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. AlpoShearer
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA-Doherty-Stevens
    Salah-KDB-Ferdandes-Foden
    Rashford-Greenwood-Vardy

    Henderson Boly-El Ghazi-Lascelles

    2FT and ITB 2,4m£

    Which one?
    A. Vardy, Foden and Doherty to Ings, Sterling and Pieters -4
    B.Vardy, El Ghazi and Rasford to Ings DSilva and Kane -4, bench Foden
    C. Something else

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

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

    How's this look for a FH team?

    Pope
    TAA Aurier Pieters
    Salah Sterling Dilva Bruno
    Kane Ings Greenwood

    Button Gilmour Simpson Watts

    Not sure about Bruno but not sure who to change him to - Pulisic? Antonio? And then what to do with the cash that would free up?

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

      I think bruno is worth keeping. Would damage your rank if he hauled, and with set pieces there's always a chance of points

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

        Thanks, sounds sensible - poss being a bit rash in thinking of getting rid

    2. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Could just do Martial instead and make Pieters Tark?

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

        I'm not sure that would free up enough cash for that, but I probably rate Martial less as a pick given their respective away records anyway. Something like that could work though cos getting Tark in could be beneficial

  3. Can’t beat em so&hell…
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Fabianski
    TAA/ Bardsley/ Laporte (Aurier)
    KDB/ Mane/ Martial/ Bruno/ Foden
    Kane/ Jimmy (Greenwood)

    0.1

    A) Jimmy —> Ings
    B) Bruno —> Antonio
    C) KDB + Jimmy —> Dilva + Auba (-4)
    D) something else

    I’m chasing. Thanks all!!!

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

      C

  4. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How this FH looks like lads? 1.5 ItB

    Martinez
    Van Dijk-Pieters-Bardsley
    Mane-Pepe-Sterling(C)-Mahrez-Dilva
    Kane-Greenwood

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

      Pepe???

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

      Swap Pepe for Son/Pulisic

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

    A. Fernandes, Jesus to Sterling (C), wood for free
    B. Foden, Fernandes, Jesus to Sterling.(C), Dilva, Ayew for -4

    Ayew would be benched.

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

    KDB = four goals in ten games since the re-start and three of them have been penalties. If he had given those penalty kicks away like he did against Watford he'd have accrued the princely sum of one goal and four assists in those ten games. That's bordering on pish for 10.7m so don't even consider putting him in your FH team folks.

    1. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Been disappointing results wise, but arguably the best player in Premier league.

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

        Not even debatable IMO, definitely best.

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

      Yeah, I watched the games and he can barely play a pass.
      I don't understand why they don't sell him, Chelsea had the right idea.

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

      I'm talking fantasy folks, not real life! 😯

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

      But he did, though. And what if he's taken the ones he gave away, even more points?

      He has scored what he has scored, not your theoretical score, that you are theoretically pushing as a terrible one.

      Or are you doing one of those utterly hilarious FFS in-jokes?

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

        These 'jokes' don't work without vocal inflections and body language! It's just flat words on a flat page.

        Someone tell Brosstan too, ASAP

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

        So you reckon he'll be back on penalties on Sunday?

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

          I don't know, you didn't ask that question. Unless that was what you were getting at in a roundabout way.

          I doubt it, given what Sterling (entitledly) said

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

            I don't think you understand what I'm saying; without penalties he has very limited appeal. He's been the king of assisting the assister recently but that doesn't cut the mustard - in fantasy terms.

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

              I think I do Oscar. Don't worry.

              You're saying he's a penalty warrior, I beg to differ.

              Each to their own but please don't condescend me.

    5. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      But Norwich

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

      FK will be dilva's
      PK will be sterling's

      He may get some assists... It's kdb after all... but many options available elsewhere

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

        PK may be Silva's also

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

          Don't think so, sterling is still after golden boot

  7. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling raising in price tonight?
    I see its around 80 percent

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Unlikley

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

    My team GW38. 16pts behind 1st place.
    Martinez
    Doherty
    Taylor (inj?)
    Tarkowski
    Pulisic
    Willian
    KDB
    Foden
    Bruno
    Rashford
    Ings

    Bench: De Gea, Lundstram, Saiss, Jiménez.

    A) Should I swap Bruno for Sterling but no hit.

    B) Bruno, Rashford, Doherty out for Sterling, Pieters, Kane/Aubameyang-8pt hit

    Or

    B)

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

    FH

    Ings or Antonio?

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

    Any chance Button plays last game for Brighton?

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

      Haha no

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

      Noooo

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

    Mane and Greenwood or Salah and Nketiah?

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      MG

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

    Probably my best week in a long time. Played the BB and lucky to get 102 and close massive gap on ml leader. Hopefully set my fh team up and win the thing!

    Anyone else had a good week?

    1. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Well to start with I gave Dilva my armband.....

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

        Keep it on him for 38!

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

      Got 35 from my bench boost....95 total with Fern cap fail...so not bad. 81 pts above my nearest ML rival before 38+ so pretty relaxed.

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

        35 on bench! Shiiiiit!

