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. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Basham missed an absolute sitter

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

      “Oh Basham my arse”

      My fantasy team name next season

  2. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Add Xhaka to my Lacazette and Guendouzi joke divers list.

    Xhaka has had two abysmal dives inside 20 minutes

    Pathetic, pathetic Farcenal

  3. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hearing reports that Foster is starting

    Allegedly

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hope youre right

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        You'll see me on Twitter with '100% leak success rate' in the bio if I am

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

    Sarr's onwer, if he did not deliver v SOT this wee, are you keeping for CHE away and then NOR at home? If shipping out for whom?

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

      Probably keeping, yes. Top priority is to rejig the premium spots for me - selling Auba, getting one of Salah/Mane for Aston Villa. Sarr can stay until Norwich at least.

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

        Ok, maybe benching him v CHE, play v NOR and then shipping out

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

          Don't forget that hauls can be unpredictable. Sarr's two highest scoring games were vs. United (goal and assist) and Liverpool (brace and assist).

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

            Watford are just a bizarre team full stop, won’t be surprised if they lose today and don’t even score

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

              Yeah good point. Sarr sits in my differential mid spot in the team so rank is barely moving anywhere if he does not do anything ... need more explosive replacement maybe?

    2. fusen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm thinking of swapping for Pulisic. Could be awkward as they'll be facing each other.

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

        Cool thx

    3. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I had high hopes for sarr but Watford not looking threatening at all. Might look at kdb and sarr to martial and Mahrez next week

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

        Yeah that's why I ask if they remain the same v SOT I may make a move.

    4. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Will get rid

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

        Replacement? Mount, Pulisic, Foden, Mahrez?

        1. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Forden for me

        2. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          *Foden

    5. L S P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’ll be looking at Sarr if he blanks. I’ll have 2 FTs and looking at also moving DCL (if he blanks).

      Looking at Mahrez, Foden, maybe Puli...

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

    *this week

  6. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    SHU couldn’t strike a match at the moment

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

    Patricio
    TAA Doherty Alonso Aurier
    Salah Son Pulisic Martial Mane
    Rashford

    Still pondering about getting Mahrez in, will decide after vs LFC

    Would you do to Mahrez

    Martial, Mane or Son?

    Leaning towards Son but depends on his next performance.

  8. Random Name
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Willock is so poor. Why is a championship level player playing for Arsenal

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

      Lacazette is poor and I’m an Arsenal fan. Be lucky to get £20m for him

      1. Random Name
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        20+ goals and assists in his last 6 seasons

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

          3rd choice now at Arsenal.

          1. Random Name
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            ok cool but this has nothing to do with my original post

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

    Any other Auba captains here?? Expecting at least 10 pts v Norwich

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Goal would be fine. Learnt that this season No points in expecting any thing.

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That would be delicious!!!!

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

      Lol, see my post on last page on expectations.

    4. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No one serious has Auba.

    5. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      yup, I'd take just a goal personally.

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

      Expect nothing and appreciate everyting... 🙂

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

        *everything even 😛

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

        I expect nothing and still get minus points?

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

          Easy come, easy go.

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

    absolutely no knowledge of Norwegian names, is Berge really pronounced Burger?

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No, in Norwegian we have an æ sound which is used in words like er/ser and names like berge. The g is pronounced with distinction, something like bærge.

    2. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Non Scandinavian, but I think it's more
      "Bear-Gah" than burger.

      Could be way off tho!

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

      No. The first sound is more like "bad" than "burger". Also there is no "r" at the end.

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

        Try to say "bad" but with an r at the end instead of a d, and then "get" without the t

        Ber - ge

  11. FPL Mentor
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A or B

    Pope
    TAA AWB Doherty
    Salah Bruno Martial Alli
    Vardy Deeney Jimenez

    Button / Lascelles / Robinson / Geundouzi

    A) Alli & Jimi > Mane & Nketiah/Connelly (fodder)
    Gives a strong 3 man Liverpool attack (TAA, Salah,Mane) vs a struggling Villa. Great fixtures, captain candidates. No city cover.

    B) Alli & Deeney > KDB & Nketiah/Connelly (fodder)
    Gives me a nice balance of Liv/City attack, 2 viable captain choices with Salah/KDB rotating nicely with Home fixtures.

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

      Alli to Mahrez?

      1. FPL Mentor
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thats the obvious move as he is same price as Alli.

        But less of a captain option than KDB/ Mane and pep more prone to pep roulette.

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

    Tempted to do DCL > Nketiah (only for next week) and then upgrade Simpson > Alonso or Guendouzi > Mount. (Nketiah on bench)

    Do we expect Nketiah to start against Norwich?

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

      He will get minutes but not sure he is starting

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Are u getting your gws mixed up? Arsenal play Norwich this gw so would be brining him in for wolves

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

        Oh yes, my bad.

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

    Auba coming on?

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

    Is Nketiah a better option than DCL

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

      Not for me. DCL will come good

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

      I would say no but if factoring in 2m excess then it's different matter as it could mean Kiko v Alonso

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

        Is Alonso nailed?

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

          Good question probably not a good example

    3. Random Name
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nah DCL better option, he's more of a threat

      Nketiah will be playing for Yeovil in a couple years

  15. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Do we reckon that Doucoure starts?

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

      Seemed strange that he didn’t start against Burnley so would’ve thought he’d be straight back in

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

      I think Doucoure is their most important player, I'd be amazed if he didn't.

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

    Pick one.

    A) DCL (3-4-3)
    B) Alonso/Azpi (4-4-2)
    C) Mount (3-5-2)

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

      Tempted to switch From A to C

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

        I have also A right now, but have 2 FT and it could be easy switch for free.

        Anyway, have to wait this round If theres some injuries. Would like to get Pulisic, but it would be for a hit.

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd rather Alonso than Mount, personally.

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

    a) Jimenez + Saka (in 3-4-3) or b) Nketiah + Mahrez (in 3-5-2)

    Other front 6 are
    KDB, Bruno, Martial, Son
    Kane, Rashford

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

      B

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

        Thanks - Leaning that way. Sounds like Jimenez is running out of steam and they have to play every 3 days

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

          Don't think he is got the service into the box yesterday

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

    Pondering of downgrading Doherty to onboard Mahrez: Doherty Sarr > Mahrez Boly. Sensible move or waste of FTs?

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

      Think you gain points with those transfers

    2. wantsharptv
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Waste

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

      Probably not gain that many points between the two options

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

    COME ON MCCARTHY!

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

      Yes come on save Deeney's penalty!

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

        Yes please!

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

    Well deserved goal.

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

    what the hell

  22. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    lol

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

    SHU deserve at least a goal from this game

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

      Martinez played well today too?

  24. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Worried laca may start again on wednesday

    With nkietiah saved for wolves

    Arteta obviously rate NK higher

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

    Oh well ARS

  26. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For extra Man City coverage (already have god)

    Jesus or Mahrez.

  27. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Arsenal defensive circus continues

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

    yeahh

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

    sheff united look awful without fans

  30. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So annoyed I sold Ings instead of Jota this week. He will bag a brace against Arsenal