Scout Notes

Martial and Lukaku fit to face Wolves as concern over Pogba’s form grows

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has declared Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial fit to play in Manchester United’s second Gameweek 32 fixture against Wolves on Tuesday.

Martial limped out of United’s 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday, while Lukaku was an unused substitute having picked up a foot injury over the international break.

Speaking to the club’s website on Monday morning, Solskjaer said:

Anthony and Romelu will both be ready for tomorrow, definitely, unless they break down in training today [Monday] but it looks good, yeah.

The now-permanent United boss also ruled four players out of the trip to Molineux but will welcome Victor Lindelof back into the first-team fold:

Victor has had a good few days of training now so he’ll be ready. Apart from that, [Matteo] Darmian and Eric [Bailly] are still out. [Antonio] Valencia is still out and Alexis Sanchez is still out. But it’s a good strong squad.

There is, of course, nothing that Fantasy Premier League managers can do ahead of United’s second Gameweek 32 fixture but Saturday’s underwhelming display against the Hornets may have added to existing doubts about some of their Fantasy assets going into Gameweek 34 and beyond (both the Red Devils and Javi Gracia’s side blank in Gameweek 33).

Of particular concern will be Paul Pogba‘s drop-off in performances and underlying statistics and the Frenchman is the initial focus of our Scout Notes below.

Manchester United 2-1 Watford

  • Goals: Marcus Rashford (£7.6m), Anthony Martial (£7.2m) | Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.9m)
  • Assists: Luke Shaw (£5.1m) | Isaac Success (£4.6m)

No penalty box touches, no chances created and one 30-yard shot that was blocked: Paul Pogba‘s (£8.9m) key numbers in the win over Watford on Saturday won’t have changed the growing opinion that the Frenchman’s Fantasy appeal is not what it was.

Underlying statistics don’t always tell the whole story but those watching the match will have voiced similar concerns over Pogba’s below-par display, which brought to mind some of his inconsistent, infuriating performances under Jose Mourinho.

We can’t be too hard on the France international after his unsustainable purple patch between Gameweeks 18 to 26 but his tail-off in key performance indicators isn’t a one-week anomaly: Pogba’s rate of penalty box touches, attempts on goal and key passes under Solksjaer has dropped by 50% or more from Gameweek 27 onwards.

The thought that the return of the defence-minded Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic (both £5.0m) might aid his cause didn’t pan out either, with those two midfielders flattering to deceive against the Hornets at Old Trafford.

Pogba had initially lined up alongside those two players in a 4-3-3 but Watford’s early dominance prompted a reshuffle from Solskjaer midway through the first half, with the Frenchman subsequently playing alongside Herrera in a 4-4-2 diamond and the hitherto poor Juan Mata (£6.1m) brought in off the flank to play as a “number ten” – a role that Pogba’s owners would love to see him regularly occupy.

Solskjaer’s post-match comments about Pogba’s positional flexibility – and a possible deeper role in the future – only furthered concerns.

The Norwegian said:

Paul is important to us. We couldn’t keep the ball today and, as I’ve said, 50-50 possession at home, you’re a bit disappointed with that.

But Paul has been away and he’s played two games for France. Of course, he’s playing a bit deeper for them so that might be something we have to think about as well to get him more involved in the game and make him dictate games more for us.

That’s from game to game. As you can see, Paul can do both. He can attack and defend.

As mentioned, Herrera and Matic weren’t any better, while Mata proved that he is not a right-winger in a 4-3-3 with an awful showing early on.

Even Anthony Martial (£7.2m), who followed up his own rebound to put United 2-0 in front, didn’t really impress despite his eye-catching penalty box touch and “big chance” counts (two of which were admittedly accounted for by his goal).

The lively Marcus Rashford (£7.6m) and Luke Shaw (£5.1m) did shine, however, and it was those two players who combined for United’s opener when Rashford ran on to his team-mate’s superb through-ball to dink a finish over Ben Foster (£4.6m).

Solskjaer said:

I thought Rashy was fantastic, he gave us the energy that the others lacked.

Luke has got so much in his locker and I can’t wait to see it blossom. He’s exceptional going forward and his sharpness defending, as well. I thought he was top class until he got his cramp.

Shaw avoided collecting his tenth booking of the season but still has one match to go before the threat of a possible two-game ban passes.

