Scout Notes

What to do with Man United’s FPL assets after laboured West Ham draw

Man United 1-1 West Ham

  • Goals: Mason Greenwood (£4.8m) | Michail Antonio (£7.1m)
  • Assists: Anthony Martial (£8.5m) | Declan Rice (£4.7m)
  • Bonus Points: Greenwood x3, Antonio x2, Rice x1, Mark Noble x1 (£4.9m)

Fantasy managers wielding the all-powerful Free Hit chip in Gameweek 38+ may have an easier time shedding their Manchester United players after Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The Red Devils are set for a crucial Champions League clash at Leicester on the last day of the season, where they will face an injury-hit backline. Such a fixture had largely kept a number of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in consideration for Gameweek 38+ squads, but two below-par performances, first in the FA Cup and then against West Ham, could reduce reliance on them for Sunday’s showdown.

In light of Wednesday’s tired display, the 30% ownership of Bruno Fernandes (£9.1m) may well be eyeing up midfield options at Manchester City or the funds to sign Harry Kane (£10.9m) this weekend. The Portuguese international put on one of his most anonymous performances since arriving in Manchester and, despite coming into Gameweek 37+ as the top 10k’s most popular captain choice, never really looked like getting an attacking return.

It is clear Fernandes is starting to suffer from Manchester United’s lack of rotation over the Project Restart period, his outing against West Ham showing just how exhausted he is physically and mentally. The evening could have gone differently for the former Sporting man as Marcus Rashford (£8.9m) curled an excellent ball into the box to match his early advanced run. However, just yards away from the West Ham goal he failed to control the inch-perfect pass and, from then on, it was all down hill for him. In the end, Fernandes’ frustrations boiled over in the second half when he was booked for going forehead-to-forehead with Arthur Masuaku (£4.1m). 

Was that enough to warrant selling him for Gameweek 38+ though? Looking at his 106 points in 13 Premier League matches for Manchester United, we know Fernandes is capable of delivering, especially on the road. In away matches since the Premier League restart, Fernandes has averaged 11 points per game and let’s not forget he hit the post at Crystal Palace too, so that total could have been even higher. Either way, his owners will need significant improvement from him at Leicester if he is to hold his own in a Gameweek 38+ squad.

The same could arguably be said for owners of Anthony Martial (£8.5m), although to slightly less of an extent considering a moment of nice link-up with Mason Greenwood (£4.8m) for the equaliser. Apart from that, the Frenchman was industrious if unspectacular with his efforts on goal but never really looked like scoring. Not only could he have provided more penetrative runs, Martial certainly suffered from the lack of creativity behind him. If United were to put on a similarly fatigued performance at the King Power Stadium, that would surely affect Martial as well.

His case for Gameweek 38+ is not particularly mitigated in the same way as Fernandes, considering he has been less profitable on the road recently. Despite averaging 13.3 points per game at Old Trafford since the Premier League return, but has scored just 4.8 per match away from it.

Rashford has a similar issue ahead of travelling to Leicester on the final weekend. He may have notched a 12-point haul at Crystal Palace but the FPL forward has blanked in every other away match since Gameweek 30+. Typically more reliable at Old Trafford, Rashford was the shadow of his usual energetic self against West Ham, another asset seemingly suffering from physical and mental exhaustion.

He tested Lukasz Fabianski (£4.9m) with an excellent speculative knuckle-ball strike from distance early on, but outside of that could not trouble the goalkeeper and lacked his usual creativity in advanced areas too. Is that enough to warrant transferring him out to make room for some of the more in-demand Gameweek 38+ forward such as Kane or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£10.9m)? Perhaps.

As already mentioned, United do look as if they are limping over the Premier League line this season, but the biggest problem against West Ham was the lack of any creative spark, usually stemming from Fernandes and Paul Pogba (£8.3m). Neither one of them impressed at all on Wednesday evening, the latter especially. Not only did he have little to no impact going forward, he lost possession in the middle of the pitch often and it was his mindless lift of the hands towards Declan Rice’s (£4.7m) shot that conceded the penalty that cost United the win.

