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. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimi>

    A. Ings
    B. Giroud

    (FH 38 so will be for two weeks)

    1. FPL Joker
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Giroud

    2. ItOnlyTook9Years
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

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

      A

    4. aapoman
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

    5. BremerHB
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings

    6. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ings for the rest of the season

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

    I wish we had the All out Attack chip for this GW. So many good attacking options!

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      True - finally a season where it would be worth something

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Maybe have 4 chips next season, but you can only choose 3!

  3. ItOnlyTook9Years
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Building a free hit team is really hard, too many to pick from, and the ones I choose will be the ones that undoubtedly get rested or blank 😀

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Story of my life

      Have feeling sterling and kdb will be rested with the FA cup game Saturday

      Thinking dsilva jesus and foden atm

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden David S and Raz on my FH

  4. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Either of these worth a -4?
    KDB to Sterling/Dilva/Foden
    Vardy to Jesus.

    Pope
    TAA Diop Doherty
    Salah Bruno Martial KDB Pullisic
    Vardy Greenwood
    Martinez DCL Fernandez Aurier.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden could be worth it if you captain him

  5. gooner_112233445566
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who scores more points next 2 games...

    A) willian (NOR, liv)
    B) pulisic
    C) foden (BOURN, Watford)
    D) D Silva
    E) Richarlison (VILLA, sheff Utd)

    Don’t think foden starts Watford myself which is why I’m unsure about him

    1. bigdip
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm going with A

  6. Release The Ox
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which one? Currently top of my mini league so dont need to take risks but...

    Saka, Rashford, Jimenez to Sterling (C), Greenwood and 3rd striker bench fodder (for a hit)

    or

    Saka, Jimenez to Dilva & J Rod

    If the second option, will prob captain Salah v Arsenal

    Team is

    Martinez (Martin)
    TAA Maguire Doherty (Justin) (Simpson)
    KDB Bruno Salah Foden (Saka)
    Rash Ings Jimi

  7. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Free hit activated. Waiting for early team news on Chelsea game if something needs to be adjusted

    Patricio
    Azpi Alonso AWB
    Sterling Dilva Fernandes Martial Pulisic
    Jesus Ings

    3.9; Jota, Boly, Lamptey

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good. I like the double Chelsea defence if they're both confirmed starters. Feel like one of them will get attacking returns. I'd maybe consider a different GK but no obvious choices (maybe McCarthy?).

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

        thank you!

  8. rnrd
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If Giroud starts (leaked line up?) I believe Azpi is a very good bet this week.
    He ll probably play on the right again and the Azpi/Giroud association works very Well. Can see a haul from Azpi

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

    For this week A

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks

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

      *failed response to BREMERHB last page!

  10. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any ideas for improvement here. 2ft 2.7m Itb.

    Pope Button
    TAA Doherty Aurier Lascelles Kiko
    KDB Salah Fernandes Hayden Guendouzi
    Rashford Jiminez Greenwood....

    1. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hayden - Antonio
      Aurier - AWB

      Is that affordable?

      1. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ignore AWB, you've already three MUN. Garcia?

  11. koppite1210
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1) Rash, Mahrez > Ings, Dilva
    2) Rash, Mahrez > Ings, Pulisic
    3) Rash, Mahrez, Vardy > Ings, Sterling & Giroud (-4)
    4) Rash, Mahrez, Aurier > Ings, Pulisic/Dilva & Azpi (-4)

    Already have Martial, Bruno, Salah & Foden.

    Thanks in advance!

    1. Almathkourq8
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would go with 1

    2. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      2

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

      4 could be worth it if we get Aurier news, but it depends which defender would come in.

  12. Almathkourq8
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Morning
    Please Rate my FH team

    Ederson
    Azp AWB Digne
    Dsilva Bruno Salah Willian Martial
    Jesus Ingsy

    Should I get Sterling?

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

      Salah to Sterling perhaps?
      Otherwise GTG.

    2. Salah_Fingers
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Similar to mine below, salah to sterling could be good, you'd need to swap out ederson

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

      Needs triple Chelsea. Either Alonoo or Pulisic.

      Ederson feels a bit of a waste of a City spot, as you can buy a ticket for Pep roulette with Foden, Sterling etc

      Otherwise looks fine.

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

    Hi guys, I need some assistance please -

    Who to (i) bench and (ii) captain this week with FA Cup rotation in mind)

    1. Mane
    2. KDB
    3. Sterling
    4. Foden
    5. Fernandes
    6. Rashford
    7. Greenwood
    8. Ings

    Your suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

    1. Almathkourq8
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      U might bench KDB might not start
      Captain Bruno for safe side

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

        He only played 60 mins last game though..

    2. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      for me your benching decision is easy here: Greenwood

      Captain is very tricky though I think it's really a matter of luck here, however I would make sure my VC plays so I'd go Mané (VC)

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      bench Rashford, captain Foden

  14. Nerazzuro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How many hours away is Pep's press conference? I'm in Australia, may help with transfer decisions.

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Except all the questions center around the CAS ruling though.

