Scout Notes

How Man United’s FA Cup win affected Fernandes and Aubameyang’s FPL appeal

Norwich 1-2 Man United

Goals: Todd Cantwell (£4.6m) | Odion Ighalo (£6.3m), Harry Maguire (£5.3m)

Assists: Emi Buendía (£6.0m) | Anthony Martial (£8.2m)

Red cards: Timm Klose (£4.3m)

Selected Minutes Played:

  • Bruno Fernandes – 120 minutes
  • Odion Ighalo – 120 minutes
  • Harry Maguire – 120 minutes
  • Luke Shaw – 120 minutes
  • Marcus Rashford – 57 minutes
  • Paul Pogba – 42 minutes
  • Anthony Martial – 24 minutes
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 0 minutes

Owners of Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) are bracing themselves for a Gameweek 32+ benching when Manchester United travel to Brighton midweek.

That’s because the Portuguese midfielder played all 120 minutes of Saturday’s bumper FA Cup quarter-final win at Norwich.

Owned by 20.9% of Fantasy managers already, interest in Fernandes has been high but his last two outings have proved cause for concern.

He was one of just three players from the 3-0 win over Sheffield United to keep his place, which, in the current circumstances is far from ideal for Fantasy purposes.

Not only was Fernandes overshadowed by Paul Pogba (£8.3m) in the Gameweek 31+ Old Trafford victory, but he arguably had his worst game to date in a Manchester United shirt at Carrow Road too.

He scuppered a good chance to score early on in the second half, tried too many tricks that failed to come off and failed to find those around him with ambitious through-ball passes.

Crucially, Fernandes played every single minute of this FA Cup encounter which seriously jeopardises the chances of him starting at Brighton on Tuesday. That would have been a problem for his Gameweek 32+ credentials even if he had produced an impressive display at Norwich.

By comparison, most of Manchester United’s key Fantasy attackers were handed initial rests before Norwich got back into the tie.

Marcus Rashford (£9.1m), Anthony Martial (£8.3m) and Pogba were all among the eight changes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made from the side that beat Norwich, although all three were called into action later on.

Rashford and Pogba were treated to 57 and 42 minutes in East Anglia respectively, which was not the worst result for those relying on the pair for Gameweek 32+.

Neither player added much to proceedings on Saturday evening, refusing to exert themselves for the cause, which is probably the perfect outcome for their backers: some minutes back in their potentially rusty post-injury legs without a full 90 or 120-minute outing or another knock.

Meanwhile, things were even better for Martial owners, as he featured only for 24 minutes of the extra-time when Solskjaer was doing everything possible to find a winner.

Not only is that game-time nice and sparing, but the Frenchman also did well to carve out a furrow for himself in a crowded attack and compacted defence, providing the assist for Harry Maguire‘s (£5.3m) late winner.

Like Rashford and Pogba, Martial is almost certain to start at Brighton now, especially considering Odion Ighalo (£6.3m) lead the Manchester United attack for 120 minutes against Norwich.

However, his backers may want to just keep an eye on the Nigerian for the remainder of the campaign. He has started his Red Devils career admirably, often scoring whenever called upon, as he did at Norwich.

Solskjaer added after the game that Ighalo’s form does make him rotatable with Martial. There are, at most, two more FA Cup games this season, as well as seven in the league – so it seems highly unlikely that the former Watford man will go without a Premier League start between now and Gameweek 38+.

“(Ighalo) is very important, that was important for me [that we extended his loan], we worked hard to do it, Odion knows how much we value him in and around the dressing room. He’s a goalscorer, a poacher, he’s strong, we can play the ball into him, he showed for the second and Paul found him. He’s performing well but it also gives me the chance to rotate with Marcus [Rashford], Anthony [Martial] and Mason [Greenwood] so they can get a rest and we’re fresh for every game.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

“It’s great to have the option to rotate. Anthony has done really well, Anthony came on and did brilliant, created chances. But Odion gives me a chance to rest Antho and is a proven goalscorer. And today he has played a part in both goals and is great to have around the dressing room.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

There were mixed implications for those invested in the Manchester United defence for Gameweek 32+.

