Scout Notes

A return to form for Man United’s FPL assets or a papering over cracks?

Newcastle United 1-4 Manchester United

  • Goals: Luke Shaw (£4.9m) own goal | Harry Maguire (£5.4m), Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.4m), Marcus Rashford (£9.5m)
  • Assists: Juan Mata (£5.9m), Fernandes, Rashford x2
  • Bonus: Fernandes x3 Rashford x2 Karl Darlow (£5.0m) x1

Manchester United began the long climb back to credibility with a deserved, if not entirely convincing, win over Newcastle.

The game was a surprisingly entertaining affair considering visiting manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could have set up his side simply to avoid another 6-1 Spursageddon, while his opposite number, Steve Bruce, has ‘stay in the game and try and nick a goal’ spliced into his footballing DNA.

Even so, most of the goals came late, with the visitors only taking the lead in the 86th minute of a match they dominated in terms of attempts (28 v 7) while never completely negating Newcastle’s own attacking threat.

But the 4-1 victory did involve decent returns for all three of the winning side’s most popular Fantasy Premier League (FPL) assets and included more reminders that owning Red Devils defenders is, currently, a foolish enterprise.

Fernandes To The Fore

By far the most-owned FPL star on the pitch was Man United’s Bruno Fernandes (£10.5m), and his 21% ownership walked away with a tidy 11-point haul that could have been so much better.

The midfielder finished off a superb team move to make the score 2-1, finding the net from an acute angle courtesy of a Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) assist.

That made it three goals in as many Gameweeks for Fernandes, but he also missed his first penalty in England (at the 11th attempt) thanks to a save from the brilliant Karl Darlow (£5.0m) and was denied an earlier goal via VAR.

Some of that pain was offset by an assist for Rashford’s last-gasp goal and the maximum bonus award and his 31 points for the season, from just four matches, puts him in the top 10 for FPL midfielders. Of the United players, only Rashford comes close to such a lofty position, which underlines how vital Fernandes is to the side.

Even with Chelsea and Arsenal up next, more FPL managers are slowly coming round to buying him in – he’s currently just inside the top 15 for Gameweek 6 purchases – as he continues to show last year’s explosive entrance into English football was not a fluke.

Rashford Revival

.

Solskjaer made five changes from the side thrashed by Spurs, among them the benching of Paul Pogba (£7.9m) and Daniel James (£6.4m) being handed a rare start.

But the key decision involved who would replace Anthony Martial (£8.8m), suspended for three matches after his dismissal against Tottenham, up front.

One candidate, Mason Greenwood (£7.3m), didn’t even make the squad, an omission the manager explained post-match.

Mason wasn’t fit to play, so we had to leave him out. We hope he will recover quickly.

That meant Rashford, an FPL midfielder this season, stepped up. And he delivered.

A goal, two assists – he also set up Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s (£5.4m) first-ever senior strike – and two bonus points helped him to a double-digit haul enjoyed by just 5.8% of FPL bosses.

The fact that only two of his team-mates – Fernandes and Wan-Bissaka – are owned by more managers shows just how little Fantasy faith Solskjaer’s side is inspiring.

The team’s defensive frailties are plain to see, but so is their attacking intent – their 57 attempts this season is not far behind the likes of Everton (64) and Chelsea (65), only from four games, not five.

Cracks, Meet Paper

Wan-Bissaka’s surprise goal helped hand his owners a very welcome eight points, while Harry Maguire (£5.4m) ended a trying week or ten with the same haul thanks to his equaliser, from a Juan Mata (£5.9m) corner, in the first half.

Solskjaer made all the right post-match noises about Maguire’s character, while his Wan-Bissaka comments played up the full-back’s attacking threat.

It was a cross! No, he was due his goal. We wanted him higher up the pitch, making runs in behind. It was great for him.

But anyone seriously thinking of buying into United’s defence should think again.

The backline is currently shipping three goals a game on average and even managed to make Newcastle’s toothless attack look threatening.

The Magpies went into the match having had only eight shots on target across their first four games. They had four against Man United and it took a couple of great saves from David de Gea (£5.5m) to deny Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.3m) and then Callum Wilson (£6.5m).

Yes, the goal the visitors did concede – after just two minutes – was unlucky, Luke Shaw (£4.9m) deflecting an Emil Krafth (£4.4m) cross over de Gea and in.

But a side allowing 14 big chances this season – for context, Newcastle have conceded eight from a game more – clearly lacks balance, whatever Solskjaer might have claimed following Saturday’s win.

