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. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Why are there a few Freehitting this GW and not GW38?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      some teams more setup for 37,38 than this week with some weird fixtures . i still have TC too so have to use one and i think week 38 on auba or a city player is the move

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

      Depends on your current team obviously

    3. bluetiger
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For me, I like ym GW 37 team and am expecting rotation this week. It would give me a chance to get some 'different' Man City players, and also lose Utd players for what I expect to be a low scoring game at palace. I also don't want Chelsea players long-term.

    4. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      great fixtures, I free hit in 33 with an already strong looking team and outscored it by 30+ points! went all in the top players

    5. Teror
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I still have my TC and think there will be less chance of rotation in GW38. Plus City play Norwich, who are utterly hapless.

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

    Think I really like this FH team finally, any thoughts?

    DDG
    TAA Alonso AWB
    Sterling D.Silva Foden Martial Pulisic
    Giroud Ings

    Bench: Pope Wood Tarkowski Saiss

    Cheers!

    1. Mayor of Flair
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Azpi in for Alonso

      Hard to know about the City boys

    2. bluetiger
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Think you've got a good mix of covering highly owned players and some differentials. I'd be worried about not having Bruno though

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

        That's surely the one that worries me the most as most my rivals got him. But I am chasing 25pts and think Martial could score more. I will probably be wrong tho...

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

      I'd rather Burno over Martial. More reliable.

  3. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH this gw to go for City assets can be either a big hit or a disaster. Personally I prefer to save it for the last gw where Pep's boys will seek for revenge after their 3-2 defeat against Norwich and they will destroy them in David Silva's iconic farewell at the Etihad

  4. Weasel51
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Should i FH this team?

    Martinez
    Doherty Saiss TAA
    KDB Sterling Mahrez Fernandez
    DCL Vardy Greenwood

    3.9, Saka, Lascelles, Kiko

    Or should I do Mahrez >>> Pulisic?

  5. bluetiger
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I would really like to free hit this week - like my team for GW37 and think there are plenty of relative differentials that could do well this week. Ranked 42k and I think this would be my final big opportunity to move towards the top 10k, particularly with Man City rotation likely. But I just know that taking out Trent. Doherty, KDB, Greenwood is a recipe for disaster! I also have 2 FTs which would go to waste. What would be your moves?

    A) Free Hit - live a little
    B) Step away from the keyboard

    Current team:
    Foster
    TAA/ Doherty/ AWB
    Sterling (c)/ KDB/ Mahrez/ Bruno/ Pulisic
    DCL/ Greenwood

    Free hit team
    Pope*
    Alonso*/ Digne*/ AWB
    Sterling (c)/ Foden*/ Willian*/ Pulisic/ Bruno
    Jesus*/ Ings*

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      get dsilva in for one of the city midfielders hes nailed on

  6. Mayor of Flair
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Any chance of Ings getting rested at some point?

    1. nadman89
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      thought crossed my mind seeing they have ings long che adams and the obafemi fellow that came on n scored

      1. Mayor of Flair
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ya I'm quite keen to get him in but he's played every minute bar 3 since the restart

    2. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      his boss Hassenhuttl gave away infomation that he want Ings to have a shot for GB which implied he starts the remaining fixtures, but short turnaround and could be out of reach. Why would you rest your best striker? Who is extremely fit? Because he had an injury 2 years back?

  7. nadman89
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    why is everyone sure jesus and sterling start?

    1. Pinturicchio10
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nobody is. Cant be.

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

        Asking myself the same question... I see him in every FH team but I don't see having a lot of gametime. I prefer to go safer with DSilva / Foden / Sterling

      • GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        They can't be. I heard Jesus rang his auld fella and he doesn't even know what Guardiola thinks. 😉

        1. nadman89
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          im thinking of goin dsilva, cancelo , ederson because theyre nailed on

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

            Niall Quinn and Richie Dunne could start at this rate. It'll be too late when announced but having the team sheet is the only certainty. One thing that is definite though, they've no interest in this league now. Cup and CL are what matters.

            1. bench boost for every gamew…
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              yep but if they matters staying in match rythm and fitness consolidation also means he will play the ones he wants to play in those, so logic can be turned around with another perspective.

    2. Plagued by indecision
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Would you Free Hit this team? 1 FT, 2.7 ITB

      Pope (Martinez)
      Doherty / Saiss / AWB (Lascelles / Aurier)
      Willian / Martial / Mahrez / Salah (Saka)
      Greenwood / Vardy / Jimenez

      Could do Vardy > Jesus and Mahrez > Pulisic/DSilva instead (for -4) and BB next week, FH 38.

    3. juho
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Appreciate if you guys could pick 2 from this group of 6:

      1) Foden
      2) Silva
      3) Jesus
      4) Willian
      5) Pulisic
      6) Ings

      I plan to BB in GW37 and FH in GW38

      Thanks!

      1. nadman89
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        for me its between 2,4,5

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

          No love for Ings despite Brighton and Bournemouth in the next two?

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

        1,5,6.

    4. Sir Oki
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Goalie to start.... Pope or Henderson?
      And up front start Greenwood or Jiménez?

