Scout Notes

How United players fared in their last game before Double Gameweek 35

Manchester United bowed out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were outclassed for much of the second leg in the Nou Camp, losing 3-0 on the night following their narrow loss in Manchester last week.

Attention now turns back to the race for a Champions League qualification spot which, for those interested in United’s Fantasy assets for the season run-in, can only be a positive regarding rotation and managed game-time.

The Red Devils’ double-header against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City in Gameweeks 37 and 38 certainly appeals, with their participation in European competition now at an end (the Champions League semi-finals are scheduled to take place around those fixtures).

Whether many FPL managers will take a punt on a United asset or two for their upcoming Double Gameweek against Everton and Manchester City is another question, of course, given the calibre of the opposition and their so-so form.

We assess their latest display in the Scout Notes article below.

Barcelona 3-0 Manchester United

Manchester United’s current B-list status in European football was underscored on Tuesday evening as they fell to a 3-0 defeat in the Nou Camp.

There is no disgrace in losing to Barcelona, of course, particularly when Lionel Messi is in full stride.

The Argentinean highlighted the gulf in class between the two teams with a virtuoso display, scoring on two occasions and causing plenty of problems for United’s makeshift, ramshackle defence.

The visitors actually made a bright start before Messi’s two-goal salvo effectively killed the tie after just 20 minutes, with Phillippe Coutinho finishing the scoring with an excellent curling effort in the second half.

Marcus Rashford (£7.4m) struck the bar with a toe-poke from a fine Paul Pogba (£8.7m) pass before the England striker called Marc-Andre ter Stegen into action with a scuffed effort from distance.

Barcelona had an early spot-kick award overruled after VAR intervention but it was a positive opening quarter of an hour for United, as Solskjaer was keen to stress after the game:

We did well to get here and we could see the difference between the two teams. The quality of finishing was outstanding. We started well for the first 15 minutes and we thought we’ve got something here, and then in four minutes they scored two goals which made it so hard.

The attitude was right. We knew we were fighting against a good team with good players. We know there’s work to do. We’ve said all along that this won’t change overnight and the next few years will be massive to get to the level teams like Barcelona are at.

Messi capitalised on poor play from Ashley Young (£5.7m) to open the scoring on 16 minutes before swiftly doubling Barca’s lead with an effort that squirmed under the body of David de Gea (£5.7m).

Solskjaer backed his under-fire goalkeeper after full-time, saying:

That’s unfortunate with goalkeepers. When you make an error it can get highlighted and that’ll be remembered tonight. But he made some fantastic saves as well, which all in all, his contribution to the team is good but sometimes that happens in football.

From the point of Messi’s opener, United didn’t have another attempt from inside the Barcelona box until substitute Alexis Sanchez‘s (£10.0m) late header drew a superb save out of ter Stegen.

Pogba tested the home goalkeeper from distance while Jesse Lingard (£6.7m) whistled a rising effort over ter Stegen’s bar but attacking forays were few and far between once Messi had put the tie to bed after 20 minutes.

Lingard and Rashford dovetailed between the right flank and a more central position to little effect, while Anthony Martial (£7.2m) was disappointing (and looked borderline disinterested) on the left-hand side of a 4-3-3/4-3-1-2.

Having lined up as part a deep-lying two against West Ham on Saturday, Pogba was back on the left of a central midfield three in Catalonia but had no real impact on the game and both of his shots came from well outside the Barcelona box.

With Luke Shaw (£5.0m) suspended, Young was moved over to left-back with fairly disastrous consequences while Victor Lindelof (£5.0m) shifted across to right-back to allow Phil Jones (£5.1m) and Chris Smalling (£5.6m) to continue their unconvincing partnership at centre-half.

It needs to be stressed that United won’t face a team like Barcelona (or a player like Messi) every week but the Red Devils do face City and Chelsea in the next two Gameweeks and were far from convincing even in recent victories over Southampton, Watford and West Ham.

It is now nine matches without a clean sheet for Solskjaer’s side in all competitions, which will be of interest to owners of Sergio Aguero (£11.7m), Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) et al ahead of the Manchester derby next week.

Whether their European exit can refocus their efforts on the Premier League remains to be seen – if United can swiftly recapture the form they showed in Solskjaer’s honeymoon period, then their final two fixtures of the season will firmly enter Fantasy managers’ thoughts.

The Norwegian said:

We want to play these [Champions League] games again next year, so we have a massive week coming up with Everton, City and Chelsea.

