Scout Notes

FPL lessons learned as Martial and Rashford outscore Fernandes

Man United 2-2 Southampton

  • Goals: Marcus Rashford (£9.0m), Anthony Martial (£8.3m) | Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m), Michael Obafemi (£4.9m)
  • Assists: Martial, Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) | Nathan Redmond (£6.2m), Jan Bednarek (£4.4m)
  • Bonus Points: Martial x3, Bednarek x2, Rashford x1

Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) left his horde of Gameweek 35+ supporters wanting more as Manchester United drew 2-2 with Southampton on Monday night.

Crucially, he was outscored by both Anthony Martial (£8.3m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.0m) on a rare off-night for the Portuguese international.

Grabbing an assist for United’s second goal of the evening, Fernandes did manage to ensure his run of games without a blank extended to four but there was much less to admire as usual.

Since arriving in the Premier League, Manchester United’s number 18 has been a shot machine, registering 16 efforts on goal between Gameweeks 30+ and 34+, the joint-third best of any midfielder.

However, across his 83-minute outing against Southampton, Fernandes was unable to shoot even once, while no penalties for his team left the man shorter of points-scoring avenues than usual.

With attention turning to Manchester City and Chelsea midfielders in Gameweek 36+, some even considering the Free Hit chip, Fantasy managers will want to know whether or not they need to keep a slot for Fernandes, who faces an admittedly porous Crystal Palace defence on Thursday.

It must be said that the Portuguese international did look both fatigued and laboured against Southampton, giving away possession in key moments and failing to find his usual insightful delivery.

It probably did not help matters than Paul Pogba (£8.3m) had an even worse outing, at fault for Southampton’s first goal and largely responsible for robbing Manchester United of any consistent rhythm in the 62 minutes he was on the pitch.

“We created some chances, some fantastic football sometimes, Anthony made some good chances for himself. But we never got the rhythm in the passing today.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Manchester United have been blessed with a kind fixture schedule in terms of turnaround thus far in Project Restart, although it does appear that the compressed nature of the Premier League’s return is starting to take some sort of toll on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men if this most recent performance is anything to go by.

The fact that the trip to Selhurst Park awaits them on Thursday certainly increases the pressure on their fitness. 

But Fernandes owners have to remember that, since Gameweek 30+, only Norwich (15) have conceded more goals than Crystal Palace (13).

And while Fernandes was outscored by Martial and Rashford on Monday night, he has been a more reliable source of points on the road recently.

United’s French centre-forward certainly looked the part once more against Southampton, coming away with a goal and assist, maximum bonus and unlucky not to get more than that.

In the ninth minute, he pickpocketed James Ward-Prowse (£5.7m) in a dangerous area and was denied in a one-on-one with Alex McCarthy (£4.5m) by a strong left-hand by the Saints’ goalkeeper.

In the second half, Martial might have had another assist and goal too. Rashford’s piece of 67th-minute skill on the left-hand side left Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.4m) behind enabling the forward to slide Martial into the dead-ball line. He cut it back to Rashford, only to see Ryan Bertrand (£4.8m) slide in with a brilliant block to deny a certain goal.

Then, in the 80th minute, Martial went on an incredible run down the left, through the middle and past a crowd of Southampton defenders to get through on goal, only to spurn the finish, one he usually would have buried.

Rashford also could have had more than his goal and seven-point return.

Luke Shaw (£5.4m) picked out his pacey run through the middle in the 15th minute, his netted effort ruled out for offside.

Rashford then got through in the 52nd minute after Fernandes’ threaded ball only to see Jan Bednarek (£4.4m) block his goal-bound effort. 

Three minutes later, Fernandes’ chipped pass reached Rashford despite a Walker-Peters handball, who tried a powerful knuckle-ball effort from distance, rippling the side-netting in what would have been a wonderful goal.

However, while Martial and Rashford looked more explosive than Fernandes on Monday night, the disadvantage both of them have against the Portuguese international is their away form.

Since the Premier League came back, Martial has double-figure hauls in every home match, recording 16 points per game at Old Trafford. But across his three on the road, his average stands at 3.7 points per game.

Rashford has also returned in every Project Restart home match so far (7.3 points per game) but is yet to do anything but blank on the road since Gameweek 30+.

By comparison, Fernandes has scored in every road trip in that time, averaging 12.7 points per game in such fixtures. 

Fantasy managers may also be tempted to look at the Manchester United defence for Gameweek 36+. While Crystal Palace’s poor goal-scoring fortunes at home are well-documented this season, the Red Devils backline did suffer some problems against Southampton.

Not only were some of their weaknesses exposed, Solskjaer potentially has a staffing problem at left-back for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Shaw rolled his ankle in the second half, replaced in the 74th minute by Brandon Williams (£3.9m), but the youngster ended up walking off with a nasty gash to the head in stoppage time. Nemanja Matić (£4.8m) was forced to deputise in the left-back position for the closing stages, so it will be interesting to see who claims the spot at Selhurst Park and whether or not that affects Manchester United’s defensive credentials.

