Scout Notes

Rashford hits 100 points and makes strong case for Christmas investment

Manchester City 1-2 Manchester United

Goals: Nicolas Otamendi (£5.0m) | Marcus Rashford (£8.9m), Anthony Martial (£7.6m)

Assists: Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) | Daniel James (£6.1m)

Bonus Points: Rashford x3 Martial x2 Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) x1

Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) became the third player to hit the hundred-point mark in Fantasy Premier League this season as he helped steer Manchester United to a deserved derby day victory.

The forward joined Jamie Vardy (£10.0m) and Sadio Mane (£12.3m) at the top of the FPL tree courtesy of the opening goal and the maximum bonus point award from the visitors’ impressive 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Rashford earned and converted a penalty awarded, belatedly, by VAR following a foul by Bernardo Silva (£7.9m).

Rashford celebrates putting Manchester United ahead at the Etihad Stadium

That made it five goals and two assists from his last five starts for the England international, a run that has added half a million managers to his cause, prompted a £0.3m rise in value and put him at the top of the list for Gameweek 17 transfers-in.

Rashford brought in nine points for his 20.5% ownership against Manchester City and, on another day, could have treated them to a hat-trick.

He hit the bar with one long-range effort and missed a big chance when put through by one of United’s many dazzlingly speedy counter-attacks.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side broke fast and often on City throughout a pulsating derby, with the pace of Rashford, Anthony Martial (£7.6m), Daniel James (£6.1m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.3m) proving far too much for the hosts’ fragile backline.

Martial’s surprise start handed Solskjaer plenty of speed on the counter

Indeed, the personnel at Solskjaer’s disposal make United most effective on the counter, which is a major reason why they’ve taken points from the ‘big’ teams – Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Liverpool – while struggling to break down opponents who sit deeper and allow them more measured possession.

That should be borne in mind by Fantasy managers eager to tap into a United side unbeaten in five matches (and with 12 goals to their name over that period) ahead of an excellent six-fixture schedule through to Gameweek 22.

The Red Devils will host Everton, Newcastle and Norwich and travel to Watford, Burnley and Arsenal. All six look winnable, but it is the supposedly toughest test of that run – a Gameweek 21 trip to the Emirates – that will probably offer them the best chance to showcase their counter-punching skills.

Those attributes were there in abundance against City, who dominated possession (71%) and attempts (22-11), but had only five shots on target to United’s seven.

Manchester City’s defence struggled to cope with Manchester United’s counter-attacks

The visitors doubled their lead from another sweeping raid forward when Martial, set up by James, caught out Ederson (£6.0m) with a near-post shot.

The Brazilian keeper wasn’t the only one surprised by Martial – nearly 200,000 managers had sold him on the back of two straight blanks and an injury that had left Solskjaer suggesting the Frenchman was only likely to make an appearance from the bench, only for him to play 71 minutes and produce a second double-digit haul from his last four starts.

The 2-0 scoreline certainly didn’t flatter United – Ederson was by far the busier keeper – but they rode their luck to keep it that way until half-time.

City had two penalty appeals for handball waved away by both referee Anthony Taylor and his VAR back-up, while Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) should probably have scored with a flying header from a pin-point Kevin de Bruyne (£10.3m) cross.

Jesus led the Manchester City attack in the absence of Sergio Aguero

The match was considerably more nervy, and tetchy, after the break, with the mood not lightened by some unpleasant incidents in the crowd that included what has now officially been reported as racist abuse of midfielder Fred (£5.3m).

Back on the pitch, City huffed and puffed and finally forced David de Gea (£5.5m) into a save or two before substitute Nicolas Otamendi (£5.0m), on for the injured John Stones (£5.3m), headed home a Riyad Mahrez (£8.3m) corner with five minutes remaining.

The Algerian then fired in a low shot that de Gea did superbly well to push away, but an equaliser would have been harsh on a United defence, which included the returning Luke Shaw (£5.4m) at left-back, that blocked and tackled heroically throughout.

The pick of the bunch was Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m), who earned a bonus point and the praise of his manager for his efforts.

“Aaron, he’s playing against Sterling out there, Mahrez out there, De Bruyne out there and they just couldn’t get past him.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Wan-Bissaka had an excellent game up against Sterling

Raheem Sterling (£11.8m) was certainly kept relatively quiet throughout.

His form is at the major end of worrying now. He has blanked in all but one of his last six starts, losing 800,000 owners and £0.2m in value along the way. He’s also started every match since Gameweek 7, marking him out as a big rotation risk heading into the Christmas fixture pile-up.

The winger is currently third for Gameweek 17 transfers-out. More surprisingly, de Bruyne is top.

The Belgian has been City’s driving force in recent weeks, but he doesn’t have the Fantasy points to show for it, with two goals and no assists from his last six starts. Much of that is down to the profligacy of team-mates who he has provided with excellent chances to score, opportunities they have all spurned.

De Bruyne was unfortunate not to get any attacking returns against Manchester United

Sales were minor heading into the weekend, but have now picked up as an increasingly fragile City prepare to visit Arsenal and then host Leicester City over the next two Gameweeks.

That second game, in particular, looks fraught with danger for a side struggling to nullify opponents’ counter-attacks, as Pep Guardiola highlighted in his post-match comments.

“We conceded a few chances on the counter. We lost balls, but in general we did what we like to do. We arrive in the final third many times. I like my team. We have to try and improve the amount of counter-attacks we conceded, or the way we play, press, push. Teams defend deep and make a counter-attack.” – Pep Guardiola

Defensively, the side’s reliance on Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) to provide some measure of stability is neither here nor there as the centre-half has been injured for so long now.

