Scout Notes

Pogba’s impact on Fernandes’ FPL credentials as Martial bags hat-trick

Manchester United 3-0 Sheffield United

  • Goals: Anthony Martial x3 (£8.0m)
  • Assists: Marcus Rashford x2 (£8.9m), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m)
  • Bonus Points: Martial x3, Wan-Bissaka x2, Rashford x1

Anthony Martial (£8.0m) blasted all other Manchester United attacking assets out of the water as he scored a hat-trick in Wednesday evening’s 3-0 win over Sheffield United.

There had been a wealth of interest in the Red Devils for Gameweek 31+ as the Blades were set to visit Old Trafford without Dean Henderson (£5.3m), John Egan (£4.6m) and Jack O’Connell (£4.6m) and it turned out that Fantasy managers were right to expect a one-sided affair.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men made light work of the visiting side, carving through the second-string defence with relative ease.

However, where the majority of managers were let down was the captaincy, with nearly 20% of voters in our latest poll handing the armband to Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m). 

While the Portuguese international was recording a first blank since his Gameweek 25 debut, he was a little overshadowed as a creative force in the midfield by Paul Pogba (£8.3m), who, himself was making a first league start since Gameweek 7.

The Frenchman was officially deployed in the deeper central midfield pairing with Nemanja Matic (£4.8m) but in a fluid set-up, Pogba pushed forward to sometimes step on Fernandes’ toes.

The latter was still a creative presence in the team but on this occasion, had to share those duties with the man next to him – arguably a factor in his unexpected blank.

That said, Fernandes was perhaps a little unfortunate not to come away with something, as he watched an excellent first-half free-kick from the left batted over by visiting goalkeeper Simon Moore (£4.3m).

Shortly afterwards, Harry Maguire (£5.3m) nodded in one of the midfielder’s corners, only to see it ruled out for a push on Phil Jagielka (£4.1m).

It is no surprise that the options in more advanced positions were the ones to fully capitalise on Sheffield United’s vulnerable defence, namely hat-trick hero Martial and left-forward Marcus Rashford (£8.9m).

While Pogba’s presence limited Fernandes’ monopoly on creativity, there is no doubting that the Manchester United attack is much more powerful with them playing together.

With such excellent service, the man spearheading the front-four was perhaps always destined to mop up the goals.

With favourable fixtures still on the horizon for Manchester United, there is almost certainly going to be interest in Martial, whose game-time was managed in the 79th minute. Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa are the Red Devils next three opponents

Despite the two assists, Rashford owners might have hoped for slightly more from the forward. He had a rather mixed evening, linking up nicely with Martial but squandering a few chances to get on the score-sheet himself, much as he did against Spurs.

The most gilt-edged of those happened in the 12th minute when Martial squared to him from close-range, the England international uncharacteristically spooning the easy opportunity wide. Seven minutes later, Rashford spurned another opportunity, Pogba playing him through with a lovely chipped ball – but the forward could only swing an air-kick at it.

His owners are unlikely to have too many concerns going into Gameweek 32+ though, especially as it’s Brighton up next. Rashford, like Martial, Fernandes and Pogba, was hauled off as part of a quintuple substitution in the 79th minute once the game had been closed out.

That change helped Manchester United see out a clean sheet, their fourth in as many home matches. Those looking to invest at that end of the pitch for the Red Devils could do worse than Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) who assisted one of Martial’s goals. The former Crystal Palace man offered very little going forward when he first joined Solskjaer’s outfit but he is becoming increasingly useful from his right-back position. Between Gameweeks 1 and 25, Wan-Bissaka had assisted only once, but he has now set up two league goals since Gameweek 26.

Sheffield United’s attack continues to offer very little, registering a third successive blank since the Premier League restart at Old Trafford.

Chris Wilder made some changes to the team for this encounter, handing rare starts to Lys Mousset (£4.5m) and David McGoldrick (£5.4m), but neither was able to get into the game. The former was replaced by Oli McBurnie (£5.7m) at half-time, who had more of a sniff in the second half but could not trouble David De Gea (£5.3m) to any great extent.