With Victor Lindelof (£5.1m) omitted for personal reasons, Phil Jones (£5.1m) and Chris Smalling (£5.6m) lined up at centre-back and those two defenders had to be at their best to repel a Watford attack that registered 20 shots to United’s eight.

Solskjaer suggested that injuries had plagued his preparations for Saturday’s match and affected United’s performance:

The first 20 minutes, we started so slow and sloppy. You could see that we’ve had players out with injuries. We’ve not really been able to train them that much. It’s one of them first games after the international break: you’re looking forward to them, but you know they might be a potential banana skin.

But after we scored – great goal, by the way – I thought the rest of the first half we played some great counter-attacking stuff. We defended well, we had to because they were dominant, but I thought Chris and Jones especially were fantastic and kept us in it.

Watford deserve a lot of credit and a handful of their players would have cemented their places in Fantasy managers’ thoughts for the Hornets’ appealing double-header against Huddersfield and Southampton in Gameweek 35.

Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.9m) scored Watford’s consolation after a neat one-two with substitute Isaac Success (£4.6m) but even before that point the Frenchman impressed with his all-action display, dominating the United midfield and popping up frequently in dangerous areas: Doucoure had more shots than anyone on show at Old Trafford and registered more penalty box touches than Troy Deeney (£5.9m).

Many FPL managers will overlook Doucoure, of course, given that there is a cheaper, “out of position” option in the Watford midfield.

Gerard Deulofeu (£5.7m) lacked end product in Manchester on Saturday but was still a lively presence in the Watford attack, registering more penalty box touches than any other player bar Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) in Gameweek 32 thus far.

Roberto Pereyra (£6.0m), creator of a match-high five chances, and budget midfielder Will Hughes (£4.9m) were also prominent in and around the United area even if their final ball, like Deulofeu’s, was often found wanting.

Still, to go away to Old Trafford and dominate the hosts was a positive sign for easier tests ahead.

Gracia said of his side’s display:

We had a good performance. It’s true, it wasn’t enough to get the points but I’m happy with the performance. We need to finish better, we need to improve in the last metres. We created chances, we had more shots, more shots on target and more corners. We dominated and played a lot of time in the opposition half.

The first goal was a counter-attack and the second was a moment when we played well. But when you don’t kill the game against these teams with high quality, you know you can lose in any moment. We tried until the end. We believed but it wasn’t enough.

Fantasy managers who invested in Watford’s attacking assets may not reap the rewards from an appealing home fixture against Fulham on Tuesday if Gracia continues to rotate his squad ahead of the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The Watford boss chose Saturday’s match to rest his entire back four from the FA Cup quarter-final win over Palace a fortnight earlier but his front six players were all unchanged and the likes of Deeney and Deulofeu could well be handed a breather at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.

Gracia said of his team selection:

In all the games, I made changes, but I have a good squad. I have to choose different players because in eight days we are going to play three important games. I know all of them are ready to compete, to play. I only have to choose.

The likes of Success and Andre Gray (£5.9m), then, could be handed a rare league start against the relegation-threatened Cottagers.

Daryl Janmaat (£4.9m) hobbled off after 55 minutes of this encounter and will be assessed, with Gracia potentially providing an update in his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Young, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Herrera (Pereira 65′) Matic, Pogba; Mata (Lingard 65′) Rashford, Martial (Rojo 75′).

Watford XI (4-4-2): Foster; Janmaat (Femenia 56′) Kabasele, Britos, Masina; Hughes (Success 81′), Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra; Deulofeu (Gray 73′) Deeney.

731 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Toby Lerone
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    What should i use my FT on here? WC 34 so need to use one

    FAB
    taa kolasinac awb
    Salah mane haz Fraser maddison
    HIGUAIN wilson

    A) Fabianski > Schmeichel
    B) Higuain > Vardy

    Currently thinking A but unsure in Higuain minutes

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      A
      B sideways

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I'd pick the Newcastle keeper

      1. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Do you not think palace will score?

    3. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      B

    4. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Fab > Kepa?

    5. Effe
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      B easily in my opinion. Vardy on great form and Higuain is awful.

  2. Jammyfpl
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    1.3 itb Gw 33 team planning to wildcard next week, and punts you would consider? Currently thinking to just do sterling to mane. Thanks guys!