We have so many games coming up and you pick a team that you think is going to get a result in that game. You look at the opposition and you look at yourself and what is the best balance and I thought we found the right one today.

Darlow Blow

Fernandes and Rashford took most of the plaudits (and bonus), but the true hero on Tyneside was home keeper Darlow, who produced a string of fine saves as well as that penalty stop.

A single bonus award meant he limped off with eight points and a knock picked up following a clash with Rashford.

One clean sheet, a penalty save and 27 other stops this season – no keeper has made more – has taken him to the top of FPL’s scoring chart for goalkeepers.

But boss Bruce is not entirely sure he’ll be back for a Gameweek 6 trip to Wolves.

He’s taken a hell of a blow. We hope that he’s not too bad, but it’s one of those difficult ones to assess straight away. Until we see the scans and how he is, then we won’t really know, but it’s fair to say that he’s very sore.

Martin Dubravka (£4.9m) is possibly out until December with a heel issue, meaning Newcastle could be down to the bare bones in goal, with Mark Gillespie (£4.5m) the next in line for a start.

Not that any Magpies goalkeeper is likely to be the choice of many FPL managers – no team has allowed more shots (86) or attempts on target (36) than Bruce’s men.


Newcastle United XI (4-5-1): Darlow; Krafth, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lewis; Hayden (Schar 49′), Shelvey, Hendrick (Almiron 88′), Saint-Maximin, Joelinton (Fraser 73′); Wilson. 

Manchester United XI (4-3-3): de Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Fred (Pogba 69′), Mata (Matic 90′); Bruno Fernandes, James (van de Beek 76′), Rashford.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 5

2,166 Comments Post a Comment
  1. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sweet Martinez points!!

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

      9 pointer?

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        yes

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Might get 10

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barkley will get winning goal bonus so how?

    3. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Shame he stoped on 5 saves, could have been 11 points with a save more.

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        yes but lets not be greedy. .

        1. Railwayman
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          😀

  2. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Doherty owners, what you doing?

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Calling Samaritans

  3. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lookman essential?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Excuse me?

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Has he fallen to 3.5??

    3. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The man looked great today

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

    Paper over cracks. Man united were poor yesterday. Defensively once again they will be exposed over the next 3.

    1. HD7
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Because Chelsea and Arsenal have better defences... riiiight

  5. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish or Rodriguez?

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rodriguez

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        This

    2. Party time
        3 years, 5 months ago

        James Bond. Very easy!

      • Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        James

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yet another frustrating GW despite Son [C] only 48 pts with Jimenez Saiss Wood and Taylor ... will be red arrow again 🙁

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Same here, 50 with son (c) sterling, Bruno and dcl! Down at 3.2mil.
        Feels like I should just wc to the template team

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Wow, how come? I benched KDB, a mistake that I should traded him for Kane ...

          1. waltzingmatildas
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Antonio, soucek, TAA James, Mccarthy.
            Got Jimmy and ayling to come but not expecting much.

      2. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It’s just unlucky - another game week where 1 or 2 key players is a 20-40 point swing

        Just a lottery (and I say this as someone on 84 with Semedo left this week)

      3. stu92
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Very frustrating! Won my ML by about 300 points last year, 50 points off top already this year. Too many wild and unpredictable matches, and too many big players (KDB, TAA, etc) not hitting the heights. Been resistant to jump on bandwagons like DCL and Jhames also which is costing me.

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

      Any fellow Barkley owners here?

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

        I strongly considered it but sadly ‘played safe’ with Grealish

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Congrats ... pondering him or Grealish in next week together with Kane

    5. Lucky Z
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez
      Reguilon | PVA | Lamptey
      Son | Salah | JRod | Grealish | Pulisic
      Kane | DCL

      Forster | Chilwell | Mitchell | Brewster

      1FT, 0.5ITB

      Save? Or Mitchell => Targett?

      1. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Save

    6. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How did Grealish look?

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sharp

      2. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        involved but frustrating he doesn't shoot more or make decisions quicker! Defo keep tho !

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

          Thanks 🙂

      3. Party time
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Indecisive in the final third

          1. Railwayman
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Very true. Otherwise, he is involved in most Villa attacks.

      4. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        so Barnes owners who you replacing him with??

        1. Dosh
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Grealish, Barkley or Trossard

        2. Meinhoff
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Bale

        3. Pep Roulette
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Foden maybe

        4. jimmyabs1987
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Jamez

        5. tarantino2005
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          james or grealish

      5. CheesyZoot
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Brought Grealish in earlier this evening, glad he blanked tonight, surely hauling next week now right? 😉

      6. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Just need 15 from Dallas tomorrow for the ton.

