Scout Notes

The latest on Rashford and Greenwood as United flop away from home again

It is now seven away league games without a victory for Manchester United after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at West Ham United.

While the Red Devils admittedly had to face the likes of Arsenal and an in-form Everton in the 2018/19 run-in, they have so far failed to beat Wolves, Southampton and the Hammers on the road this season.

We reflect on their latest away-day display in our Scout Notes below.

West Ham United 2-0 Manchester United

  • Goals: Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.9m), Aaron Cresswell (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Felipe Anderson (£6.9m), Mark Noble (£5.0m)
  • Bonus: Yarmolenko x3, Cresswell x2, Lukasz Fabianski (£5.0m) x1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said that Marcus Rashford (£8.5m) may be “out for a little while” after the England striker limped out of Sunday’s defeat to West Ham.

Rashford, again leading the line in the absence of the sidelined Anthony Martial (£7.6m), lasted an hour of the match at the London Stadium before having to be replaced.

Solskjaer said after full-time:

We’ve got to scan him tomorrow, he felt his groin. He’ll probably be out for a little while but I can update you later on when I know that.

Those comments would perhaps excite owners of Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) given United’s dearth of fit options up top, although the Norwegian went on to say that Martial isn’t too far away from a return.

Greenwood himself failed to make the 18-man squad this afternoon because of a bout of tonsillitis, with Solskjaer saying after full-time:

Hopefully, Mason and Anthony will be back for – definitely Arsenal – hopefully, one of them for Rochdale.

There was further positive news from Solskjaer regarding his injury-hit United side, with the United boss saying about the absent Paul Pogba (£8.4m) ahead of kick-off:

Hopefully, we can get him back next week. He started training yesterday. Probably get some minutes against Rochdale, but definitely we think he’s ready for Arsenal.

The players that made it onto the pitch didn’t pose much of a danger in a stuttering display, with Rashford fairly anonymous up top save for a couple of threatening darts from wide areas.

Daniel James (£6.2m) had little joy on his favoured left flank, meanwhile, with his only shot on goal hitting the side netting late in the game.

United’s striking crisis was laid bare when the Wales international briefly had a spell up front late in the game – United’s makeshift front four in the last ten minutes consisting of James, Jesse Lingard (£6.4m), Andreas Pereira (£5.0m) and Angel Gomes (£4.9m).

The imminent return of Martial and Pogba may well have a galvanising effect, of course, and Pogba’s creativity has been sorely missed in central midfield – Nemanja Matic (£4.8m) turning in another sub-par display in his stead.

Solskjaer said of his side’s attacking performance:

We didn’t create enough chances, but we did create big chances that we didn’t take. They didn’t create too many either and it’s a game that could have gone both ways. When you have Marcus and Dan James I don’t think pace is the problem..

The two sides’ defences will be a topic of discussion after this fixture.

For Manchester United, this was another away match without a clean sheet but there have been hints that the Red Devils are capable of recording more shut-outs than they managed last season.

Solskjaer’s side were undone by a well-crafted Andriy Yarmolenko (£5.9m) strike and a stunning Aaron Cresswell (£4.9m) free-kick but didn’t allow the Hammers a single ‘big chance’ all match and their expected goals conceded tally is the lowest of all 20 Premier League sides this season.

The Red Devils, indeed, have only allowed one big chance away from home in 2019/20.

Certainly, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) put in another solid shift from a defensive perspective, even if his distribution was bordering on the woeful.

West Ham, meanwhile, have quietly gone about racking up three successive clean sheets.

One of the worst defences of 2018/19 have looked surprisingly solid in the last three Gameweeks, with Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) and Issa Diop‘s (£4.5m) partnership blooming at the heart of the Hammers’ backline.

The return of the all-action (and sometimes criticised) Mark Noble (£5.0m) can’t be underestimated, either, with defensive midfielder Declan Rice (£4.9m) having looked exposed alongside Jack Wilshere (£4.8m) in the first two Gameweeks of the season.

That’s not to say that West Ham haven’t ridden their luck in the last three Gameweeks: Todd Cantwell (£5.0m), Wesley (£6.0m) and Jack Grealish (£5.9m) had all had gilt-edged opportunities against Manuel Pellegrini’s side and today it was the turn of Juan Mata (£6.4m) and Harry Maguire (£5.5m) to spurn excellent chances, with Mata unable to convert a Pereira cross from close range and Maguire firing straight at Fabianski when unmarked.

One worry for West Ham’s backline would be a possible injury picked up by right-back Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m), who limped off with ten minutes to go.

Pellegrini said of his side’s performance:

Manchester United didn’t create too many chances, we tried to play high, to have good recovery and you must be happy when you score two goals and don’t concede.

For 45 minutes we perhaps played too fast, and both teams lost too many balls, so to score the first goal was a key factor to try and win the game.

I said at half-time if we continued to defend as we did in the first half, not just in our box, but force them to make mistakes immediately when they came into our half, then we are not going to concede too many opportunities. 

Sebastien Haller (£7.5m) wasn’t able to get much change out of Maguire but will have easier tests in the weeks ahead against less-solid backlines.