That goal afforded West Ham the confidence to press their illustrious hosts in all areas of the pitch, ask questions going forward and have the opposite impact on United’s attack. Therefore, it almost goes without saying that Fantasy managers will have a dilemma over Manchester United attacking assets over the next few days. In order for them to appeal to their owners against Leicester, they will have to make improvements in the coming days, even if the Foxes have defensive issues of their own.

Owners of Michail Antonio (£7.1m) are probably experiencing the opposite reaction to the United attackers. Aston Villa’s defensive showing against Arsenal had initially sowed seeds of doubt among the Fantasy community, but his latest display showed once again just how good his form is.

Not only did he cause Manchester United plenty of problems, helping the Hammers achieve a higher expected goals (xG) than their hosts, Antonio appears to have wrestled penalties away from Mark Noble (£4.9m) as it was the out-of-position midfielder who netted the first-half spot-kick. That goal took his total since the restart to eight, making him even harder to ditch for Aston Villa’s visit to the London Stadium.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) are likely to be in two minds ahead of Gameweek 38+. While he missed out on a start for the first time since the restart, the right-back does not look particularly under threat from the man who replaced him in the XI initially. Timothy Fosu-Mensah (£4.5m) began the game in Wan-Bissaka’s place, but was ineffectual in the final third, and gave away the free-kick which led to the penalty. No wonder he went three years without playing for United and got relegated with Fulham last season.

Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; B Williams, Maguire, Lindelöf, Fosu-Mensah (Wan-Bissaka 46’); Matić, Pogba; Rashford (Ighalo 85’), B Fernandes, Greenwood; Martial.

West Ham United XI (4-5-1): Fabianski; Cresswell (Masuaku 75’), Ogbonna, Diop, Johnson; Fornals, Rice, Noble, Soucek, Bowen (Yarmolenko 90+1’); Antonio (Haller 78’).

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 37+

2,921 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Robbo and Bardsley (double Burnley) Or Van Dijk and Aurier?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1st

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

      The Scots.

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1st

  2. AYLD28
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on these moves?

    Pope
    Tarkowski Digne TAA
    Salah KDB Pulisic Sterling Fernandes
    Greenwood Jesus

    1FT 0.1 ITB

    Fernandes + Jesus > D.Silva + Kane (-4)

    I am chasing my mini league opponent by 7 points now so I’m wary to take a hit.

    Alternatively, is the 1 FT that looks worth taking?

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I wouldn't take a hit. Jesus to Ings?

      1. AYLD28
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Perhaps, he does have Ings and he plays Sheffield United.

        He has Jesus too so just replacing one player he has for another

      2. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fernades to DSilva only, feel on his last game for city he will haul, also Jesus will get minutes either start and comes off or comes on for last 30, against norwich you feel he must have real chance to score good points also..

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

    Bottomed

    Ederson (3.9)
    TAA Doherty Saiss (C.Taylor*, Ngakia*)
    Martial Bruno Salah Sterling Pulisic
    Greenwood Ings (Connolly)

    After a great week I’ve cut my gap to 1st and 2nd to 18 and 8 points respectively. 1st place has FH. Would you do any of these?

    A) Martial to Mahrez
    B) Pulisic to Mahrez
    C) A or B + Saiss to Aurier -4

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Most likely way of closing 18 points is a differential captain. So get a big hitter (s)he isnt likely to have and stick the armband on. Mane maybe

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      No way C.
      I agree it is about captaining

  4. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Amount of people selling KDB...

    Could really end in tears

    1. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Agreed. Sterling, Dilva and KDB isn't too much City

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        agreed, could easily score 5 or 6 against norwich at home and those 3 will be amongst the goals and assists.

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

      The joint highest scoring player in FPL at home to the bottom team who are already relegated and have conceded 18 since the restart?
      I think you may have a point.

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I’m scared not having KDB this week any my main rival has him and is the big hitter I don’t have

    What should I do.. get him?

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

      Are you above or below him?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Above.

        1. seanie3
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          how many points clear of him are you, do you have Dsilva or sterling as need one of those

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

    A) TAA + Jesus
    B) Robbo + Auba

    Tough choice!

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1st one just. However not sure about Jesus starting on Sunday. That would be my only worry!

