Dugout Discussion

Fernandes starts at Brighton despite 120-minute FA Cup outing

Bruno Fernandes (£8.7m) has surprised Fantasy managers by starting for Manchester United’s trip to Brighton.

The Portuguese international played a full 120 minutes in an FA Cup win at Norwich on Saturday, suggesting that he might miss out on Gameweek 32+.

Despite having Andreas Pereira (£4.8m) and Juan Mata (£6.1m) on the bench, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Fernandes for a fourth start in all competitions since the Premier League resumed.

In light of extra-time in the FA Cup, it will be interesting to see how long the midfielder is able to last at the Amex Stadium though.

Fernandes will also be under the microscope of eagle-eyed Fantasy managers still curious about how he will cope with Paul Pogba (£8.3m) in the side.

The Frenchman made his first league start since Gameweek 7 when Sheffield United were dispatched 3-0 at Old Trafford, arguably overshadowing Ferandnes in the process.

Therefore, it will be important analyse whether or not the same will be true on the road, especially considering this is the same XI that Solskjaer named against the Blades.

That means another Premier League start for Mason Greenwood (£4.3m) on the flanks of attacking midfield, Marcus Rashford (£9.1m) on the opposite flank and Anthony Martial (£8.2m) in the centre-forward position.

The out-of-position FPL midfielder scored 10 points the last time he faced Brighton and launched himself onto the Fantasy radar with a hat-trick in Gameweek 31+.

Manchester United may not have it too easy at Brighton though. Notorious tinkerman Graham Potter has gone for an ultra-conservative formation, featuring a back-five and a trio of midfielders screening the defence.

Dan Burn (£4.5m) tucks in alongside Lewis Dunk (£4.7m) and Shane Duffy (£4.8m) at centre-back while Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m), who impressed against Leicester, could be up against Rashford.

Dale Stephens (£4.4m), Yves Bissouma (£5.0m) and Davy Pröpper (£4.8m) have been given the task of protecting the back-five, with creative players such as Aaron Mooy (£4.8m), Leandro Trossard (£5.8m) and Pascal Groß (£6.2m) on the bench.

Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) looks to be in a rather disconnected number 10 role just behind Aaron Connolly (£4.2m) in the lone-striker role, while Neal Maupay (£5.7m) finds himself among the substitutes.

Brighton and Hove XI (5-3-1-1): Ryan; Montoya, Burn, Duffy, Dunk, Lamptey; Bissouma, D Stephens, Pröpper; Mac Allister; Connolly.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka; Matic, Pogba; Rashford, B Fernandes, Greenwood; Martial.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 32+

1,724 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno loves points.

  2. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hey, DDG is playing as well.

  3. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Fernandes punishing them sellers 🙂

  4. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford is so useless... Pathetic pick 😡

    1. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      He’s not match fit yet, he was out a long time with

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

    Hmm, seeing the angle from behind I'm fairly certain that's an own goal. Don't think they'll rock the boat though.

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

      Deflected off Brighton player, Bruno A

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

      Thought there was offside, then an own goal.

      1. Hits from the Bong
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        As a Bruno owner, I agree

        1. Hulk Smash
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Left back was a yard behind the rest of his defence

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

        His shot was on target so the deflection doesn’t matter.

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

    Hate to say it but a Man Utd are back and we’re going to have to listen to G Neville spraying his pants every game from now on.

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

    Goal already given, shows who's watching it

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

    Clear offside not even checked by VAR. LiVARpool will get stiff competition in the coming seasons

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

      Defender on the far side was playing him onside

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

      Firminio Villa

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

        1 decision is all LiVARpool supporters can come up with lmao. Compared to the 30+ decisions in your favor

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

          There are more. Rashford goal v us. Origi clearly fouled in the build up. I'm sure there are more as well. Swings and roundabouts. We've been on the right end of decisions and also the wrong side like most other clubs. It's a fallacy that we've been favoured by VAR

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lmao the left back was a yard behind the rest of his defence

  9. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The shot was goalbound, no own goal imo.

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

      It was screwed well left of target!!! Lol.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Stevie Wonder could see that was heading well left haha!

  10. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Foul against Pogba for him being taller than his opponent

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

    Don’t think anyone was silly enough to sell Bruno

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I think lots did it to be fair

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

        That is unbelievable to be fair. Because of one game...

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

      Saw a few do a sideways to martial

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

      I've pulled the trigger early and I have moved him next GW for Salah. I feel uncomfortable about it

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

    Expect it’ll change to OG, Bruno A..

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Was his shot going wide?

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

        Looked to be nestling in the other bottom corner.

  13. Bielsa's Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Was on target regardless of deflection. Bruno goal.

  14. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Tough on those who opted for Maguire over AWB a couple of weeks ago.

  15. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Everyone owns Bruno.

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

      He's owned 100% 😮 ?

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      not really

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

      Martial for me. And Rash.

    4. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No we don’t 😀

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

    Wow ball out of play too 😆

  17. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    2 goals, 0 Rash(C) contribution. Also he is my only MUTD player. This is getting better and better xD

  18. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    United destroying Brighton

  19. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So ball went out of play
    Then Shaw was offside
    Yet goal stood

    I'll take my 8 pts but very undeserved

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

      How back are you going to go to disallow a goal tho?

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

      SAF's on Stockley Park duty tonight...

  20. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A week late there Bruno but cheers for the points lol

  21. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Really weird that they didn’t VAR that? Ball went out and Shaw looked offside?

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

      They looked at the offside as that’s automatic. Not sure how far they go back to look at ball out of play etc

    2. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Shaw onside, VAR doesn't check out-of-play. completely done by the rulebook

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

        Strange. I remember VAR checked an Ajax goal v Real Madrid last season for an out of play but EPL VAR is wild so who knows. I think it was too far back in the build up anyway tbf

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

    LOL. The ball was out of play for a throw-in before the Man Utd goal.

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

    Rashford to Bluewood ??

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

    Did Brighton just write this game off before it started

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

    We all own Bruno anyway so who cares.

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't!

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      not everyone

  26. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Mile out too LOL

    Operation anything to get United into top 4 in full flow.

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

      apparently

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

    Linesman laughing, Bruno owner spotted

  28. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Ball bad bounced out before the goal... VARcical strikes again...

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

    Everyone still happy with their Bruno -> Martial totally not knee jerk transfer?

  30. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    The timing of that assistant's smile 😆