Dugout Discussion

Pogba on the bench as United and Watford name unchanged starting XIs

The first of two Premier League matches to take place on Sunday kicks off at 14:00 GMT, with Manchester United the visitors to Watford.

Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Nigel Pearson have named unchanged starting XIs from the sides that lined up in Gameweek 17.

There is a surprise returnee among the substitutes, however, as Paul Pogba (£8.4m) makes the United matchday squad for the first time since the end of September.

Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) is also on the bench for the visitors, as Anthony Martial (£7.7m) once again leads the line in front of an attacking midfield trio of Marcus Rashford (£9.1m), Daniel James (£6.2m) and Jesse Lingard (£6.3m).

Rashford was the most-bought Fantasy Premier League forward of Gameweek 18, with just under 290,000 managers drafting the United striker into their teams.

The England international was also the second-most-popular captaincy option this weekend, having been handed the armband by over 800,000 FPL bosses.

Rashford has only blanked twice since a ‘two-pointer’ in Gameweek 8.

Both he and Martial were on target when these two sides last met in March.

Adam Masina (£4.3m) and Roberto Pereyra (£5.6m) are both fit to return for the Hornets but only make the bench.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m) gets his fourth straight start up front following his recent return from a long-term injury.

Interested is limited in Pearson’s troops from a Fantasy perspective: not one of Watford’s players is owned by more than 2% of FPL bosses.

The Hornets have only scored in one of their last five home fixtures, with that solitary strike coming from the penalty spot against Chelsea.

United are without a clean sheet in 12 Premier League matches, however.

Watford XI: Foster, Mariappa, Kabasele, Cathcart, Femenía, Hughes, Capoue, Sarr, Doucouré, Deulofeu, Deeney.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, James, Lingard, Rashford, Martial.


1,381 Comments Post a Comment
  1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Quick! Let’s switch Rashford (3 blanks in his last 10, 9.1m) to Kane (6 blanks in his last 10, 10.9m). What could possibly go wrong?

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Look at Kanes fixtures bro

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Already maxed out on Spurs

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

      You must have forgotten to see the Burnley match

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

      Your fpl link is broken

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! Fixed it

    4. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Spurs face (BHA nor sot wat NOR) in 5 of their next 6 fixtures. Perfect time for Kane to get back in contention for golden boot. Will be a great differential as many will be put off due to his price.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Kane has 5 goals in 6 in all competitions under Mourinho He's only going to improve given the world class forward he is.

        Fpl is all about getting ahead of the curve

  2. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rash and Martial biggest traps lol

    1. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Their delts are bigger

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      United players are a trap. United fan here.

      1. The Fed
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Martial should have had 3 assists today, his teammates blew 3 100% chances. He also had several shots on goals and he is a forward classified as a midfielder.

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Martial yes, but not Rashford. He's been an excellent prospect for a while.

      Rash or diddly squat from OT I think

    4. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Rash disappointed me, have him just 2 weeks and 2 blanks from him 🙁

  3. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Since the start of last season, no player has made more errors leading to goals in the Premier League than David de Gea (6). Gifts.

    What happened to DDG ?

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

      Back to reality

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Oops there goes gravity.

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Head not in right place. Needs to be dropped for a while now.

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This. Romero has done really well in the games he started

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

      Must be depressed after Courtois joined Madrid instead of him

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

      When the opposition have a hundred shots a game you get more
      Opportunities to make errors

    5. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Am I vaguely correct in thinking that he was top dog until WC 2018 and he's been very inconsistent since?

      1. HurriKane
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yh had a torrid world cup as well

        His confidence has gone since then

    6. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He is average GK. Phil Jones made him looks better than he is

    7. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Playing with a bunch of duds around him has taken its toll

    8. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Well smalling has gone to Roma

  4. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Went Aurier (first time in team), but wondering if Vert would have been better for .1 more? Recent hauls from left back are somewhat reminiscent of his first season under AVB marauding forwarding (Old Trafford 12-13 for example) like Vermaelen. Curtailed as a CB under Poch

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I don't have the stats but I doubt he's marauding forward, he's preferred at LB because he can tuck in and become a back 3 with Aurier given free reign to attack because he's a defensive calamity.

