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

    Bruno off

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

    Bye Bruno

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

    Fernandes off
    McTominay on

  4. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno off

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

    Bruno subbed, well earnt rest xx

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

    Bruno off

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

    Well done Bruno

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

    Bruno cleanie locked in

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

    Rashford has been bad after break, sadly.

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

    Bruno/Pogs/Shaw off it appears

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

    Greenwood in for DCL as 3rd striker could be amazing value

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

    Rashford is so bad at running with the ball he always either leaves it behind him or boots it miles in front of him

  13. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford need a goal from you.. Wake up fella!!

  14. Me Spurs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Tempted to go rash guendouzi out for greenwood mahrez, rashford to wide for my liking

  15. For Fuchs Sake
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford to Greenwood will save so much money!!

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

    Bruno CS locked and 16pts locked

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

    ok for Utd to concede now

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

    Bruno nailed for Bournemouth 🙂

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

    Can you do it at the weekend when it matters, Bruno?

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

      This

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

    Bruno off

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

    Shaw and Pogba off
    Williams and Pereira on

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

    OGS clearly appreciates FPL, waiting until 63 to sub Bruno

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

      Lol

  23. Zenith UK
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    So tempted to make this team;

    Patricio, Button
    Trent, Robbo, Laporte, Doherty, Lund
    Mane, KDB, Bruno, Pogba, Saka
    Jimi, Nketiah, Greenwood

    Exact money!

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

      Nah

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

    Bruno vs Salah it is...

  25. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    rashford is worth about a half bag of crisps

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not cheese and onion

  26. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    When we talk about exciting players to own, is martial the opposite? So uninspiring to watch

  27. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What week’s looking best to free hit? 33, 36 or 38?

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

      Last week mate.

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

      Last week. Be ideal if we get some early team news too!

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

    So, thoughts on pogba as an asset now?

    Seems to be a choice of 3 of these 4?

    Bruno, martial rash and awb.

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

    Just need a Maguire goal!

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

      This. It’s a corner. Let’s see what happens

  30. ZLATAN'S PONYTAIL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bruno is a consumate professional. His defensive and offensive work rate are phenomenal. Talent on point as well.