As Wilder strives to find a solution to the problems going forward, Fantasy managers will increasingly target the Blades for clean sheet fodder in the remaining Gameweeks. 

We recently documented the improvements made to Spurs’ defence, so owners of Serge Aurier (£4.9m) may be particularly encouraged to see a trip to Sheffield United next on his schedule.

Meanwhile, Burnley and Wolves have been offering defensive options for the remainder of 2019/20, namely Nick Pope (£4.9m), Matt Doherty (£6.4m) and Romain Saïss (£4.6m), who face Sheffield United in Gameweeks 33+ and 34+ respectively.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba (McTominay 80’); Rashford (D James 80’), B Fernandes (A Pereira 80’), Greenwood (Mata 80’); Martial (Ighalo 80’).

Sheffield United XI: Moore; Robinson, Jagielka, Basham; Stevens, Fleck, Norwood (Berge 46’), Lundstram, Baldock; McGoldrick (Zivkovic 64’), Mousset (McBurnie 46’).

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FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 31+

1,730 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What to do here? All options (WC, BB, TC, FH) on the table.

    Tempted to play the chips 35-38, with WC in 35 and FH in 38, but other suggestions welcome.

    Martinez / Button
    TAA / Alonso / Boly / Targett / Simpson
    Grealish / Salah / KDB / Fernandes / Cantwell
    Aubameyang/ Jimenez / Greenwood

    Grealish not looking so good. 1 FT, 1.1 ITB.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Which ever way you best start using your chips one week at a time, with 7 game weeks to go.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TC

      WC
      BB

      FH

      Sooner rather than later!

  2. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worth switching Richarlison to Martial with FT? Also have DCL and feels like too much Everton

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Same dilemma but I think I am leaning towards saving ft and getting mahrez/city mid next gw

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I would want Mahrez as well but might take a hit in GW33 and upgrade Barnes to Mahrez

      2. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That't my plan too. Though I don't pick United players so that is a big reason!

  3. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please pick one of the following -

    A. Maguire
    B. Wan Bissaka
    C. Aurier

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C

    3. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Great name. A

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Haha. Yes

    4. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I feel that Aurier is an accident waiting to happen whether it’s injury, RC, own goal etc

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly. United def better than spurs too. Maguire has a goal in him as well.

      2. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hes had 3 yellows( 2 of them in one game resulting in a red). His last yellow was GW21.

    5. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'd be most comfortable with Maguire. Aurier 2nd. Not tok pushed on AWB though.

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          If he didn’t get that assist yesterday, far less people would have been interested in getting him..

      • Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I'd prefer the utd guys to Aurier, though Serge can generate the hauls too in fairness

        When choosing from the utd defs - Backward looking - AWB generates more baps (14 vs 5), more attacking returns (3 vs 1) and more points (98 vs 97) from less games (28 vs 31) than Maguire...

        So when they both play he almost always scores more than Maguire

        That being said - Maguire probably less liekly to be rested/rotated AND looks like his big slabular noggin is constanly being sought out by Bruno at corners & IFKs so he could possibly be about to see an imminent uptick in attacking returns himself

        I went AWB though

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks for the detailed analysis pal. Much appreciated 🙂

      • ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        A

    6. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 9 months ago

        If Pepe starts today would you say its then more or less likely he'll start vs Norwich? Not gonna start 3 games in 7 days or whatever it is.

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          The reality is that it is very difficult to say regardless of whether he starts today or not.

          1. Pinturicchio10
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I know. Just asking to see what folks think. "No idea" is a perfectly legitimate answer 🙂

              1. Vazza
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Can you reply to my post also pls buddy

          2. SackWenger
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I’d say irrespective of tonight he’ll start at home to Norwich

            1. Pinturicchio10
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Cheers. So prioritize league position over cup run then yeah, benched vs SHU?

                That's what I was thinking myself. I like him for one week only vs Norwich.

                1. AC/DC AFC
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  For the remaining 8 teams reaching the final of the FA Cup will be a high priority.