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Will be a -2 after Jimi hattie and a yellow, sorry

      7. Naby K8a
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lampards 150 IQ yet loaned Barkley to a European place rival

      8. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Best move here? 3.3itb.

        A. Ings >> Kane
        B. Bissouma >> Grealish
        C. Davis >> Maupay
        D. Davies >> Chillwell

        McCarthy
        TAA, Mitchell, Saiss
        Pulisic, Salah, Rodríguez, Son, Biss
        DCL, Ings
        (Nyland, Davies, Mitchell, Davis)

        1. wulfrunian
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I would definitely keep Ings.B

      9. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Any chance of Semedo getting a 16 pointer tomorrow?

        1. CheesyZoot
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You never know

        2. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That would be so great!!

        3. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I would be happy with just 15.

      10. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Pleased with my moves this week. KdB & Vinagre > Son & Konsa. 17 points plus bonus 🙂

      11. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone fancy Foden as Barnes replacement?

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Barkley looks enticing with Villa form

          1. Pep Roulette
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            How about Barnes & Podence to Barkley & Foden for a hit?

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Not sold by Foden myself, City players in later GW9 or so I think

      12. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KdB out for me & willing to take a hit.

        McCarthy ¦
        TAA - Coady - Ward
        KdB* - Salah - Jorginho* - Son
        Kane - Maupay - Wilson*
        ¦ Bissouma - Justin* - Taylor

        A) Jorginho -> Mahrez + JRod
        B) Justin -> Fernandes + Reguilon
        C) Wilson -> Grealish + Aguero

        Which option seems best?

      13. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Mental to think Villa will be top of the league if they get a point from their game in hand

      14. King Kohli
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Which is the best move here?
        A. Sterling + Ings > Son + Kane
        B. Sterling + Ings > James + Kane
        C. TAA + Barnes + Ings > Dallas + James + Kane (-4)
        D. Any other suggestion

        Martinez
        TAA Robbo Castagne
        Salah Sterling Barnes Pereira
        Ings DCL Maupay
        Steer Anguissa Mitchell Johnson
        2 FT 0.1 ITB

      15. R.C
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Foden or Grealish?

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Grealish. More important for his team than Foden.

      16. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        So was Barnes awful?

        1. Z
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Awful is not ever right word 🙂

          1. Danno - Emre Canada
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Ha Time to offload then?

          2. Railwayman
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            True.

      17. Railwayman
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nice 12 or maaaybe 13 points from Martinez and Grealish. Grealish could have had something in this match, but tbh he was a bit indecisive and selfish at moments.

      18. jimmyabs1987
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Iv gained 1.2 million in rank, finally a good week!

        1. Chhana
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          1.4M here... before Spuds game around 2.2M

      19. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Quick vote whos the better pick next 4 or 5 games?

        A - Foden
        B - Barkley
        C - Pierra
        D - Zaha
        E - Trossard?

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

          Hard to ignore Villa’s fixtures

          All good options but I’d slightly favour B

        2. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Whos Pierra?

      20. David Brains - OH NO!
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        JRod-Son-Salah-Sterling-Fernandes
        DCL-Bamford-Wilson

        I’ve seen a few bringing him in but would you transfer out Sterling (with Wilson) to bring in Grealish and Kane this week?

      21. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        TAA owners keep?

        1. jimmyabs1987
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You can’t not vs SHU

      22. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I could say that -8 paid off this week.
        Sold Kdb, James and Mitro for Son, Chilwell and Wilson.
        3 potatoes vs 31 pts xD
        P. S. On the bench Lamptey, Anguissa and Mitchel.

      23. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A) Wilson & Davies -> Kane & Regulion/Ake
        Or
        B) Adams &Davies -> Kane & Konsa/Lamperty

        Mccarthy
        TAA - Justin - Davies - Douglas - Bernardo
        Salah - Son - Bruno - Podence - Bissuma
        DCL - Adams - Wilson

        1FT/4.7itb

      24. jason_ni
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A)Kdb -> Mane
        B)Barnes -> James Rodrigues
        C) sort out one of my 4.0's (Mitchell/Dunne)
        D)Wait

        Martinez
        Saiss - Coady - Lampty - Mitchell - Dunne
        Salah - Kdb - Barnes - Son - Foden
        Kane - DCL - Brewster

        Is there any clue on how long kdb will be out?