    2. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *Expect

  15. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Pope
    Alexander-Arnold, Boly, Wan-Bissaka
    De Bruyne, Fernandes, Salah, Pulisic, Foden
    Greenwood, vardy

    Button

    Lascelles, Egan, Connolly

    Wtf do I do?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Vardy to Jesus or KDB to Sterling

  16. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Hold
    B) Vardy -> Jesus
    D) Jiminez -> Giroud, bench Vardy

    No chelsea assets, ML rival already has Puli so I'm wary. Keeping Salah and KDB for now, Martial/Bruno/Foden already holding other 3 spots.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      If you want pick a CHE player for one GW only then do it as the fixtures after are difficult. B for me

      1. Lilac Breasted Roller
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        yeah, it's what makes me hesitant to waste a FT. Preferably also good options for GW37.

        I think I'll go B. Happy with his goal, but LEI is in poor form. Maddison might return, but might not.

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I don't see LEI getting much from Shef Utd who look like they are back to their best. Tight and well organised.LEI in poor form as you said.

  17. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need to close ML gap which appeared with some recent bad GWs (Already did TAA & Nketiah to VVD & Jesus for -4 hit)

    DDG (Martin)
    VVD, Saiss, Holgate (Kiko, Lascelles)
    Kdb, Willian, MANE, Bruno (Saka)
    Kane, Greenwood, Jesus (c)

    Shall I do, for a - 8 hit?:

    A) Mane to Sterling or Pulisic
    B) Kane to Giroud or Ings
    C) Dont take extra hit

    1. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    2. altan8797
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      C

      1. bigdip
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks gents.

  18. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH GTG 0.0ITB?

    DDG

    TAA - Digne - Azpilicueta

    Pulisic - DSilva - Sterling - Martial - B fernandes

    Ings - Jesus

    (Reina - Giroud - Stephens - lascelles)

  19. Don Rogers FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I game Only:

    A) Martial & Ings

    Or

    B) Pulisic and Vardy

    1. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Close but B, just.

  20. fridge
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If we find out Giroud is in starting line up would you prefer...

    A) Dilva, Giroud
    B) Willian, Jesus

    1. Dion D's Solo Shower
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Still B, I think

    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  21. Dion D's Solo Shower
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Got 2 FTs going in to next GW, who do I use it on?
    Need to get some Chelsea/City players in!

    Pope
    TAA* - Boly - Doherty
    Salah* - KDB* - Martial - Bruno
    DCL* - Greenwood - Jimmy

    A) TAA + Salah --> Alonso (if confirmed starter) + Sterling
    B) KDB + DCL --> Willian/Pulisic + Jesus
    C) Salah + DCL --> Sterling + Ings
    D) Any other?

    Let me know what you think!

  22. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Kane + Mahrez > Ings + Sterling -4?

  23. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    KDB and Greenwood to be benched this GW? Could this work for remaining games?
    KDB,Greenwood-> Foden, Rashford ?

  24. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    This coming gw the best time to use FH?

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes, definitely

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'm completely confused. I was expecting to TC this week and FH 38, but there are no obvious TC candidates this week so I'm considering flipping.

  25. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hey guys, I'm keen to get Willian, Puli and Ings but only have 1 FT. Should I take a hit to take two or just get one?

    A Sarr > Willian
    B Sarr > Puli
    C Vardy > Ings

    Patricio
    Azpi / Boly / Holgate
    KDB / Sterling / Bruno / Martial / Sarr
    Vardy / Greenwood

    Martinez / Masina / Lascelles / Nketiah

  26. Toonzie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) Sterling + Ings
    B) Willian + Jesus

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

      A

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  27. altan8797
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Good morning to all,

    GTG for GW36?

    McCarthy
    Digne Doherty Creswell
    Sterling Willian(vc) Bruno Son
    Vardy Jesus(c) Calvert

    Martin Fernandez Cantwell Kelly

    1. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      DCL to Ings?

      1. altan8797
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        no funds and already used my FT for jesus 🙁

        1. Fozzyb34r
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Fair enough, I’d stick then

  28. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to captain:

    1. Salah (ars)
    2. Fernandes (cry)
    3. KDB (BOU)
    4. Foden (BOU)
    5. Greenwood (cry)

    Thanks

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Foden

    2. Fozzyb34r
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I like Foden as a punty captain

    3. Garth Marenghi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      4

  29. simong1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you FH this or wait until GW38+? There's literally 3 points between myself and 3rd in my ML with money on the line so need to get it right! My rivals have no chips left

    Martinez
    TAA - Doherty - Saiss
    Salah - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Pulisic
    Ings - Greenwood - Jesus

    1. The Man Pastore
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      keep for GW38

    2. Pegboy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think I'd wait. Assuming you have 1FT I'd just do Mahrez > Silva/Foden.

      1. simong1
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks. I used the ft up on Vardy to Jesus. Worth taking a hit for Mahrez to Foden/Dilva?

        1. Pegboy
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No, probably not. Mahrez might get a cameo.

  30. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best man city defender to punt on on free hit?

    Am thinking otamendi or maybe cancelo?