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. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    English Dani Alvez starts

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

      * Roberto Carlos

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

      Spanish cafu*

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

    Smallbone’s presence in the box is usually limited.....

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Only does well in certain positions

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

      I Long Smallbone combo getting a lot of joy.

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

      He'll have to be flexible

    4. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      😛

  3. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Kabasele not first choice?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Probably a rotation. Cathcart was benched in first game, now it's Kabasele turn.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers.

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

    Who do people think will score most point through the rest of the season

    A) Mahrez
    B) Martial

    Can see mahrez scoring more per appearance but martial less likely to be rotated.

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I feel like Man Utd players will want to prove themselves in last few games of season. Tripling up on Martial, Fernandes & Rash in WC.

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

    What have we learned from the ShefU vs Arsenal game?
    For me:
    A good call Nketiah in my 11 for Norwich game.
    Lund cost me 4.9. The injury looks enough for him to be out so i will be losing at least another .1 and short on my bench.

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

      SHU on their way down
      Probably will finish in below half of table

  6. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Cue the "Willy Smallbone" jokes.

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

      Yeah, totally pathetic......

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sarr hatrick would do wonders 😉

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes, would like that.

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

      Even x1 I’d be very happy with!

  8. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Senegalese mane looking ripe for a haul today

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Senegalese Mane is just Mane, though?

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

        Mane is norwegian

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

          Don't trust you.
          Give me his FPL team id.

        2. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          It’s pronounce “ma” like bad but with an R on the end. Then “ne” like the noise a horse makes.

          Ma-ne

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Sorry was another pathetic joke. Ignore me

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

      Senegalese Sarr to destroy City on Thursday.

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

    Wow
    They have messed up the schedule i guess.
    FA cup & PL games together. Don't remember this happening before

    1. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Really isn't a case of 'they' have mess it up. Corona Virus wrecked the schedule for them now they are just getting all the fixtures in!

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

        They could have easily setup the games apart.
        4 KO's in a day maybe.

        It's strange tbh.

  10. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Top 10k Top 5 EO in this PL match:

    1) Ings: 21.1%
    2) Sarr: 6.0%
    3) McCarthy: 3.6%
    4) Foster: 2.6%
    5) Femenia: 1.6%

    So basically, Ings the only one who is really going to hurt you if you don't own.

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

      How has 1.6% picked the most injury prone player in the history of football

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Because he is cheap. Ideal for 3rd bench spot.

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

          He's the only active bench player for cheapskates like me.

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

          I’m playing him 😆

      2. Reg83
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        kiko femenia in my BB team

      3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That’s harsh, he’s no caroll/Wilshere!

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

      Kiko
      Fingers crossed he doesn't break down before GW 36/37

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

      any news if ings is starting

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        He starts.

  11. reo19uk
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    BB team for GW33+

    Dubravka, Pope
    Maguire, Saiss, VVD, Lascelles, Taylor
    Martial, KDB, Son, Salah, Cantwell
    Jiminez, Rashford, Joelinton.

    Only guy really not happy with for the BB team is Joelinton but who would be worth putting in for him at 5.8 or less?

    1. My own Personal Jesus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nketiah

      1. reo19uk
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Nketiah away against Wolves surely isn't a good fixture in GW 33+?

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

      Maupey v Norwich?

    3. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Origi would interest me if I knew he would be starting now season wrapped up but think guessing Liverpool team gonna be tough now!

  12. Mweene
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez captain and Armstrong dropped. Fantastic start to my bench boost gameweek

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ouch, just think those holding out with chips will have even more rotation to negotiate 😉

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Rotten luck.

      May get lucky with an Armstrong goal off the bench.

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

      😕

    4. Mweene
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      It's not the first time a smallbone has humiliated me

  13. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMT, what’s a good %age to go with?

    Just checked as BB in play & this week is the highest shown 65% ?

    Good or Bad?

  14. rokonto
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone know if we can get get the one month free trial Amazon Prime?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cough student account £3 per month 🙂

  15. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I think those with or thinking of a Wolves defensive double up this gameweek may have to think again. This Arsenal team are building up a little bit of confidence and momentum now...

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

      Absolutely not

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

      Train has past us now.
      Only Doherty for me

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

      agree

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

      But that same arsenal team prone to dead ball situations. Yum yum

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

      Doherty assist or goal and Patricio a couple of save points with a CS incoming...