    Kepa
    Taa WanB Schlupp Mee
    Salah Haz Almiron McNeil
    Rondon Wilson

    4.0 Fredericks Sterling Kun

  3. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    1FT, 1.5 ITB. Suggested changes for GW33? Thanks!

    Fab
    Robertson - TAA - Pereirra - AWB
    Salah - Hazard - Fraser - Maddison
    Vardy - Wilson

    Button - F.Anderson - Jimenez - Doherty

    1. Jammyfpl
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Can’t see anything obvious mate I like the triple Leicester! Maybe upgrade Fabianski?

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        This.

  4. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Dubravka
    TAA AWB Chilwell
    Salah() Mane Maddison Almiron Fraser
    Wilson Higuain

    G2G??

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

    Pogba/Arnie -> Tielemans/Lacazette(or Auba) worth a -4?

    im chasing and need to make some punts

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Can’t really lose if they play, as otherwise you’d have scored nothing anyway. Seems good to me if you want them replaced anyway for being currently out of form.

  6. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    It's going to be tough choosing 5 mids for GW34 WC. I've consider all of these mids:

    Salah
    Sterling
    Mane
    Son
    Alli
    Pogba
    Martial
    Bilva
    Jota
    Deulofeu
    JWP
    Camarasa

    1. Bada Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I would axe Salah and Pogba from that list immediately, both have been useless for weeks now.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      It'll be great If son finds his form again. Son over Kane can help to build much better squad.
      Sterling,Mane looks to be nailed on for their spots.
      Deulofeu & Jota offers value.

      Bilva if stays on RW can be great too

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        It's going to be tough getting rid of Pogba & Salah. Quality players who can definitely punish us. I need another set of games to make up my mind.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Yeah
          Salah is too expensive though

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Sterling and Mane close to "essential" imo. Kun and Kane possible big hitters also, so budget may be limited(?)

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        I still don't trust Mane although I probably should but I reckon he's bound to go on a run of blanks. He has never been consistent throughout his career.

  7. Ungaio
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Guaita
    Robertson Kolasinac Chilwell
    Salah Hazard Mane Fanderson
    Vardy King Rondon

    Fabianski Digne Doherty Ward

    Fanderson replacement? 0.9 itb

    A) Fraser
    B) Maddison
    C) Özil

  8. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Anyone looking at Leno / Ryan combo on WC?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I am. Leno,Ryan & Foster in contention

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Leno has one 3 on the fixture ticker.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Three is the highest difficulty they have 🙂

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            Yes.
            Nice run of fixtures till the end.

            1. FPL Pillars
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 12 months ago

              Arsenal should be better for CS in practice but in reality...

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      No WC for me but I'm probably gonna get Leno

  9. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Do we know why Boruc didn't play on Saturday?

  10. Simmoo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Sterling, Pogba + Aguero -> Salah, Mane, Wilson?

  11. Simmoo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Who to captain?

    Guaita

    TAA, Kolasinac, AWB, Pereira, Luiz

    Salah, Mane, Hazard, Maddison

    Wilson.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I would go for Mane

  12. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    A) Barnes -> Auba
    B) Barnes + Lössl -> Auba + Leno -4
    C) Save FT
    D) Something else

    Lössl
    Robbo Azpi TAA Tarkowski
    Salah Hazard Fraser Barnes
    Wilson Barnes

    (Bednarek Pogba Jimenez Speroni)

    1FT 8.8itb

    No WC left. Will take hits til DGW35.

  13. Dthinger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    If Bednarek (on my bench) outscores Pogba (TC)...I'm gonna be pretty pissed.

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Pogba TC in his form and uncertain about pen duties was a bad move..

      1. Dthinger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Yeah, I was trying to stick to a plan that I determined several weeks ago, but maybe I should have adjusted for form.

  14. SpikeJonzee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Fraser or Maddison for GW33 only ? (plan to WC on GW34)

    1. Ungaio
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Im currently on Fraser

  15. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Kun (C) hoping he misses next...

  16. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Very serious 1st world problem 😉 Please do help!!!

    I changed my name from "Nose for baps" to this one. Somebody asked if I can sniff baps miles away. So I remembered that word and thought it would be nice. But now I notice this can be shortened to BS 🙁

    What do I do?!? (And, no I'm not native English speaker.)

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      change BAPS to BUM.

      Sorted.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Nope, I'll leave that for you.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          ...but dogs sniff each others bums?