But the issue, as yet undiagnosed, suffered by Stones on Saturday is another blow to a backline that might have to rely on Fernandinho (£5.2m) and Otamendi to see off the pace of Vardy – a scary prospect for City fans and those Fantasy managers still clinging onto the hope of returns from their defensive assets.

Writing off their players, from a Fantasy perspective at least, is still premature, especially when they’ll face the defensive basket case that is Arsenal next.

But for the first time in a long time, it is United’s stars who are more likely to catch our eye this Christmas, with Rashford in particular offering form, fixtures and great value.

Members Analysis

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1,189 Comments Post a Comment
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    What is your Overall Rank and Team Value atm?

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

      I prefer not to speak x2.

      1. Shah G
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Lol, that was my 1st thought..

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Still pants

      c. 130k OR
      105.4

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR: 143k
      TV: 105.4

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Looks like we are having similar seasons so far mate!

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yup

    4. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR 1k
      TV 106.2

      1. villa_til_i_die
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Fair play!

    5. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      52k and 104.1... Though Mane cappers will do the damage today..

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

        Well, they will do harm to many of us.

    6. ResultatFar
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR. 60k
      TV. 104.3

    7. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR 23k - will drop after Vardy VC's come in!
      TV - 106.9

    8. Arse Craic
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR: 59K
      TV: 106.9

    9. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Significantly worse than any of the above.

      1. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        LOL

    10. joelsprylar
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Went 100k down this GW so 170k and 106,3 tw.

    11. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR 661k
      TV 106

      1. mojoindojo
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        And that's after 7 consecutive greens...

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yay

          From where?

          1. mojoindojo
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            2.6 m

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

      230 k (double captain fail in last 2 weeks for minus 30 points!)

      106.3

    13. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      117k
      101.4

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        *177k

    14. villa_til_i_die
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      33k
      102.4

    15. Forza Napoli
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      OR: ~13,500
      Value: 104.3

      Somehow gained 0.9 in value in the last gameweek 😐

    16. fgdu
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      402k and 104.0
      lots of hits

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

      118k
      105.1

    18. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      8k, 105.6m

  1. Cesc Pistols
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    For -4:

    KDB, Jimenez and Kane ➡ Alli/Son, Rashford and Tammy.

    Yay or nay?

    1. The Gambler.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would have been good moves on Friday

      1. Cesc Pistols
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I kept Kane (C) for the weekend and was quite happy with it!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t see Jim to Tammy.

      On paper the fixtures look grim but mostly on last season’s form only

      1. Cesc Pistols
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I have Pulisic, but not having Tammy when they host Bournemouth this weekend will be scary.

    3. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      As a package deal, YAY.. But watching City will be uncomfortable to say the least..

      1. Cesc Pistols
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Had a look on a few top teams and most of them don't have a City cover at the moment. Do you still have one? Keeping?

        1. Shah G
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          KDB.. Son/Alli for him is under consideration.. I meant can you enjoy watching City play without any of them in fpl?.. FPL shouldn't but does effect your enjoyment of watching football and not just in good way..

          1. Shah G
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Come to think of it I'll put it in as a question for scourcast..

          2. Cesc Pistols
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Totally agree -- though I don't watch many City games, tbh, haha!

            Guess I'll pull the trigger and keep an eye open in case they pick up form again.

    4. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimenez to Tammy not worth -4 imo rest looks good.

      1. Cesc Pistols
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks, but I want Tammy for this Bournemouth game.

        KDB + Jimenez ➡ Maddison + Tammy for free, then?

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Rashford over Tammy
          Too late to get Maddison imo.

          1. Cesc Pistols
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Ideally I'd get both in, but can only do that with a hit...

            As for Maddi, I agree it's late, but with those fixtures, it'd be painful to go without a Leicester mid!

  2. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Kane & Grealish

    or

    Rashford & Richarlison+ 0,3

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Bottom while they are both on form.

    3. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I dont like Eve fixtures.. Rashford + Grealish + decent upgrade..

      1. joelsprylar
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Richarlison just scored against Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester.
        Think he can score against United and Arsenal also.

        1. Shah G
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          May be you are right, I just have no confidence in eve and he is not as clinical as Ings..

  3. Totti
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    need your replies guys

    pope ryan
    TAA soyuncu kelly lundstram tomori
    mane KDB alli son cantwell
    vardy jimenez mousset

    1 FT 0.7 itb

    A) jimenez -> abraham
    B) kdb and jimenez -> pulisic and rashford (-4 )
    C) KDB and jiminez -> D.silva and rashford (-4)
    D) save FT

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Can you do B with Mousset?..

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        won't be pulisic
        max midfierlder 7m

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          who do u suggest?

          1. Shah G
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Grealish may be If you can get Tammy for Jimi next week.. Otherwise I'll do B..

    3. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Play 4 4 2 and save ft

  4. joelsprylar
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    50 points with no players left. Do you think i will miss the cup?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      no

    2. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      no

  5. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    2 FT:
    A) Auba and Zaha to Rash and Alli
    B) Auba and KDB to Rash and Son/Alli
    C) Auba and Cantwell to Mousset and Son

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A or C with Ings..

    3. plt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

  6. plt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hey all. Torn about Kane. Thinking about Jimi to Kane and David Silva to Shelvey - leaves 0.1 itb, but 4 point hit. I have Rash, Vardy, Mane, Richarlison, Alli & Maddison

    1. Shah G
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Lol my 1st thought was that you are torn about to ditch or keep... NOOO to buy.. Jimi to Tammy Dilva to Son..

      1. plt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks. Can't afford that switch, though - Son is 2.4m more than Dilva now!

        1. Shah G
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I'll save then..

  7. Darragh82
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi guys, thinking of son & Jiménez to Alli & Rashford.... 2ft, 0.6itb
    Rest of my team is settled. Good move of no?? Thanks