Maguire and Luke Shaw (£5.4m) both played 120 minutes, potentially putting the latter’s chances of a start at Brighton in jeopardy, especially with Brandon Williams (£4.1m) playing just 57 minutes at Carrow Road. That said, the club captain scoring the winning goal will be of encouragement to Maguire owners, the centre-back perhaps more likely to retain his place on account of his position and role in the team.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m) and David De Gea (£5.3m) managed to avoid any involvement in the FA Cup encounter though, left out of the squad and on the bench respectively.

Furthermore, Wan-Bissaka looks much less likely to be rotated than those around him, considering the poor performance of Diogo Dalot (£4.9m) on Saturday. The right-back looked incredibly rusty, producing poor passes and sub-par crosses, all while Wan-Bissaka himself has been increasing his creative output with each Premier League outing.

Perhaps the Fantasy managers likely to be most excited by Saturday’s FA Cup action are those who captained Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) for Gameweek 32+.

The defeat to Manchester United came at a high cost for Norwich, who lost Timm Klose (£4.3m) to a red card as well as Todd Cantwell (£4.6m) and Lukas Rupp (£4.4m) to injuries.

Klose was sent off for a tug on Ighalo, earning himself a one-match ban, which keeps him out of the trip to Arsenal on Wednesday.

That means Farke will arrive at the Emirates Stadium with one fit recognised centre-back in Ben Godfrey (£4.4m), who played 120 minutes in the FA Cup. Christoph Zimmermann (£4.4m) and Grant Hanley‘s (£4.1m) injuries mean that either Alex Tettey (£4.5m) will likely have to drop back from midfield, the more versatile Ibrahim Amadou (£4.5m) having left the club in January. Hardly an ideal set-up for Norwich, but potentially perfect for the Arsenal attack.

Backers of a Gunners’ clean sheet will also be encouraged to see fitness issues further up the field for Norwich, with Saturday’s goal-scorer Cantwell and Rupp now in a race to be fit in time for Gameweek 32+.

“Todd (Cantwell) was moaning during the second half about some problems with his abductor. I hope it is not too bad. He felt it a bit and after he delivered such a good performance I hope he is available for the next game.” – Daniel Farke

“Lukas (Rupp) had a fantastic performance and we have to wait over the next few days. He had some problems with his hip. He felt it about 10 minutes from half-time. I thought it was his best performance since he came here. I wanted him on the pitch because he was so crucial to how we wanted to press the play, many defensive situations he did well. I don’t think it is too bad and we got him off before he could do any major damage.” – Daniel Farke

Norwich City XI (4-1-4-1): Krul; Lewis (Idah 118′), Klose, Godfrey, Aarons; Tettey; Cantwell (Trybull 90′), McLean, Rupp (O Hernández 62′), Buendía (Duda 90′); Pukki (Drmic 71′).

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): Romero; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly (Martial 96′), Dalot (Williams 63′); Fred (Pogba 78′), McTominay (Matić 78′); Lingard (Rashford 63′), B Fernandes, Mata (Greenwood 63′); Ighalo.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

971 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Teemu Pukki out of all people is my first sub should Lundstram not play.

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Norwich not scoring again.

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

        Hear me out...

        I had him in for GW30, played FH 31, and now was stuck with him for 32, but the Aguero injury made me use another transfer. I'm not taking a -4 to replace a player I'm benching with another player I'm benching, so he will go in 33.

    2. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t see Lundstram playing at all mate. Brock down arm

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

        What's wrong with Lund?

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

          shoulder inj

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Rested for Thursday

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thursday’s haul

  2. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Tierney looking like he is getting back to his form when he was at Celtic

    1. FPL Diet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Good player , shame about the injuries

    2. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      solid left back. not a robertson but ok

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

        might get better than robo.. and im a pool fan

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Young player still

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

    If not TCing (Liv vs Villa) next week, when is the best time?

