Dugout Discussion

Fernandes and Pogba both start against injury-hit Bournemouth defence

Bruno Fernandes (£8.8m) and Paul Pogba (£8.3m) both start for Manchester United as Bournemouth come to Old Trafford.

The pair were subject of an injury rumour circling around some quarters of the media on Friday evening, but it would appear they came through the most recent training session unscathed.

In fact, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has named an unchanged line-up from the side that won comfortably at Brighton, much to the delight of Fantasy managers interested in their assets.

At a time when Manchester United options are in such high-demand, it is encouraging to know that the manager has found a settled selection. This is the first time since November 2006 that an unchanged XI has been named in three successive Premier League matches.

That means Mason Greenwood (£4.4m) is on the right-hand side of attacking midfield once more, joined there by Fernandes and Marcus Rashford (£9.1m).

Meanwhile, Anthony Martial (£8.2m) starts up-front hoping to replicate his most recent Old Trafford outing, which saw the Frenchman score a hat-trick against Bournemouth.

A further boost for Manchester United backers has emerged in the form of injuries to Chris Mepham (£4.3m) and Steve Cook (£5.0m), who was reprimanded by Eddie Howe this week for publicly criticising Bournemouth.

With Simon Francis (£4.4m) still on the sidelines, a dearth of options has forced the Bournemouth manager into some tough decisions with his defence.

Left-back Lloyd Kelly (£4.4m) has tucked into centre-back alongside Nathan Aké (£4.8m) with Diego Rico (£4.2m) earning his first start since Gameweek 26.

Elsewhere, Leicester host Crystal Palace, although that fixture has considerably less Fantasy interest.

Jamie Vardy (£9.7m) remains the most popular Fox, sat in 26.2% of teams, but has just two goals since Gameweek 19.

That statistic does not particularly bode well given that Roy Hodgson’s men have four clean sheets from their last six matches.

It is also frustrating news for the 15.1% still in possession of James Maddison (£7.4m), who does not make the matchday squad while Harvey Barnes (£6.0m) is among the substitutes for the third match in a row since the Premier League returned.

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel; Chilwell, Söyüncü, Evans, Justin; Pérez, Tielemans, Ndidi, Albrighton; Iheanacho, Vardy.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita; van Aanholt, Cahill, Sakho, J Ward; Zaha, Riedewald, Milivojevic, McArthur; Benteke, Ayew.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka; Pogba, Matić; Rashford, B Fernandes, Greenwood; Martial.

Bournemouth XI: Ramsdale, Rico, Aké, L Kelly, A Smith; Stanislas, L Cook, Lerma, Brooks; J King, Solanke.

2,491 Comments Post a Comment
  1. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    You see that Rashford? That's how you score a goal from left wing.

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

    I've never been so happy to see United score...

  3. BigCoupes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What a hit!

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

    Add Bruno assist ya frauds

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

    Bruno(c),Martial and Rashy owner here-very happy! 🙂

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

      Same! 😀

  6. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Get in United

  7. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Martial be like! If they don't give me an assist, I'll score one!

  8. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    United attack is just so good unbelievable

  9. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Yes Martial!

  10. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I don't care I want my Martial assist too

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

      Why would he have an assist

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

    Bruno assist?

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

    Vardy late to the party?

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

    Bruno, Martial and Greenwood owner. In heaven

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

    Martial+Bruno = fantastic combo 😀

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

    Bruno assist

  16. Party time
      3 years, 9 months ago

      We want more Anthony Martial(C)!!!!

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

      Martial lethal

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That shouldnt be Martial goal but ok

    • seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      congrats martial owners.

    • Differentiator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Undeserved assist for Bruno that. Take it away

    • JustPark
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Beautifully put. Almost Coutinho-esque.

    • HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I still want the Martial assist. That has been given in other games this season. Consistency!

    • Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno TC and Martial owner lovely

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

        You still need another Bruno goal or assist to be a tc success

        1. Jack Burton
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I know fingers crossed

    • evilfish
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That'll do, keep ya assist!

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

      Bruno is the first name on my teamsheet next season.

    • Firmino
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Triple United attack, Bruno, Tony and Rashford looking good.

    • Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Bruno(c) coming together nicely, just need a goal

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Won’t be given his assist now?

    • Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Man Utd back in the title race?

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

        Still think Pool and City much better than us. Would love to see MU challenge for the title but think next year won't be possible. I'm a United fan.

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

        Yeah, the 2039/40 title.

    • KGFC
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      AWB can you pls score one so that I can feel better about my FH!