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    3. LE CHARO
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    Pope
    TAA Bardsley Pieters
    Sterling(c) KDB Bruno Dsilva
    Kane Auba Ings

    On FH, ITB 1.0

    Any suggestions??
    Thanks

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Captain Dilva. Only player guaranteed to play 80+ minutes in the city match.

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

        I think someone here says that he has a chance to be subbed off in 21th minute.
        Slim but still a chance. My vc btw

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          No point with no fans

        2. No Kane No Gain
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He’d be fuming getting just 21 mins in his last home game, after a rest lol

  8. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Does anyone think WBA can stay up next season? I personally don't

    And who do you think will win the play-offs?

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

      Because they'll play more like Burnley than Norwich, they'll have a good chance.

      Hopefully Brentford if they can regroup.

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

        You haven’t seen much West Brom recently if you think they’ll play like Burnley. Completely different side to Burnley or what they were under Pulis

        1. Jonny HOW SON?
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah from what I've seen, they don't have a very good defense

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

      No personally. They were really lucky that there was no Sheff Utd / Leeds like last season.

      Brentford undoubtedly the best team but maybe Fulham

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      straight back down

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

      Probably relegated will certainly be in the fight. Matheus Pereira is class and Billic is a decent manager. Defensively and GK big problems they’ll need to sign improvements there to have a chance

    5. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A Swansea - Cardiff final would be fun

  9. Ron_Swanson
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Jimenez or Greenwood this week?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Greenwood

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      See below.

    3. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimenez, on Pens and the Chelsea defence can wobble

  10. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I have Patricio and Doherty .... keep or sell... iv 2 free transfers ....

    other defenders are Button Trent Egan Taylor Lascelles....

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Patricio to Pope or Doherty to Burnley defender of your choice or both if you have nothing else you want to use that second FT on.

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        this or doherty to robertson

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Doherty is probably one of my transfers out this week so I can upgrade the midfield

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

      Wouldn’t waste FT on defence now

      1. seanie3
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        depends as TAA and Robertson could easily get double figures against newcastle.

        1. @fpl_phenom
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Considering:

          Robbo in for Doherty ... ,

          Ederson in for Patrico

          and hope Taylor is fit to start ahead of egan ...

          1. seanie3
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            looks good defo do those as ederson guaranteed 6 pointer and robbo should do well.

    4. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Patricia and swap Doc. Like the person above says, do spend them both on defence

    5. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      This is the team.... Taylor being passed fit would be a huge help so I could bench Egan!! the front 7 I think are good to go barring early team news suggesting I have a benched player....

      ----------------Patricio---------------
      --------Trent Egan Doherty--------
      Salah Sterling KDB Bruno martial
      ---------Ings---------Greenwood---

      --------------------------------------------
      Button Taylor Lascelles Connolly

      2 free transfers .... £1.9M ITB

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Bruno -> Dilva. And then maybe Patricio to someone?

  11. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Not on free hit.
    Pope
    Tark Trent Doc
    Son Sterling Pulisic Bruno Martial
    Greenwood Ings

    Jimmy Kiko

    Good to go?

    1. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I'd probably start Jimmy over Martial, Chelsea defense is terrible

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Surely start Martial over Greenwood tho?

  12. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah or Mane for the final day? What does everyone think?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

    3. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah

    4. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Salah if you're leading, Mane if you're chasing. Or neither!

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

    soooo, chasing:

    1. Aurier KDB
    2. Robertson Mahrez
    3. Aurier Mahrez

    cheers guys

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

  14. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A KDB to Sterling

    B Jesus to Wood and Martial to Sterling

    1. Jayv807
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

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

      B, for a hit?

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

        Would you do B for free?

        1. Werner Bremen
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          For free

      2. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Nope

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

      B

    4. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    5. Puncheon Guly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B for free, probably not a hit. Wouldn't be getting rid of KDB

  15. Jayv807
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Based on LiveFPL, I'll be at 9,933 OR when the GW is finalised.