          3. claretdownunder
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Hi - I thought I saw a notice on here that Son got two bonus points. So if he got an assist and clean sheet bonus and over 60 mins score how come he only has 6 points

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Because he didn't get 2 bonus points

            2. Better off with a pin and a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              He was on for 2 bonus points at one stage, but missed out once everything was added in.

          4. Netters2018
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Any changes here or bank the 1 FT for GW33? Plan to FH in GW36.

            Pope
            TAA, Doherty, Kiko
            KDB, Salah, Son, Bruno
            Jimi, DCL, Rashford

            Bench : Holgate, Lascelles, Gendouzi

            Thanks

            1. Sotamendi84
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              i would play lascelles over kiko

          5. Sz21
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Which of these pairs would you punt on for just next GW before a WC?

            1. Martial + Aurier
            2. Martial + Jimenez/ Ings. (Currently own Jota).
            3. Sarr + Rashford.
            4. Martial + PVA.

            1. Sotamendi84
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              2

            2. Whazza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Don't get Ings I'm looking to get rid. If starts today likely bench Sunday then it's City

              1. Sz21
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Ah- didn't realise it was City next. Cheers. That's him gone.
                Martial + Jimenez maybe then.

                1. Whazza
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  Yeah Jimenez is really a no-brainer unless you look for a more differential pick

          6. Sotamendi84
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            so i had in 3 consecutive weeks barnes19, mahrez21 and martial21.
            next?

            1. Hazz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Please let me know

              1. fish&chips
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                It's Auba

            2. Free Hat
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Preferably one of my 11!

          7. Whazza
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Morning!

            How to get Martial in smoothly? 2 FT and 0.2 bank

            Hendo Pope
            TAA Gomez Doherty Egan Stephens
            Mane Bruno Grealish Sarr Barnes
            Auba Ings Jimmy

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Doherty to Saiss and Barnes or Grealish to Martial?

              1. Whazza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                That's OK but Doherty stays

            2. Vazza
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Auba to Rashford
              Barnes to Martial

              1. The FPL Units
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                This

              2. Whazza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Looks good but Auba is my intended captain playing Norwich?

                1. Whazza
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  That's also triple UTD attack.. Would perhaps like a defender in there

                  1. Vazza
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    Just out of interested, have you bench boosted yet? It’s just how your funds have been spread out..

                2. Vazza
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  It could work but United have a great fixture too. Why not just accelerate the transfer now so you can focus on other FPL related issues later.

                  1. Whazza
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 9 months ago

                    They do. Will have to see how auba does today. Really hard (if not dumb) getting rid of a nailed on big hitter at home to Norwich

            3. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Auba is the cash cow in your team imo, downgrading him to fund the moves looks your best bet

              1. Whazza
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Fair enough!

              2. Von Lipwig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                this

            4. Von Lipwig
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Just a thought, but Grealis/Sarr/Barnes to Foden? Is that enough?

              1. Vazza
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                I suspect not mate.

            5. Dosh
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I'm thinking Bruno --> Martial

          8. Gunners in Haaland
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Patricio
            TAA AWB Doherty
            Mane Bruno Son KDB
            DCL Jimenez Nketiah

            Martin Foden Fernandez Dunk
            0.0ITB

            Save the FT?

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yep save

          9. Abra Dubravka
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Can't see when a better time might be to use my FH (no other chips left). Am I best to save it or use whilst Liverpool play City?

            Pope
            TAA, Doherty, Holgate
            Salah, KDB, Son, Bruno, Saka
            Jimenez, Rashford

            Bench: DCL, Lascelles, 3.9

            1. Pukki Party
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Problem is there aren't many other good teams with plum fixtures. Can see a few goals in Liv-mci

              1. Abra Dubravka
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                Yeah I know. It’s mainly for Aubameyang tbf

          10. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            RMT
            DDG(Button)
            TAA Aurier Doherty (Lascelles)(Simpson)
            Mane Fernandes KDB Bergwijn (Saka)
            Jimenez DCL Rashford

            1ft,0.0 itb

            Not sure what to do with Bergwijn, also a bit tempted to start Saka at home to Norwich but not sure for whom.