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

    Auba + Mount -> Greenwood + Salah no brainer? Means I will play my super differential Shelvey against Bournemouth

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

      howd u know greenwood will play

      1. reo19uk
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        And who knows what Liverpool players will play game to game now season wrapped up!

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

        He will be on the bench, thats why Im playing Shelvey

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

          then im not in favor of that move..

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

    pulisic starts.. whats it mean for owners?

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

      It sounds like the heading of tomorrow's article 😉

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      An early sub and he still might start Wednesday.

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

        Might ??
        He has to
        I have got him in for a hit.
        😀

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That comment has more hope than reality in it. Unfortunate for Puli owners.

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          It's more uncertainty. I'd rather he didn't start tbh.

          If I were to guess I'd say he will.

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

      1 pt this week

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

      Good, wants the match fit sharpness

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

      would people fear moving on him if he gets benched though that typically means he'll likely start v watford

  18. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez or Abraham til the end of the season?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      J

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

      Jimenez

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

      jimi.. more secure

    4. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Tammy is sharing game time with Gru and not really doing much. Might as well get Nketiah for same security.

  19. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    If Chelsea or Leicester join United in the Semi's what effect, if any, will it have on all three's CL qualifying chances? All three play the semi before and after their final matches in GW37 and GW38.

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

      Wolves flag waving high i see 😉

      1. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        It's always waving high. 😀

    2. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Even if United got to final and 1st for FA Cup final and 5th for Europa league it wouldn't really effect them as they won so big in previous round a lot of players will be rested on 5th Whether they in cup final or not!

  20. Arctic monkeys
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba full rest, he'll be scaring the sh*t out of me against Norwich

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

      Auba has got to be quite high on Joe’s Goals Imminent stats table right? He has had the chance in his blanks despite being fielded wide...

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah he had so many chances and wasn't lucky with them.

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Should have captained him instead of Doherty 🙁

      1. Arctic monkeys
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Ouch

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

    Why are the FA Cup semi finals at Wembley when there is no crowd?

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

      Good question.
      Maybe it's ground fees or anything (they must have a contract of sorts right ?)

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

      I assume coz the contract had already been signed.

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

        Sure but the contract matters due to gate money and refreshments and that's all gone. Don't know why Wembley would be bothered to enforce it.

    3. reo19uk
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think it is more down to where else they would be played with it having to be a neutral Venue. But I agree that they should arrange somewhere after the ties have been drawn for example if United Vs City then seems pretty pointless making them head to London.

  22. 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.

  23. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Out of interest, anyone considering Mane and Sarah double up past the mcy game.

    1. DF
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm already on that.

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

        Its great for now, yes. Are you considering it beyond my though?

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

          mcy*

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

      I'm definitely not.

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

      Waste of money as you cant cap both

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

        I have money to waste.

        Not bothered about captain conflict. I was on the double up for months before lockdown , was working a treat.

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

          I was also and it was nice differential to have. Now DCL and Ings etc are not performing /reliable starters and it does cause issues.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I went for DD on WC, so not my cup of tea atm.

    5. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      On it atm.

      Keeping them for Villa then reassessing.

    6. Reg83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      difficult to accomodate both of them

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

        True. Nketiah helps

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

    Hi guys does it work when you say 'X player hat-trick incoming'?

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

      Try on Wednesday with Pulisic and let me know

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

      No but it works when you say "X captain fail...." after 20 minutes

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. Ultimate confirmation that the individual posting it is simple.

  25. Reg83
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    cmon Kiko! He is in my BB

  26. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Missing out on any Auba haul is not the worth risk. Most needed a hit to bring him in and will need a hit to get rid of him straight away. Plus the players you would have swapped him for e.g. Rashford could outscore him anyway.

  27. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martial cap feels like a good decision, back to back hatties inbound 😛

  28. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please RMWCT 🙂

    Ederson - Button
    TAA - AWB - Holgate - Lowton - Kiko
    Salah - KDB - Son - Martial - Mount
    Rashford - DCL - Nketiah

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sound enough

  29. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How to stop the red arrows and captain fails?

    DDG
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Mane KDB Son Fernandes Pulisic
    Jimenez DCL
    Martin Lascelles Greenwood Simpson