Yarmolenko and Felipe Anderson (£6.9m) caught the eye, though, with the pair combining well for the Ukraine international’s goal and then Yarmolenko almost returning the favour in the second half.

In truth, this wasn’t a game for the attacking assets on show – which perhaps is a testament to the defensive improvement both sides have shown following a sub-par 2018/19.

West Ham United XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Fredericks (Zabaleta 79′), Diop, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Noble, Rice; Yarmolenko (Snodgrass 88′), Fornals, Anderson (Wilshere 70′); Haller.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Young; Matic (Fred 70′), McTominay; Pereira, Mata (Gomes 80′) James; Rashford (Lingard 60′).

Members Analysis

Lessons learned from Gameweek 6:

3,161 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Evening lads, what do you think of this WC:

    Pope
    TAA | Ota | Aurier | Pereira
    Mount | KDB | Son
    Abraham | Aguero | Auba

    4.0 Cantwell, Lund, Nakamba

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Like it a lot.

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Personally wouldn’t Aguero but yes very nice

      2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers, My only concern is Pukki which I have. It's Pukki +mana or Auba+ Mount for me.

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Prefer Auba Mount

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      midfield seems light. I seriously would consider Sterling and then degrade Agureo

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers mate. After yesterday, Can't see behind Aguero.

    3. DeathoftheParty
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No Lpool attack?

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yea, I'm gonna bet on this hard run until GW 13..

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Hard run - if you think of Utd as an easy fixture then it’s really only spurs and city both of which are at home

          1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            IMO Leicester and Utd Away are not gonna be easy. both know how to tighten themself. It's just my opinion and I think I'm gonna bet on this. But you could be right at the end mate.

    4. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Downgrade defence and get a good 4th mid

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Who would you go for?

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

          Sterling

    5. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I actually like it but no Pool attack will hurt you.

  2. BremerHB
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I should probably step away from FPL, right?

    All out attack WC?! (3-4-3):

    Heaton - McGovern
    Diop - Soyuncu - Lowton - Lundstram - Rico
    Salah - Sterling - KDB - Mount - Hayden
    Pukki - Abraham - Aubameyang

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

      Aubameyang to aguero and it looks spot on

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

    Weighing up some options this week. Which combo scores more next few weeks?

    A - Salah and Barnes
    B - Son and Firmimo?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B coz I don’t expect much from Barnes

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

        worth making the moves this week or wait a week and reassess?
        Pope
        TAA Otta Soyuncu Rico Lunds
        Sterling Salah Moura KDB Cantwell
        Barnes Pukki Tammy

        1. Eat my goal!
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          for a hit?

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

            yup

            1. Eat my goal!
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Wouldn’t bother then

  4. LIARS POKER
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed

    Think I am going City heavy on wildcard as I've managed to get a good team. Means no TAA but hoping triple City will outweigh that.

    Pope
    Aurier Soyuncu Tomori Lundstram Rico
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Aguero Abraham

    Thoughts?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Looks like my mess. Pretty much Man City and Chelsea attack.

  5. pjanns
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    VVD + Martial —> Tomori + Son (For free)

    I have Lunds, Rico and Soy, so they are not an option, and would like to go cheap in the defense.

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Diop a far far better pick

      1. pjanns
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        true. Will consider him. 🙂 Thanks!

      2. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Really??

  6. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which is better?

    A) Robbo & TAA (4-4-2)

    Or

    B) Son & Guilbert (3-5-2)

    1. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Will Guilbert be starting every week? If so I'd say A

  7. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    VVD or Digne -> Ota? (Already have TAA)

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Im looking to do Digne to Ota. Pretty annoyed I didnt do that in the first place when Laporte got injured.

  8. falafel
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Boly and Firmino for Digne and Haller?

    1. falafel
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Or maybe Soyouncu

    2. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Soy or Diop

  9. juho
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    why is everyone selling Haller?

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

      He didn't score this week

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The usual reasons : 2,2 vs avl,MUN

    3. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Bournemouth away should suit him well. I fancy a return.

    4. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Tactical change upon the loss of Antonio means we have no direct runners anymore. Haller back to his creator role so expect our wingers to hog the points now

      1. The Wise Owl
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Good info. When is Antonio expected back?

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Quite a way away. He’ll get his goals but he’s not being gifted the chances like he was when he could just concentrate on being a penalty box predator

      2. Enzo the Baker
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This is a really insightful comment - thanks for sharing.

        I’m weighing up Haller -> Abraham (currently have 2FTs and everyone in my ML has Abraham).

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          No worries. I think that will be one of my moves too. Playing with getting firmino in for him but means a hit I will see. GL!

          1. Enzo the Baker
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers & GL to you too!

      3. juho
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks for the insight

        His underlying stats seemed alright against Norwich without Antonio

        Was it due Norwich's poor defence?

    5. Swanremainsthesame
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Blanking, failing the eye test, several alternatives,

  10. Aubamazette
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Last week 70 points with captain fail, this week 60 points with captain fail. If I can just get a captain pick right I would be sailing:’(

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

    A. Vardy and cresswell
    Vs
    B. Barnes and TAA

    Which one to choose? Thanks

  12. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    save FT barring any injury?

