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. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    *BOTTOMED

    Thoughts on Auba, Barnes & Mount to Greenwood, Mane & Pulisic for -8?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah

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

      I like it

    3. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers fam

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

    Martial to Bruno? *Evil laugh*

  3. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford, Sarr, DCL > Jesus, Mahrez, Greenwood (-4)?

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

      If you want to take a big risk and make up ground like discussed on the last page the yes

      Expect Greenwood to have inconsistent minutes

  4. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Play Nyland or Leno to someone for a hit?

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

      na way a hit for a GK. unless you can predict a pen save?

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Maybe a new GK brings back those 4 points and more over several gws though?

      2. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Unless it's bloody Pope apparently.

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

    30 with 6 to go - Trent/Aurier/Son/Mane/Vardy/Nketiah. Hopefully will do OK by Thursday post matches.

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

      49 with 8 left to play here. On bb

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

      37 with 5 to go; TAA, Aurier, Salah(c), Kdb and Nketiah...so, so

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      37 with 11 to go ... also on BB

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

    DDG Button
    TAA Doherty AWB Aurier Lascelles
    Salah KDB Fernandes Son Foden
    Jimenez DCL Nketiah
    2ft. Might burn transfer or do you have any ideas?

  7. 2999 - Lady of Legend
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    120 minute training session did Bruno good! 🙂

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

      Martial looked like the one who had played 120mins!

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

    How is Jay Eggersdorf doing this season?

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

    Bruno price prediction next season?

    I’m thinking 10.5m

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      As I don't pick United players and he is the first one to genuinely concern me in quite some time, I'm hoping for 17 mil.

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

    Went with a maverick Son(c) this week... hope it pays off!

  11. Pennywise
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Damn Rashford captaincy paid dividends then *insert eye roll here*

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

    Sarr and Kiko punts a disaster
    Bruno and Pope threatening to save me

    All down to what Salah cap does probably versus Auba

  13. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thinking Ayew+Guendouzi --> Foden+Connolly for 2 FTs.

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

    Pope is killing me. I have beaten top 10k average (just), but red arrow around top 20k 🙁 Or what is happening?!?