They’re disappointed but there’s no point dwelling on what could have been. It could have been different if we had started better and we got the first goal but now we have to concentrate on next week.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.8m) may get more of a look-in this weekend after only being thrown on as a late substitute, while Solskjaer welcomed back Sanchez from injury and suggested the Chilean will have a part to play in the final month of 2018/19.

The United boss said:

Alexis has been injured now since the start of March so he’s been out for six weeks. It was important that he got 15 minutes on the pitch and for his mentality as well – he knows his knee is okay. He was close to getting a goal.

Hopefully, he can give us a bit towards the end of the season so we can push to get into the top four.

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Jones, Lindelof, Smalling, Young; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Lingard (Sanchez 80′), Rashford (Lukaku 73′), Martial (Dalot 65′).

1,020 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    no tc here
    my bench now (ryan valery duffy deeney)
    A) Deeney > Llorente (-4) and play BB on gw35
    B) Deeney > Ings for ft and play BB on gw36

  2. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Best 2 strikers for 18.3 and under (not including Jimenez)? Will be bench boosting in GW35

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero and Wilson

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Aguero for sure
      Wilson
      Llorente?

  3. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Unfortunately, I currently have triple Brighton (Ryan/Dunk/Duffy) from GW34.

    Is Vardy/Dunk to Firmino/Valery for a -4 worth it?

    1. Trilly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

    2. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Just get rid of dunk and then next gw get rid of Vardy as have posted a couple of times I think Vardy will get a couple of goals this weekend

      1. SuperMane Returns
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Good point about Vardy, thanks

    3. The Artist
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Vardy has done well away from home this season. If memory serves, more than half of his points have been scored away. Up against a West Ham defense that has conceded 5 in its last 2 home matches, Vardy might well be worth keeping. At the moment, that's what I'm doing. Firmino at Cardiff is tempting, but banking on him scoring 4 more than Vardy is not by any means a sure bet. The other transfer seems well worth it, being for free and with Southampton's fixtures decidedly better than Brighton's.

  4. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    How many starts in the league do we think Lucas Moura gets out of 5?

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      3

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1 or 2

    3. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      4

  5. Tower Bridge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hi community.
    Like most people it seems that I also had a WC shocker, and now have some decisions to make.
    Firstly I have Deeney.
    Current squad looks like this
    Foster Ryan
    Robertson Doherty Trippier Valery Duffy
    Mane Son Eriksen Sterling Højbjerg
    Vardy Deeney Jiménez.
    I have 3.2 Million in the bank and 1 FT.
    I was planning to BB this week.
    I want to do Vardy to Firmino next week (GW36)

    So should I go Deeney to Wilson, or Zaha or go cheap to Ings.
    Also is it worth a -4 to ship out Ryan for Patrick or Lloris.

    Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Lloris has nice fixture run once City out the way.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Watford have cracking double could do with another player?

  6. Tower Bridge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Patricio

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Duffy > Watford or Southampton?

    Brighton won’t get anything again me thinks?

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Watford seem to be better the defence looked not to bad the other night just a shame about th RC

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Cathcart?

  8. HD7
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts guys?

    Lloris Foster
    Laporte Robbo Doherty Duffy Valery
    Sterling Eriksen Son Jota Camarasa*
    Aguero Jimenez Deeney*

    Camarasa Deeney to:
    A) Redmond, Ings
    B) Redmond, Gray
    C) Deolufeu(If fit), Ings
    D) Deolufeu(if fit), Gray

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      C or d not that happy about either forward what other choices can you get

    2. HaydenXL
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      i am in the same boat as you, i am thinking Gray and Deolufeu as they have played up top together before. just hoping Deolufeu is fit, but missing the arsenal game should prove he will be ok for this double

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Gray and Redmond if Delofeu aint fit probably...

        1. HaydenXL
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          yeh sounds like a good shout too me

  9. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Will be away from tomorrow with very little time to check FPL, how does the following for a hit sound?

    Lukaku + Deeney -> Firmino + Wilson (-4)

    Thinking to the end of the season with these moves

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sounds good to me

  10. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Hoe many SGW players in your team for 35?

    I have 3, too many?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      How

    2. Bruno Bruno!!
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      ill have 4 and playing the bench boost lol

    3. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Got 9 at the moment just depends who they are depending on predicted returns as we all have been caught out with getting dgw players in before

    4. grumpyman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Probably fine. People will have 2/3 Man City players and they will probably end up being SGW players too.

    5. Pras (FPL)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Also 3 - but Mane, TAA and Wilson have good enough fixtures to be solid picks.

    6. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Got 6. And delighted with my team

    7. The Artist
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      3: TAA, Salah, Vardy

      As it stands.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        These are in my team also.