For the final moments of the game, in which Michael Obafemi (£4.9m) struck the dramatic equaliser, the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men, because Williams left the field after the three allocated substitute windows had been used.

“He got a cut above his eye. We’ll have to [wait and see]. I’ve not been to see him yet. He’s with the medical staff. Yeah (it was bad luck to lose him) but that’s how it is. We defended well until that corner. Always disappointing to get that in the 96th minute but that’s football. I know the feeling the other way around.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

However, Southampton still caused them plenty of problems all evening.

Stuart Armstrong (£5.2m) threatened in the early stages, breaking away from Pogba in the 10th minute and forcing a sprawling save out of David de Gea (£5.3m) before scoring a minute later.

It was Pogba who lost possession in the defensive third under pressure from Danny Ings (£7.4m), allowing Nathan Redmond (£6.2m) to get in behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) and feed an unmarked Armstrong at the back post. While he was not the only one at fault for this goal, it was interesting to see the Manchester Evening News claim the Gameweek 36+ trip to Crystal Palace could be an ideal time to rest Wan-Bissaka, who was below par on Monday night, picking up a yellow card in the process.

The Southampton wingers combined again in the 48th minute when Armstrong scythed through the middle and laid off to Redmond who drove wide of the left-hand post.

The former Norwich man then went close in the 85th minute, cutting inside from the flanks past Matić, curling an effort at de Gea, who tipped over flamboyantly.

Interestingly, Ings played a rather peripheral role in this Southampton display, especially compared to those stationed in the wide-midfield roles. Since the restart, he has been less effective against the bigger clubs, blanking against Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal but scoring in meetings with Norwich, Watford and Everton. Ings faces Brighton, Bournemouth and Sheffield United between now and the end of the season.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw (B Williams 75′), Maguire, Lindelöf, Wan-Bissaka; Matić, Pogba (Fred 63′); Rashford, B Fernandes (McTominay 84′), Greenwood (D James 84′); Martial.

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Bertrand, Bednarek, J Stephens, Walker-Peters; Redmond, Romeu (Obafemi 87′), Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Smallbone 70′); Ings, Adams (S Long 64′).

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2,012 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martial is better home. Bruno is better away. That’s all you need to know. Been obvious for a while

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tony has been unlucky not to come with points away from home.

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yes but his role is slightly different away from home too. Bruno occupies deeper positions at home but is fairly advanced away. That has a knock on effect on Martial

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      You should start a blog or something

  2. DAVESAVES
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hello

  3. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas on this lot?
    Mahrez, Jimi & AWB need to go

    Pope Hendo
    TAA Doherty AWB Gomez Taylor
    Salah Raz Bruno Mahrez Foden
    Jimenez DCL Greenwood

    1 FT 0.1 itb

  4. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Where can i find the scoutcast as audio only? Thanks.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think it's uploaded yet.

  5. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Sterling (BOU)
    B) D.Silva (BOU)
    C) Pulisic (NOR)

    Have Bournemouth improved defensively or were Leicester and Spurs just very poor?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sorry I meant C

    3. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling

      1. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Is Sterling going to start though?

        1. Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Nobody knows. If you've got him in your squad though you might as well captain.

    4. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Leicester capitulated. Before GKs howler, Bournemouth could have conceded many

    5. Effe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Having Ddg over a 3rd utd attacker has killed me:( Ideas here with 1FT and 1m itb.

    DDG
    Taa • Doherty • Holgate ----------- Kiko Lamptey
    Mahrez • KDB • Bruno • Pulisic --- Guendouzi
    Jimmy • Rashford • Vardy

    A: Ddg + Mahrez >> Pope + Martial (-4)
    B: Jimmy + Guendouzi >> Ings + Foden and bench Mahrez
    C: FH to bring in sterling, dilva, ings, 3 chelsea, antonio
    D: something else

  7. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Greenwood expected points vs Palace?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2

  8. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    These moves worth a FH in gw36+?

    Vardy(SHU) Son(new) Martial(cpl) KDB(mci) Taylor(WOL) Patricio (bur) ---> Giroud(NOR) Pulisic(NOR) Foden (bou) Dilva(bou) Alonso/Azpi(NOR) Ederson(NOR)

    _____
    TAA(ars), Doherty(bur) _____
    Salah(ars),Bruno(cpl) _____, _____, _____
    Greenwood(cpl), _____

    1. DAVESAVES
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

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

    Better option on FH?

    A. Antonio Giroud
    B. Willian Ings

    1. PortoGuy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Willian Giru

    4. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

  10. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What are those Pulisic roumors based on? Another "he wasn't on the photos" story?

  11. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    New post, re post:

    What changes would you make to this lot?