    Pope Button
    TAA Digne Matip Lund Aurier
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Dendocker
    Haller Pukki Greenwood

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Shift Digne.

  13. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Will Tomori keep his place?

    1. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Played decently, injuries are helping.

    3. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He might keep his place but Chelsea won’t keep a CS

  14. GE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    WC-team 1) or 2)?

    1) (0.7 itb)
    Pope
    Otamendi/Aurier/Soy
    Sterling/KDB/Son/Mount
    Auba/Tammy/Pukki

    Bench: Button, Cantwell, Lundstram, Rico

    2) (0.0 itb)
    Pope
    Otamendi/Soy/Tomori
    Salah/Sterling/KDB/Son/Mount
    Tammy/Pukki

    Bench: Button, Lundstram, Rico, Wickham

    1. OLLY G
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2

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

      Comes down to a choice between aubameyang and salah, I cant decide

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        It is :p

  15. Weak Become Heros
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling or KDB?

    I’d like to keep Raheem, he has had his rest now I think.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Rested in GW2-5 points wise.

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        No excuses now for him then!

    2. clempro
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Just did Sterling to KDB, who just seems essential... also have Aguero, doesn't seem reasonable to have all 3

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      KDB is playing unbelievable stuff. Keep this up and it'll be the best season from a midfielder in PL. So KDB.

  16. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Wickham, Cebellos, Digne > Tammy, Hayden, Soyuncu (-4)?

    Pope Button
    TAA Digne Walker Montoya Lundstram
    Sterling KDB Son Mount Cebellos
    Firmino Pukki Wickham

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Play two of:

    1. Lundstram (LIV)
    2. Digne (MCI)
    3. Greenwood (ARS)
    4. Dendoncker (WAT)
    5. Rico (WHU)

    Thanks

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      25

      1. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        35*

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Nice bench points on the way. Going off the opponent, 3 & 4.

  18. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    VVD - Zhinchenko - Mina - Robbo - Lundstram

    How would you fix this defence without touching the front 6? I’m playing 4-4-2 (2FTs & 0itb)

    Was thinking TAA & Aurier in for VVD & Zhinchenko?

  19. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Do l keep Martial lol?

    1. MTPockets
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I held Morata through injuries couple of season ago waiting for the payback. It never came

    2. clempro
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Just did Zinch, Sterling to Ota, KDB for 2FTs.... seems very sideways, hope it won't backfire

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

        Sterling(c) this week for me

        1. clempro
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Also I have Aguero, having all 3 seems a bit much

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

            I have all three, top 3 scorers at the end of the season I reckon - if they all stay fit

        2. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Brave considering Spurs and Pool fix. But suppose City attacker is a good option most weeks.

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

            I've got one of those feelings

    3. Baked baines
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Are many selling the Digne’s & the Sterling’s of this world and bringing in the Auriers & Sons of the world??

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not selling Raz but might do a sideways Rose to Aurier.

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        1st and 3rd most GW transfers out
        The ins are lower down.

    4. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Cleverly doing it for anyone? Looks nice to rotate with cantwell

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Id pick him instead of Cantwell if I was bringing in a ~5m mid

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Stats are astonishing. Will keep an eye on Quique comments about tactics to see if he still has his place nice and safe

    5. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Is Danny Ceballos all that? Even though he is cheap and has good fixtures.

    6. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Am I stupid for not having KDB?

      Current attack:
      Salah - Son - Mount - McGinn - Sterling
      Pukki - Abraham

      And think all are big scorers. Should I tamper or am I safe?

      1. T.Henry14
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        you are no stupid buddy, but you made a mistake.
        KDB is essential.

      2. clempro
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Just got him in for Sterling, he seems essential. But also have Aguero

    7. FDMS All Starz
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Will Rico keep his spot?

    8. TAT
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Time to WC this lot? Heaton, Digne, Dendoncker and Zinchenko are players I want to move on. £1.0 itb, 1 FT.

      Heaton
      TAA - Zinchenko - Digne - Rico
      Mount - De Bruyne - Salah - Sterling
      Callum Wilson - Pukki
      (Button - Lundstram - Dendoncker - Greenwood)

    9. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      wow Firmino joint fifth highest scoring player so far, could be a different beast this season

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Got him on my GW3 WC, definitely looks better from
        An FPL perspective than last year. There will inevitably be weeks where Mane and Salah burn me.

    10. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      What's more important?
      A. TAA
      B. Sterling or Aguero
      C. Son

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        B probably, then A

      2. aborg
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        TAA most imp for defence, Son most explosive, Sterling gets very good and bad streaks and Aguero the most consistent.

    11. aborg
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How much is Aurier and Otamendi nailed by percentage? Would get Aurier for 0.6m cheaper if I think he will mostly play.

    12. Ady87
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      827k OR last week, 131k this week. Funny how quickly it can change. Suddenly I’m enthused again, feel like a bit of a glory hunter.