      1. Alexis Nonsense
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        This is what I've seen in Mourinho games, It's basically a back 3 with Vert when attacking

  5. DMP
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    C mon Sonny my Son(c). Only you and Alli left to save this Misery.

  6. JK 171
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sold Rashford this week for Kane (c)!! I was confident Rashford would blank but never confident Kane would deliver so here goes!! G/l Harry may your fantasy points be plentiful.

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

      WP.

      1. JK 171
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers but like I say was never confident with Kane (c) hope he proves me wrong.

  7. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Only Kane haul and Son blank can save this GW. Lets go.

  8. Lebowski85
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I've got 2FT and 0.7 ITB. How to solidify this squad.

    Schmeichal
    TAA Robertson Pereria Lundstram Aurier
    Mane KdB Ali Zaha Grealish
    Vardy Ings Mousset

    I'd love to get Salah in but would need to sacrifice KdB or Ali...which seems silly.

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

    I hope the players I own do well

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I hope the players you own do well too. I also hope we own the same players.

  10. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Spurs will inflict a heavy deafeat on Chelsea. Chelsea fan here.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Both are average teams could go anyway

  11. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Harry Maguire

    lol

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

    Couple of Tammy goals & a few G&A from Son Alli combo 😉

  13. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    3 at the back for Chelsea.

    Think that helps Alli as the 3 CBs cover Son, Kane and Moura.

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

      that leaves kante to deal with alli 😉

  14. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    36 pts and Alli (C), Son, Abraham and Aurier waiting ! So hype about this game, finally getting inside the top 1m I hope.

  15. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I've said it before and I will say it again, the picture editor who chooses the article pics is the real star of this site.

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

      Agreed.

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sadist

  16. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rashford and Abraham out,
    Kane and Maupay in.

    Worth doing?

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Stay with Abraham

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      don't like it

  17. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Just woke up and a great result to see 🙂 few in my ML capt Rashford and I avoided man u. Also means we're minimum 6th for Christmas! Buzzing

  18. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Aurrier n Tammy are my differentials over my ML rival and I need 8+ plus points from these two players to move to the top

    Do I have a chance?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes.

  19. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hopefully the commentators got the memo about not using the phrase " Christmas Cracker "

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Racist.....??

  20. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tomori and Mount going to haul this one !

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just about to post exactly the same. Can feel they're about to troll us big time!

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Oh dear.

      1. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        As i said. Slouch proved again that he is fraud.

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Niho proving yet again that he is an expert in talking nonsense. Since when has the 3 points Mount got been regarded as a haul or is that a haul by your standards ?

  21. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Will Aurier haul? Outscore Alli?

  22. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need a monster haul from Son (C) and Aurier to save my gameweek.

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

      relax....Aurier 3 baps already locked in

    2. DF
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      me too brother.

  23. joeyc_33
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts on

    Zaha (5th mid) and Maddison > Alli and 5m mid

    Was going to do Jiminez to Rashford this week but just not feeling that now.

  24. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    oh, Rashford>Pukki is abundantly clear. Pukki has Villa next..

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      That could be a goalfest.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Pukki could get a hatti in that alone

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

          As a man who held on to Pukki for the Watford game earlier in the season.....don’t be so sure!

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            idk, Villa are atrocious. How can he not score lol, altho you probably said the same 😀

            Ah he cant do any worse than Rashford will, and his price point makes things happen for me.

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

    With all the anticipation - you just know this game will end 1-1 with Kante & Dier goals

  26. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Playing a ghost team this week

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have an Australian with a dead team this week in the cup, its a miracle im going to progress

  27. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    As a Utd fan that sucked, as an FPL manager it couldn’t have gone better

    Always pros and cons

  28. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry for the off topic question but help me out.

    Would you buy a christmas card for a 1 year old?

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

      No

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

      No...surely just send a card to the child’s parents as a card to all the family?

    3. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Just chop down the amazon for those that can’t read

  29. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who scores more today?
    a> Kane (c)
    b> Son and Alli

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

      It had better be B

    2. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      B as both more likely to score than Kane.

  30. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone worse than 22,captain played