    8. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’ll have 3 on BB in all likelihood. Salah, Robbo and Wilson

    9. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      9 + 1 on the bench

  11. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    If Spurs go through I will bring in Lloris, if they get knocked out I will bring in Lucas Moura. Does the logic of this seem sound?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I think Son gets pole position from now on.
      Lamela is now fit according to presser?

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      They still need to come top 4 regardless of champions league progress. Son will have to play a lot in both

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I’d think the other way round, main players rested for champs league and Llorente and Lucas playing in the league. We’re all guessing though

  12. money face bandwagon
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    With dunk duffy deeney and lloris as my bench probably I should just wait until gw36 to wildcard?

    1. money face bandwagon
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I mean bench boost

  13. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gray or Ings instead of Deeney?

  14. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What is the best use of transfer(s) for GW35 BB? 1ft
    1) Deeney -> Gray
    2) Deeney Siggi-> Wilson Deulofeu(if fit) for -4
    3) Deeney Siggi -> Wilson Redmond for -4
    4) Deeney Duffy -> Success Monreal for -4
    5) Deeney Duffy -> Wilson Bednarek for -4
    6) Deeney Duffy -> Gray Cathcart for -4

    Foster Ryan
    Valery Duffy Doherty TAA Vertongen
    Son Eriksen Salah Jota Siggi
    Jimenes Aguero Deeney

    1. Men in green tights
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      2 def

  15. SuperMane Returns
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gunn
    Doherty Robertson Bednarek
    Son Mane Sterling Jota
    Aguero Jimenez Vardy
    (Ryan Doucoure Duffy Dunk)

    If I used my FT for Dunk to Valery, which is best route....
    a) BB35 with Ryan/Doucoure/Duffy/Valery
    b) BB36

    Thanks in advance 🙂

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    any Watford defender worth a hit iyo?

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      would be for a Brighton defender (I don't really mind playing Duffy, he's a good hedge for my attacking players)

      1. Men in green tights
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        As above Cathcart

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          not sure about Cathcart, attacking returns/bonus? think I'd lean towards keeping Duffy tbh

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe Cathcart. Would love holebas to be fit

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        yeah I kinda feel like Holebas is the only one, but also think he'd get rotated even if fit..

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Kiko likely to play wide again with Deulo upfront?

  17. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    When will we know the outcome of Deeney’s appeal?

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Have Watford appealed ?? ....

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        I believe so

  18. Men in green tights
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Mili to mane for a -4 worth it or not

  19. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Who do you think does better on BB this week and then rotate rest of season ?

    A) Yoshida (new, wat)
    B) Cathcart (hud, SOU)

    I have Valery and Foster already

    1. Rash
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe A. Coin toss for me

    2. elchilangles
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      A

  20. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    At a complete loss of what to do now as my bench has about 3 points worth (if I'm lucky)

    Gunn
    Doherty robbo valery
    Sterling son eriksen kdb mane
    Vardy Jimenez

    Ryan Duffy deeney mariappa

    0itb 1ft

    BB and TC left

    A. Deeney to llorente (play BB)
    B. Deeney Duffy to cathcart rondon -4 (BB)
    C. Do nothing & cap Jimenez
    D. TC someoneand BB in 36
    E. Something else

  21. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Strategy question:

    Foster
    Laporte, TAA, fit Valery or Bednarek
    Mane, KdB, Eriksen, Son, Moura
    Aguero, Lacazette
    Ryan, Bednarek, Duffy, Deeney
    0.7 itb

    Valery and Bednarek have Hud gw38 and Deeney has Whu. So I could keep them and TC Mane 36 and bb 38. Better ideas?

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      1 ft

  22. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Looking at the following team for a hit?

    Planned moves: Lukaku + Deeney -> Firmino + Wilson

    Foster
    Vertonghen Doherty Laporte
    Son Jota Eriksen Mane Debruyne
    Firmino Jiminez

    Ryan Wilson TAA Valery

    Any suggestions

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    The armband goes to:

    A. Sterling
    B. Son
    C. Salah
    D. Jimenez

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      C

  24. Diedhiou See That?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Bench boosting this week.

    Deulofeu to Redmond for -4.

    Yes or no?

  25. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Why are people booing already?

  26. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Yay or Nay:

    Dunk >>> Cathcart ?

    Free transfer.

    Have foster, ryan and duffy.

    1. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Yay

  27. anish10
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    KDB(c) anyone?

  28. Bertrand Ernie
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Any love for Lukaku this week????