          1. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            I sniff baps, goals and points! But sometimes my vision is not the best.

        2. Baps hunter
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          U b..ch like me Christina?!? Or a cat person? Or just growing grass? I do like eating it sometimes though 🙂

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            I don't eat grass. I smoke it.

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      What sort of naps do you sniff?

  17. ㅤRising
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    WC34 draft how it looks?

    Ryan Foster
    Valery Duffy Doherty TAA Kolasinac
    Sterling Mane B.Silva Jota Deulofeu
    Kane Auba Rashford

    0.1ITB

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Excellent

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Good but why:
      Valery over Bednarek?

      1. ㅤRising
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        More chance for an attacking return I guess, if I need that 0.1 will probably go for Bednarek

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Aguerroooo??

      1. ㅤRising
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        dont know yet, there is a crowded schedule coming up for them in april, but I havent ruled him out yet.

  18. teneighty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Who is the best goalie to get for a one week punt before WC in GW34?
    Looking at Lloris to Schmeichel.
    Kepa is another option but I will already be playing Luiz.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Dubravka

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Crystal Palace usually score at least one goal. Don't trust Newcastle to shut them down.

    2. simong1
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Kepa prob the best option but if you already have Luiz I'd go with Schmeichel

  19. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Gunn Ryan
    Kola TAA Bednarek Schlupp Duffy
    Mane Fraser Sterling Bilva Camarassa
    Firmino Kane Kun

    What do you reckon guys?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      WC ?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Alternative to GW34 WC

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Love it.
          Like the Man City triple up. I'm also looking@ it. If i go Son instead of Kane i can get that.
          Your TV is insane 😮

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            TV good but cost me points though.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Too many Man City?

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Why?
        This side or WC 34.

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 12 months ago

          Thats your current team or WC draft?

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 12 months ago

            WC draft. Can afford it exactly.

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      not a lot of players for GW33

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        8 should be enough. I might hold back Kane to 34 and have 9

  20. The 5% Team
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Just realised Everton have 4 clean sheets in their last 5 matches

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Look @ the Pickford points tally 😮
      Sh.t real life, Hero in fpl !

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        He gets 2 saves for every save he makes!

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      That's captain Morgan for ya...

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Upturn in form big.

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Digne essential

  21. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Here is how my lot currently line up for GW33. In advance of a WC34, which would you do for a 1 week punt?

    £1.1itb 1FT
    Fab*
    Robbo, TAA, Pereira, Luiz
    Salah, Haz, Maddison
    Higuain*, Wilson, Barnes
    (Hmaer) (JWP, Pogba*, Doherty)

    A) Fab > Schmeichel/ Dubravka/ Leno
    B) Higuain > Vardy
    C) Fab, Higuain > Schmeichel/ Kepa/ Dubravka, Vardy (-4)
    D) Barnes, Pogba > Higuain, anyone (-4) (lose 0.4m TV on Pogba - not convinced I'd have him back on WC though)

    Cheers!

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Fab to Leno punty though

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 12 months ago

        Very!
        Both because ARS defence and Everton occasionally have the ability to show up in the form of Rich etc

  22. Shineonme
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    One FT 0.0 itb
    Would you use the FT Fab > Leno this week.
    Fab/
    Awb/ Vvd/ kola/
    Pogba/ Hazard, Mane/ Salah/
    Rashford/ Wilson/ Vardy/
    Subs cap/ Awb/ Bennett/ crap. WC in GW34

    1. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Sorry Schulpp on th bench not Awb

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Same boat as you. if I WC in 34 it will be a waste though.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Yes already done it.
      Will probably keep on WC & add Ryan.

  23. Yoshioka
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    A) Kepa
    B) Schmeichel
    C) Leno
    D) Dubravka

  24. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    What front 3 you expect to play for United vs Wolves?

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      I have a feeling they could be unchanged need Mata to unlock the Wolves def.

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 12 months ago

      Martial, lukaku, rashford

  25. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    Boruc
    Luiz - Robbo - Daniels - Schindler
    Salah - Hazard - Mane - Brooks
    Higuain - Rondon

    (Patricio - Pogba - Jiminez - Shaw.) 0.2 ITB and 1 FT.

    I know it's too early lol but what moves look nice for the next GW? I was thinking of doing 1) Shaw to Chilwell for free.

  26. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 12 months ago

    AUBENCH!