dial up.

  26. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Should have been a Pogba yellow card there. Sokratis kneed

  27. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Worth getting Hazard before price increase tonight/ tomorrow?

  28. Scotty B
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    So Vardy was/is the better option in the Higuain v Vardy debate or is Higuain the better option overall 30-38?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Don't need to keep them all season. Vardy has the fixtures.

  29. Chenku╰☆╮
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    Didnt watch the scoutcast this week. What is Joe doing for gw31 FH or just taking hits?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Probably this weeks scoutcast.

      1. Chenku╰☆╮
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 20 days ago

        Cool

  30. shearer9
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 20 days ago

    How did Higuain play today? Plan to get him and Hazard in this week but I could get Wilson and/or Fraser instead.

    1. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Had plenty of hopeful shots but same old Chelsea plenty of possession but didn’t create any clear chances...

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 20 days ago

      Not great, Wolves defended well though.

    3. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 19 days ago

      Decent chances but credit to Wolves defense