    Patricio
    Doherty Maguire Holgate*
    Sterling Salah Bruno Martial Pulisic
    Jesus Jiminez

    Martin| Dawson Nketiah* Ngakia*

    1FT| 0inb

    Thinking:
    A) Jiminez -> Ings
    B) Jiminez-> Giroud/Chelsea striker whoever starts
    C) Salah -> Foden
    D) Any other

    Cheers.

  12. Legohair
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez to Ings worth to take hit?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, don't think so

  13. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best keeper for the FH team. Not Ederson

    Thanks

    1. Dosh
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      McCarthy or Pope

  14. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA Doherty Aurier
    Sterling KDB Mahrez Bruno Martial
    Rashford Jimenez

    (3.9 Holgate Cathcart Nketiah)
    1Ft & 0.8m

    A) Jimenez ➡ Ings
    B) Jimenez & Mahrez ➡ Jesus & Pulisic -4

    Feels like another 50-50 decision which could go horribly wrong or right.

  15. Jukes
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thinking of using FH in GW38 now. So much uncertainty with FA Cup this week.

    Pope (Button)
    Holgate TAA Doherty (Lascelles/Lamptey)
    Bruno Salah Martial KDB Foden
    Vardy Greenwood (Jiménez)

    Thinking just KDB to Pulisic. Thoughts??

  16. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH team template please

  17. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pick any 2 on free hit please.

    1. Giroud
    2. Bruno
    3. Antonio
    4. Jesus

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      24

      1. Boberella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2 & 4

  18. Gegenpress
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What time are the pressers today?

    Any news on Aurier?

    Put in order of Priority for this week:

    1) Dilva
    2) Sterling
    3) Jesus
    4) Ings
    5) Willian
    6) Pulisic
    7) Giroud
    8) Antonio

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Aurier surely won’t play

      6
      3
      7
      1
      2
      4
      5
      8

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will wait for more news

    3. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      no foden??

      1. Gegenpress
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Already got Foden in

  19. Do I Not Like Orange
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who would you captain from this lot?

    A) KDB
    B) Foden
    C) Ings
    D) Salah
    E) Martial

    1. StayoutheSpiceZone
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m
      Currently on B

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      same b

  20. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning

    What would you do with this team for this GW

    Pope Ramsdale

    Azpilicueta Fernandez Stevens Boly Egan

    KDB Martial Foden Fernandes Mane

    Ings Greenwood Jimenez

    1.7 ITB 1FT

    Any ideas would be welcomed

  21. Jukes
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    D

  22. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to captain?

    Fabianski
    Justin Azpi VVD
    Foden KDB Martial Bruno Pullsic
    Greenwood Jesus

    Martinez Vardy Dawson PVA

    Captain thoughts would be welcome!

    1FT 5.1m itb

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      jesus or pulisic worth a shot this gameweek

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        also I would play vardy over greenwood

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pulisic

    3. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      foden or pulisic

  23. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you transfer Guendouzi out for Foden this GW? Would mean benching Greenwood and burning my second FT

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like it. I like it a lot

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    3. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      yes

    4. Boberella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Without hesitation

    5. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      resounding yes I think. Although I do think greenwood could explode vs a palace side on the beach

  24. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’m starting DCL over Greenwood, am I stupid?

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I mean Everton look like they're on the beach

    3. merin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes. Even though DCL face Villa, he still doesn’t have form. Greenwood have both form and fixture.

  25. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Want Martial, but not sure what mid to ship to make room. Any suggestions?

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty AWB Robinson Simpson
    KDB Salah Fernandes Pulisic Foden
    Rashford Ings Nketiah

    0 FT, 3.5 ITB

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not worth the -8 this week

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wait a week then Pulisic > Martial

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers!

        Might do AWB Pulisic -> Egan Martial (for a hit) next week.

  26. Bruno Commando
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best option?

    A) Vardy -> Ings
    B) Vardy -> Jesus
    C) Vardy + Mahrez -> Salah + Giroud/Rodriguez
    D) Vardy + Mahrez -> Mane + Ings

    1. merin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  27. FPLHaggis
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Some big calls for my team this week:

    Play:
    A) C.Taylor WOL (Pope in goals)
    B) Boly bur (rival has double WOL def)

    Play:
    1) Greenwood cpl
    2) Jimenez bur (Pope in goals)

    1. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B1

    2. Bwana Kubwa
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B2

  28. Crashjct
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is this a good gameweek to FH?

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      its only 3 gameweeks left so I would say it is depending on your team

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I dont think its as good as the last week since we are likely to get three city players who then probably wont start.

      On the last week hopefully we get line up news and really take advantage.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      It is but the City options you may want may not all start. A good team for this week could leave you 10m ITB

  29. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys please Captain
    A) Jesus

    B) D Silva

    C) Antonio

    D) Pulisic

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      D

    2. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  30. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or Mane

    Foden or Dilva?

    On Free Hit.

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Replied on last page. Foden Salah