      Cheers!

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

        Pope.

        Rob Greenwood but depends too on your third forward, midfield and possibly defenders.

    5. Cantonascollar7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should I free hit this team in week 36 or save for 38?

      Patricio
      Doherty TAA Azpi
      Fernandes KDB Bruno Martial Foden Mahrez
      Vardy Greenwood

      Jimi Aurier Kiko Martin

      My concerns are not having any Chelsea attack and worries about Sterling!

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

        Your current team is pretty good for GW38

        It shouldn't take too many transfers to improve it by then

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

      Pope
      AWB TAA Doc
      KDB Sterling Pulisic Bruno
      Vardy Jimmy Greenwood

      Martin Guen Kilman Simpson

      1FT

      Thoughts?

      Thanks guys.

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

      Still at a loss as to bringing in either Foden or Jesus. Thing with Foden is, he could be pretty much nailed to start both vs Bou and Wat if he’s benched in the FA cup. Then I am FHing gw38 where he will probably be benched. Can the same be said about Jesus? Perhaps unlikely to start Bou, Arse, Wat?

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

        I'd go Foden

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

      no chelsea- is Lascelles and Jim to Alonso and Giroud worth a hit? Or just do one of those?

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

        Wouldn't bother with Alonso for a hit. You may get a CS and that cancels it out

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

      who is captaining salah or mané ?
      I have the feeling arsenal is the perfect opposition for them to perform.
      Really tempted by mané (c)

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

        Tempted as a differential and because I feel I will fail in the pep roulette unless everyone performs

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

      Chasing 15pts in ML.
      Current frontline Vardy, Jimenez, Greenwood

      A. Vardy to Jesus
      B. Jimenez to Ings
      C. Go for it. Both moves for -4. Captain one of them.

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

      Foden or D.Silva if money is no issue? (Will Freehit in GW38 )

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

        DSilva

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

      Captain:

      KA)yDB
      B)runo
      JeC)us
      FoD)en

      1. FPL Bond @ Twitter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden- Well rested and guaranteed a start..

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

        C

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

        Should have listed FernA)ndes instead

      4. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Foden

    13. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      3 options
      1- FH this gw and go into gw38 without plans
      2- Go at least -4 this gw to bring some good assets
      3- Do nothing and wait for Pep to burn other's plans

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

        Depends on current team and ML status

        1. Shark Team
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Pope
          Doherty Saiss VVD TAA
          KDB Mane Pulisic Bruno Martial
          Rashford
          i appreciate your help what would you do out of 3 if u had this team

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

      Salah or Mane on free hit? Thinking Salah because of record against Arsenal but Mane more rested.

    15. CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      How does this FH look? Too much rotation risk?

      Kepa

      Alonso Doherty Digne

      Sterling Pulisic Foden Martial Fernandes

      Jesus Ings

      Subs: McCarthy, Greenwood Cresswell Kilman

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

        Not Kepa - chelsea def as bad as nor attack lol, alonso good upside though

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

          Thinking the same. Alonso on but Kepa useless imo. At least 50-50 to concede one.

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

            Alonso on*

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

              F... Alonso OK

    16. Mr. Mystic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Pope
      TAA Doherty Taylor (Aurier, Lasc)
      KDB Mane Bruno Martial Pulisic (c)
      Vardy Greenwood (Jimenez)

      What do you think?
      (A) Vardy -> Jesus/Ings
      (B) Vardy & Mane -> Jesus Silva (-4)?
      (C) FH and load up on Chels City etc.

    17. BBC_TF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1/ Martinez to Ederson (I have Sterling/KDB)
      or
      2/ Jack Robinson to Digne

      Thanks

    18. CrouchDown
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      On FH:

      (A) Jesus + Martial
      (B) Rashford + Willian

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

        I could be proved wrong but I don't think martial is as important on a FH this week as some of the other options. Martial is a home banker, his away form is mixed.

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

      This is my FH team. I'm pretty happy with the team but just thinking if 3.4 ITB can be used on any upgrades?

      DDG
      Azpi Digne Doherty
      Sterling (C) DSilva Pulisic Fernandes Antonio
      Ings Jesus
      McCarthy Greenwood Cresswell Pieters

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

        Looks great

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

          Cheers mate

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

      I see a lot of teams having Cancelo in. Is he likely to start? Doesn't seem much of a regular. Has Pep hinted he'll get minutes?

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

        Not interested. Too much rotation in defence and not that much potential. Three attacking players from City preferred.

    21. Daysleeper_
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Will Alonso start, what about KDB?

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

      Why expect Chelsea to have full strenght XI because UCL spots are so tight? (Even though there are cuo semis upcoming)

      Also any chance of FPLrockstar or someone else to give info before DL?

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

        Why expect > Are we expecting

    23. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Willian or Antonio(I have Puli)

    24. focaccia
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Thoughts on my FH team? Good to go?

      Ederson
      Maguire / Alderweireld / TAA
      Sterling / Willian / Silva / Pulisic / Martial
      Ings / Giroud

      Bench: Reina / Greenwood / Egan / Swiss

      Thanks in advance