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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2,921 Comments Post a Comment
  1. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hits in last game bad idea correct?

    Ederson
    Digne, Stevens, Boly,
    Salah, D Silva, Fernandes, C Sterling, Martial,
    Ings, Kane

    Button, Greenwood, Lamptey, Taylor

    1.7

    Would you bench ?

    Ings play Greenwood

    Play Lamptey bench Boly or Stevens

    Take a hit for better defender?

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

      Looks good as is

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ta

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

      That team doesnt look like it needs a hit to me. Ya burnley defender would be nice but I wouldn't take a hit to get them in

      I'd play ings just over Greenwood. Hungry for golden boot

      I'm not sure on which def to bench

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That’s my problem, Lamptey vs Burnley, Ings vs Stevens, Boly vs Chelsea?

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

      Id start Taylor on the off chance he plays... waiting to hear on is progress in the presser

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

        starting taylor myself, a hit for a def for me means i gain just 2 appearance points from it should said def gain a CS but no baps or atk returns, so not worth it. 2/3 baps min if it is to be worthwhile
        Luck is required for that Pieters type haul

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

    Already have Silva and Sterlin, I'm chasing 20-30 points, should I:

    1. KDB (stick)
    2. Mahrez (twist)

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

      As per Taa last night, Kdb can haul at any point

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1

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

      1 but we will hopefully have early team news so you can twist if needed

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

    Fernandes and Jesus > Sterling (C) and Giroud? For -4? Shoudo help me block my ML rivals

  4. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Looking at this on a FH. Still have 1.3m ITB,

    Pope
    Aurier, Bardsley, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, Mahrez, Dilva, Antonio
    Auba, Ings

    Martin, Greenwood, Williams, Branthwaite

    Just worried about the obvious issues:

    1) 3x BUR defence
    2) no MUN
    3) no Kane

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’d go Kane over Auba and I think 3 Burnley def is too many eggs in one basket. Maybe Martínez in net and use extra as an upgrade

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah, was on 3-4-3 with Martinez and Kane/Auba/Ings up front

        Cheers.

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would Pope -> Martinez/McCarthy and Auba -> Kane

  5. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    15 points clear in money league, he has tc left.

    A) Alonso Jime to Pieters Kane -4 (he has double Burnley def)
    B) Alonso to anyone e.g. Robbo
    C) other

    Pope
    TAA AWB Alonso
    Salah KDB Sterling Bruno Dilva
    Greenwood Jime

    Nketiah Boly Lascelles

  6. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which for FT:
    A) Foden ➡ Dilva
    B) Vardy ➡ Auba
    C) Vardy ➡ Kane
    ..?

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      would honestly take a hit with A and C

  7. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Martinez
    Aurier pieters diop
    Salah kdb sterling(c) dilva bruno
    Kane ings

    Think like have to do some changes tell me ??

  8. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Chance of Mahrez and Laca starting?

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

      Surely mahrez does . Benched v bou, off early day cup, benched v wat. He gets Norwich I’m positive.

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

      very high , should have early team news though if you can be on twitter around deadline

  9. BOATIES FC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Vardy & Bruno >> Kane & Dilva - 4

    Yay or nay?

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

      Like it

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

    Need a sub 5.8 defender with a high points ceiling:

    A) Digne (BOU)
    B) Tarkowski (BHA)

    Already have Aurier

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Tark

      1. Lev Yashin
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Or Williams (MUN) if you want a cheaper/riskier punt

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  11. Cojiro
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    What are people doing with Liverpool? Concerned they're going to be on holiday after the presentation last night?

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Only have TAA and Salah, both looked very dangerous and will surely want to end on a win.

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

        Salah was terrible, Im probably keeping only because I have other issues to address, if I was free hitting I wouldnt have him

        1. antis0cial
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          He didn’t play well but had plenty of chances, through on goal twice, albeit he almost hit The corner flag when through for one of them

      2. El-Kloppico
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        LOL. Salah has been a waste of money and space in my team.
        Rage swapped for Sterling yesterday. So sloppy!

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

      Yeah, this is what I'm thinking. Keep TAA and get rid of Mane or Salah if on FH

  12. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How do I get sterling? I have a front 8 of: Mane, KDB, Beuno, Antonio, Pulisic, Jesus, Ings, Greenwood.
    Which move is best for a -4?
    - Pulisic and Bruno to Sterling and Soucek
    - Bruno and Doherty to Steling and Branthwaite

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not sure if the hit and losing these players is worth it, probably just get D.Silva for free instead.

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        I want to TC Sterling, though.

    2. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A or straight swap for Mané. In a I’d go Burnley def.

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ok, I don’t have cash for Burnley defender! Already have 2

  13. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Which option?

    A) Foden to Dilva for -4
    B) Bruno to Dilva for free

    Also have Martial, Greenwood and kdb

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

      B

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

      B easily

      Foden I suspect gets on in minute 60 or so. Don’t see the prime City players finishing the game

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

        Then have to choose who to play from Foden and Jimmy.

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

          Tricky - not nearly so clear then

          Ditched Jim for Kane. Think I’d play Jim

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

            Cheers!

    3. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A.
      Foden will get a cameo at most imo.
      Bruno can still brings points from set pieces

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

      B

  14. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Been leading my ML till yesterday..
    All my points dissolved like salt in water in a GW. and now I'm trailing by 20+ pts. Did Pulisic to Silva for -4pt, sums up everything. Salah sloppy, Vardy also.
    On the other hand, ML rival had Antonio, only for Noble to step out and allow him the penalty. He swapped Vardy for Kane, and Kane got a brace. He's got Pulisic & Willian, who I thought would flop..I got Saka who I thought would enjoy against AVL, only for him to be subbed on the 59min.

  15. Whiskerz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    FH draft

    Pope
    Aurier . Laporte . Pieters
    Salah. Sterling. Son. Dilva
    Kane . Auba. Greenwood

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

      Laporte not even close to be guaranteed to start for you

    1. Lev Yashin
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Of course.

  16. Lev Yashin
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    My work here is dumb.....GTG?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Bardsley, Pieters
    Salah, Sterling, Mahrez, Dilva, Antonio
    Kane, Ings

    Martin, Greenwood, Williams, Branthwaite

    0.2 ITB

  17. screamer73
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Need help, guys. Pick one.
    A Vardy
    B Kane (-4)

  18. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    would you lose KDB and Jesus to get Dilva and Raz for a hit Y/N?

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

      Yes

  19. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How’s my FH?

    Pope
    Trent Stephens Pieters
    Salah Martial Antonio Sterling Dilva
    Ings Kane
    (Button. Greenwood, Brandon Williams, Lamptey)

    Captain Raheem.

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

      Looks good

      1. J to the T
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Pope
    TAA Doherty Masina
    Salah Martial Fernandes Mahrez Pulisic
    Greenwood Auba

    1 FT 1.3 ITB.
    A) Auba > Kane
    B) Salah > Sterling
    C) Mahrez > Dilva

    -4?

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

      D) Bruno > Dilva

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

      D) Bruno > Dilva

  21. Roysgotnoboys
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Bruno & Jesus to
    Sterling & Giroud For -4?

    (Bench Giroud, played Greenwood and captain sterling to maintain ML)

  22. Garra_13
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Sterling Salah & Dsilva or Sterling DSilva & Kane?

  23. NASIR
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    the last paragraph on fosu mensah was harsh man

  24. PepSala
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    If you believed your overall team was stronger than your ML rival's, but he had sterling(c) locked in as his differential, would you take a -8 hit to bring sterling(c) in. I would still be going into the week with an 8 pt lead.