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

          wowsers...whos on it

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

        Not strictly true, you'd never have had that bench if you weren't playing it.

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

          Not checked it, I don't go that far, but if it's disingenuous then well called

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

          Yeah...I was pumping up that bench for a few gameweeks...got a bit lucky with the Dubravka CS and Pulisic pts but happy for a good BB. I think most of my other chips this season have cost me points.

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

        Well done

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

      Yeah got 96 here but first half of my season sucked so I'm still losing the minileague.

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

    What would you rather?

    Bruno,DSilva,4.5 defender
    KDB,Foden,4.5defender
    Kane,5.7 defender

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

      KDB, Foden, (burnley def)

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

    A) Salah and Robbo
    B) Mane and Trent

    Thanks guys

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

      1st one for me by a hair

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Why not Salah and Trent ?

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

    Will Saka start v Watford? Need a differential

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

      I need also to know

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

      Too risky. Can start, can be benched. Can play just 59 mins or like 12 mins.

      Look elsewhere.

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

    People overlooking Vardy in their FH, playing for the boot and CL, looks sharp and will score against UTD.

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

      Bad service behind him.

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

      Don't disagree, but Kane and Auba better options

  17. Ohh1454
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Could bellerin be huge differential?

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

      No

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Nope

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

    Pope Martin
    TAA Doherty Boly C.Taylor Lascelles
    Salah Kdb Son Bruno Guendouzi
    Rashford Greenwood Ings

    2FT 1.8 ITB

    Really want Sterling and feel he’s essential this week so planning Bruno to Sterling and Doherty to Pieters for free. Sound good?

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

  19. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sorry if I'm battering this to death but do FH transfers impact price changes or are they "wildcard" transfers?

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

      'Wildcard' once the chip is activated.

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Sorry bud your missing the question

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

          I'm not.

          Afaik, they don't count towards prices changes, just like a Wildcard.

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

      I don't think they affect them

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

    I gotta punt to win my ML. Im only third and im 4k OR ffs. Hope Dilva takes pks on his last pl game.

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

      Not if he takes one like Sterling or Ings.

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

    Is Greenwood on the bench for 38 a good option?

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

      Yes

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

    Surely it isn’t a formality sterling starts v city?!

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

      V Norwich

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

        Came off against Watford on the 60th minute mark so think he will start but who knows! It’s pep after all.

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

          Still chasing golden boot. High chance of starting, my captain at the moment

          1. Volley127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            4 goals to tie Vardy if he doesn't score. Not really realistically surely, but Sterling likely to start anyway I’d guess. Good choice of captaincy still I think.

  23. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which pair to complete my FH team?

    Martinez
    TAA Robbo Aurier
    Sterling Dilva Bruno XXXX XXXX
    Kane Greenwood
    (Button Nketiah Williams 3.9)

    A. Mahrez + Mane
    B. KDB + 10.2 mid in 3-5-2/fwd in 3-4-3 (not from City)

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

      B

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers! Which mid/fwd would you get with KDB?

    2. Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

      What s your TV?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        105.7

        Was up to 106.2 before I made some of the changes already.

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

      Mahrez & Aubamayang ?

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Appreciate the suggestion, but I'm not too impressed by Auba myself, I would rather have Mane against a beaten-up Newcastle defence if I drop KDB.

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

          I feel Aubamayang goes big breaking on Watford ... good luck anyway pal

  24. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Who makes the FH XI? Top 2k. Chasing one ML:

    A) Antonio
    B) Pulisic

    In advance, thank you!

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

      Pulisic.

      West Ham are safe, they might play slower and even Antonio get an early rest.

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

        Cheers mate.

  25. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Son to D Silva?

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

      Done it.

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

      I have both but 3x City should be the target for this week.
      I would rather lose a Man U mid though.

  26. Jòse
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How likely is Jesus to start?

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

      Very

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

      Very , should know before deadline thought hopefully... ill be retweeting it out If I get it , im kind of banking on it

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

    Sorry last time I ask this but salah or mane?

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

      Salah

  28. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Guys, should i sell bruno or rash?

    Sell rash for auba or kane?
    Sell bruno for mahrez?

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

      A Kane

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

    Who would you sell?

    A. Bruno
    B. Pulisic

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

      Bruno on current form but ideally neither... they are both capable of hauls and will be playing out of their skins on Sunday

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

    I have KDB and Sterling... if early team news confirm they are starting I dont see any reason to sell KDB right ? I dont think theres a city mid I would rather have ... or would you bring in Silva or Mahrez....

    for this assume you know the lineup before deadline... as I think I will

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

      Considering going without KDB myself

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

        who are you replacing him with ? another mid? ...... or using his value to get in a kane or Aubamayang?

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I think I'm gonna hold out for early team news as well before deciding KDB's fate - if he's starting I'd be too chicken to lose him

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

        I feel its an unnecesary transfer if hes starting , hes getting slated but I feel he has been unlucky not to have more points... + I have defensive issues id like to address

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

          He's the best football player in the league so he can explode whenever he likes as well