          11. olidooley
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Save FT here hopefully?

            Pope
            TAA Doherty Lascelles
            Salah KDB Son Bruno Sarr
            Rashford Jiménez

            Button Kiko Connolly Robinson

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yeah I would

          12. JonSnow
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Having Salah, Mane, TAA and KDB is really going to make or break my next GW, but i don't knowq if i want rid of anyone. Any recommendations? Should i spread the risk and move Mane on

            1. Dele
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Thinking the exact same below

              1. JonSnow
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                It's a tough choice, i think if they tie the league up against City next week then they will play a weaker side against Villa following that. But if they lose to City then Aston Villa they will surely want their best 11 on the pitch to seal it.

                1. Whazza
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 9 months ago

                  The league will be won today if Chelsea doesn't lose

          13. Dele
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            0.2 ITB with 2FT and no idea what to do here... time to lose the Liverpool big hitters to free up funds?

            McCarthy
            TAA, Doherty, AWB
            Salah, Mane, KDB, Fernandes
            Jimenez, Jota, DCL

            Button, Lascelles, Luiz, Williams

          14. Vazza
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Pope or De Gea

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              De Ge

          15. balint84
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            next week captain differential for me?

            A) son
            B) fernandes
            C) richarlison
            D) rashford
            E) henderson against spurs

            1. Hitmonlee
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I’d avoid all that play FA cup games so probably Son out of those

              1. balint84
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                thanks!

            2. Whazza
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              D

          16. Hitmonlee
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thinking triple City for GW33..

            KDB
            Son > Foden
            Ayew > Jesus

            High risk but high reward?

          17. balint84
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            play Mount or Ayew?

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Mount

            2. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Mount

            3. balint84
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              I guess Ayew vs Burnley is now or never

          18. Henryyy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Would you BB this next gw?

            Pope
            TAA Robbo Doherty
            Sarr Salah Bruno Martial KDB
            DCL Jim

            Martinez (NOR) Ayew (BUR) Ward (BUR) Saiss (avl)

            Cheers

            1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yes

            2. THFC4LIFE
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yep

            3. Vazza
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Yes 10%

              1. Vazza
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                100%

            4. Henryyy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Cheers lads

          19. THFC4LIFE
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Gone from 443k to 209k in 2 weeks, hoping to break top 100k by end of the season. How you getting on?

            1. Van der Faart
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Went from 16k to 10k with BB last week. Went from 10k to 18k last night not having Mane cost me large.

            2. grumpyman
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              870k to 270k since GW29. Been a long miserable season but finally making some progress!

          20. Albrightondknight
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            New article posted

          21. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Captain here?

            McCarthy
            TAA Doherty Maguire Aurier
            Salah KDB Bruno Martial
            Jimenez Ings

            Krul DCL Barnes Fernandez

            1. balint84
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              salah is the safest

          22. Vazza
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            De Gea or Pope ?

            1. Vazza
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Can someone please respond to this 🙂

              1. vwfiesta
                • 13 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                De Gea

          23. manu4life99
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Start 1

            A) Lund
            B) Egan
            C) Basham

            1. Vazza
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              A. for his potential attacking returns. I don’t think SHU are going to keep a clean sheet against TOT so the max you’re going to lose is 2 points

          24. The Train Driver
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Keep Son vs SHU or get Salah in?

          25. THEKID_88
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Best Aguero replacement for 1 week only -

            A - Kane
            B - Rashford

            1. Los Blancos
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              A. Kane has a good record against Everton. Also spurs have over a week of rest unlike utd.

          26. Los Blancos
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            It is worth taking out bruno for Martial?

            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Nope

          27. FabzGuitar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Comment got lost a few pages back. Hoping to get an answer before today’s games.

            Kinda had enough of Grealish blanking. Fixtures don’t look good until the end of the season. What’s the best choice until the end of the season?

            1) Keep
            2) >> Mount
            3) >> Sarr
            4) >> Foden (already have KDB)
            5) ASM
            6) Someone else

            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 9 months ago

              Mount maybe