    1. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Man City v Norwich if you can get early news, and if you can't.

    2. FPL Diet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Man City v Bournemouth (36+) or Norwich (38+)

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        But who will play

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

          Foden maybe

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Ederson

  4. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So the article says Cantwell is an injury concern for Arsenal's game?! Watched the game and thought he left for tactical reasons straight after the RC.. The lad is part of my BB team this week!

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm pretty sure he came off due to a knock

      1. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Interesting, thanks!
        Hope he is fit for Wednesday & then he can take a rest on the bench for some time..

  5. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pick a combo:

    A) Jiminez + Pulisic

    B) Mahrez + DCL

    C) Martial + DCL

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C

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

      I have A snd C

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        So BOY is an upgraded version of 51 !

  6. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pepe is starting to look like the big money signing the last couple of games.

    1. kime67
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      emery should have played him more...

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

        Emery subbed him off way too often

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He didn't look like a professional footballer against Southampton

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Ok mate

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Good Ebening

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      8G’s 8A’s in all comps is a very decent return with limited minutes in a rubbish side

  7. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lundstram to Saiss/Boly and jinx the Wolves clean sheets next week then

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I did it this GW. And jinxed Kiko 😛

  8. Amey
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Arsenal medical staff has better workrate than özil ..

  9. Party time
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I see Lundstram has been subbed off. What happened to thy Lord?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Possible shoulder injury.
        Fell on it badly tangled with a gooner.

      2. james 101
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        His arm fell off

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

        Landed on his shoulder

      4. Party time
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Thanks all

      5. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I see what's going on with the Auba benching. The FPL gods want us captainers to have even higher hopes for a haul vs. Norwich, so that we're even more disappointed when he blanks.

        You're not going to get me, FPL gods. As of today, I'm going to assume that Auba blanks, which is a much healthier way to be - joke's on you.

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          expect nothing and you'll have everything

        2. Planet_Marss
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          captained auba this gw but is it crazy that i already sold him as soon as the gw started?

          1. Greek Freak
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Oh I'm selling him too - can't ignore Salah/Mane for Aston Villa, unless Klopp comes out and says they're going to be rested.

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

              im hoping theyll wanna play for golden boot tbh

          2. circusmonkey
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Yes, even just to wait for other injuries.

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

          In fairness, surely this is the week Auba simply HAS to haul?

          It seems beyond belief that he could complete this fixture list:

          BUR,AVL,BOU,CPL,WOL,SOU,BHA,SHU,NEW,WHM,(NOR)

          With anything less than:

          6,5,2,2,8,5,2,0,8,2,(21)

      6. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No Pool attackers in my team. Should I get Salah/Mane for the Villa game? Or is there going to be heavy rotation in that game?

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

          hopefully not as thyd wanna compete for golden boot

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            The number of goals scored between Salah and Mane is not as big as I thought. Only two goals in it. Salah on pens and Mane with the lower ownership, not much in it between the two of them

        2. BNMC
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Trent is my only Pool player...

        3. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Who knows is the answer, but the upside is extremely high of course, so as I said above I'm selling Auba to get Salah/Mane. (will decide which after City)

        4. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Salah is probably essential for Villa, Brighton, Burnley.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Really?

            Trent is 10 points off him and has an almost identical record of not blanking. Has a decently high ceiling too. He’s a valid captain option for those without - Mo is just a couple of double digit hails ahead

            Get the right combo and no one is essential

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

              Salah will be captained by most, that's why I think he is essential. So most will own Trent and Salah and captain Salah so just owning Trent would be really risky in my opinion.

              Also now that they won the title, Salah will probably focus even more on winning the golden boot.

      7. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Looks like SHU assets are going to become non existent in teams soon...

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

          Hendo still in loads of teams

      8. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What’s this?? FA cup games only on BT??

        Before we know it the World Cup will be on sky and BT only

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

        What would you do? I dont have any idea.

        Have 2FT and 0.0 ITB.