    No FH, any suggestions for the best use of my FT to try to stay inside the top 10k? 0 ITB

    Henderson
    TAA, Bardsley, Aurier
    Salah, KDB, Mahrez, Bruno, Martial
    Jesus, Ings

    Martinez, Doherty, Egan

    Martial to Antonio maybe?

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

      I'm in a very similar position.

      I think plan A has to be to wait until very close to 3pm on Sunday, if any of your big hitters isn't starting (especially Jesus, mahrez, or KdB), bring someone good who is (eg a sterling, puli, Kane type).

      1. Jayv807
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks mate

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

          of my specific suggestions i realise that neither sterling nor Kane is likely to be affordable with 0ITB, but you get my drift.

  16. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sticking to my guns with Dilva captain, good luck on the final week everyone!

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      you will change by Sunday

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Why?

  17. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    DCL telling the interviewer to put him in his free hit team.

  18. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Play which 2 out of 3 for GW38+?

    Jimenez
    Greenwood
    Foden

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

      The forwards

      1. Rider on the Storm
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

  19. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Foden, Fernandes, Jesus to Dilva, Sterling (C), Ayew

    Ayew will be bench fodder

    Rest of attack: KDB, Salah, Pulisic, Greenwood and Vardy

  20. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys. Just a quick one. Would you prefer Salah and VVD or Mane and Robbo?

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

      A

  21. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Auba or not to Auba.

    Which looks like the one please?

    a)
    Martinez
    Diop-Bardsley-Piters
    Salah-Sterling-Dilva-Mahrez
    Ings-Auba-Kane.

    b)
    Martinez
    Diop-Bardsley-Piters
    Salah-Sterling-Dilva-KDB-Martial
    Ings-Kane.

    c)
    Martinez
    Piters-Aurier-Digne
    Salah-Sterling-Dilva-Marez-Martial
    Ings-Kane.

    1. Will J 256
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B personally however people may disagree with that!

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        thanks mate

  22. MrZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    The case with ben foster :
    2-3 points vs easy opponents (where i start him)
    9 point vs MCI (rotten in my bench)

  23. Rider on the Storm
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best triple captain?

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

      Sterling probably

  24. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    People selling KDB... incredible...

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

      Yeah, I can see him haul on sunday.

    2. Rider on the Storm
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I just sold kdb to tc sterling

  25. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Salah was bloody dreadful tonight... should I ditch him and get in Kane ?

    what moves would you make ... drop my wolves players? .... not sure this week

    ----------------Patricio---------------
    --------Trent Egan Doherty--------
    Salah Sterling KDB Bruno martial
    ---------Ings---------Greenwood---

    --------------------------------------------
    Button Taylor Lascelles Connolly

    2 free transfers .... £1.9M ITB

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

      He’s surely due????

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        hes so desperate for a goal though its really effecting how he is playing , could have had a hat trick of assists tonight, very frustrating to own...

        I guess just change Patricio and egan , captain Sterling and save....

    2. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Ideas? Doherty to VVD? Pat to Pope? Bruno/Martial to Dilva?

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

    Hows this FH draft:

    martinez
    bardsley pieters kwp
    salah mane sterling dilva mahrez
    kane ings

    ..and bunch of non-league physios on the bench

    cheers

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

    Williams(ManUtd) or Branthwaite?

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

      Branthwaite but both probably blank.

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

      To play? Williams better attacking potential but a tougher fixture. I’ll have him on my FH38 bench

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

        Williams hardly got forward tonight, you should factor in, and also looked uncomfortable on his foot a couple of times.

        Plus, if Shaw is fit he'll very likely come straight back in (though I may have missed it if Shaw is already ruled out, don't know).

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

      cheers both.I will start Taylor(injured),with first sub Fredericks(injured)and i am selling Boly to find money for DSilva.

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

    Dilva looks like he’s rising tonight and Sterling looks like he’s not, so worth temporarily moving Sterling to Dilva on a FH?

    Boring I know but that 0.1 might come in handy as I decide on my FH38 team.

    I’m keeping Sterling (so I’d bring back in place of someone) but gives me the option of getting Dilva too

  29. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who to sell...

    A) Bruno
    B) Martial
    C) Pulisic

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Martial from those

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

      B

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

    Does Saka start v Watford? Need a differential