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

    Come on Maupay, let's smash this Man U cleanie

  2. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best move here with 17.1 to spend,have Martial and Pulisic

    A) Auba + Grealish > Jimenez + Mahrez (-4)

    B) Auba + Grealish > Jimenez + Bruno(-4)

    C) Auba > Jimenez

    D) Something else

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

    Trossard casuals in heaven

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

    WC Team, just around 51m starting XI ...

    Martinez
    Holgate Taylor Lascelles Saiss
    Foden JWP Dendocker
    Greenwood Nketiah Origi

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

    Best United triple up?

    A) Greenwood, Fernandez, Martial

    B) Rashford, Fernandez, Martial

    C) Rashford, Fernandez, Defender

    D) Rashford, Martial, Defender

    E) Greenwood, Fernandez, Defender

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

      B

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

        Or maybe d

        But do many options elsewhere in defence

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

      it'll be a different trio every week. Bruno and AWB will have the odd blank but most reliable overall. Then it's best of luck between the front 3 (Rashford, Greenwood, Martial)

    3. Jolly Good
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C or E for me....

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

    The logic of the triple Man U offence is that they’ll probably score a few goals each gw, and whoever gets them you still win. Plus some assists presumably.

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

      AWB getting hard to overlook in that aspect though.

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

        This is true. He’s doing great.

        Definitely making a case for inclusion.

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

      Just pick 2 and AWB. 3 is overkill

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

    Watching Greenwood play is like an RVP with better dribbling. Such confidence at 18 is pretty impressive. Stepovers at that. Maybe if stays fit(Which was RVPs bane) could lead Manutd in 2022?

  8. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno 165 minutes running like a madman. Rashford and Martial walking around

  9. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Come on rash grab a goal!

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

    Is Greenwood a better option tham Rashford?

    Huge difference in price and they are essentially playing the same position, flanking the striker.

    Think Mason is likely to get an extended run

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

    BRUNOOOOOO

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

      Greenwood A

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

    BRUNOOOOOO

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

    Brrruuunnnooooo

  14. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    BRUNO!

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

    Bruno again G

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

    OMG Bruno

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

      Omg sellers

  17. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    This guy is a good player. And I hate saying that as an Arsenal fan

  18. Eat my goal!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    B E A utiful!

  19. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Lethal Bruno

  20. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Wow

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

    Bruno G Greenwood A

  22. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Could do with a Brighton goal to liven this up

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

    What a strike!

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

    Brilliant from Greenwood

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

    Wow!! Bruno on fire

  26. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    OMG BRUNOOOOO

  27. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Season over 🙁

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

    omg

  29. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Getting my due reward for keeping Fernandes over Martial

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

    Captained Martial over Bruno XD