        De Gea (Martin)
        TAA - Doherty - Saiss (Lascelles, Simpson)
        KdB - Mane - Son - Bruno (Guendouzi)
        DCL - Jimi - Rashford

        1. JammySprat
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Burn the transfer

        2. Max City
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          start to think about Mane (for game time) and DCL (for his form)

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            This

      10. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Ozil to Pulisic for free?

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

          Do it

        2. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          easy decision

      11. CloudSky
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        There goes the last hope for a Sheffield win.

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

        Really tempted to do this for a -4.. Thoughts?

        Fernandes > Mahrez
        Son > Pulisic
        DCL > Rashford

        Would leave me with:

        Pope
        TAA / Saiss / Maguire
        Salah / KDB / Mahrez / Martial / Pulisic
        Jiménez / Rashford

        Thanks

        1. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I was planning to give DCL another game.....owning Jimi does no good with such high ownership.

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

            Yeah I suppose I may feel differently if he does well against Leicester. If not l will ship him out

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Just a week ago Son and Bruno are 'kind of' essentials and now?

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

            Pogba has had a big impact on Bruno.. he’s still quality but I don’t feel he’s as likely to rack up the points.
            Son I’m not 100% sold on just yet.. he’s playing as a left wing back sometimes.. doesn’t look his usual electric self

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

              Understood but is it not too hasty esp for hits? Mind replacing quality players with quality players, that's what I am saying.

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

                Possibly.. will have to see how the LONGGG week pans out

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

            Always like this

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

            ‘Twas ever thus

      13. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Henderson good effort from range, just over the bar

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

          Hendo G, Wind A

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

        Son to Martial?

        I already have Rashford and Bruno. On one hand Bruno to Martial is sideways but is 3 United attackers too much?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I think 3 is too much

        2. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I would stick with Son (Martial owner and Son non-owner btw)

      15. I Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Patricio
        TAA, Maguire, Lascelles
        Mane, KDB, Son, Fernandes
        Rashford, Jimenez, DCL

        Martin; Kiko Femenia, Guendouzi, Simpson.

        2 FT 0.0 ITB

        Will wait for all of the games to be played but of these options which appeals the most?

        A) Mane + DCL -> Mahrez + Jesus
        B) DCL + Guendouzi -> Nketiah + Mount

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Not a fan of getting rid of Mane or transferring in Mount

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

          What’s the thought around Mané out ahead of AVL - are you confident of rotation for Mané & starts for Jesus?

          1. I Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah guess I should keep Mane. Didn't like Klopp's comment about lots of changes.

      16. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        'I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing'

        about a player (Luiz) ignoring criticism, jesus

        surely it would be better if he just gets depressed

      17. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        What would you do with this lot? 2FT 2.0 in the bank.

        McCarthy
        Trent Doherty Lascelles
        KDB Bruno Martial Son
        DCL Jimenez Vardy

        Leno Justin D.Luiz Lund.

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Vardy to Rashford

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Get Salah

      18. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Egan goal disallowed

      19. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Another Sheffield goal ruled offside

      20. Oggle22
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Lundstarm injured or just subbed off?

        Cheers

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

          Injured
          Shoulder

          1. Oggle22
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Thanks

      21. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Please can I have some feedback on my FH team? 0.1m ITB:
        DDG, Martin
        TAA, VVD, Doherty, Lascelles, Robinson
        Mane, KDB, Martial, Mount, Guendouzi
        Jesus, Rashford, Maupay

        1. fr3d
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Looks good if KdB and Jesus play

          1. Muller Reus Corner
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah, I am waiting to see who starts in the FA cup and there league game

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

        Sheffield United deserve something from this game,they are all over Arsenal atm.

      23. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        For next GW only:
        Ryan, Maguire, Son, Jiminez
        Or
        DDG, VVD, Mount, Jesus?

      24. Jeremiah
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Next week a popular week to TC?

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

          On Salah TC at the minute - hoping he gets subbed early v city to confirm it