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. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Targett is a gem for me.16 points in 3 games.

    1. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which villa Def would you swap Babies for (5.9 ITB)?

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Babies lol. Bavies. Ben. Davies.

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

        Targett

  2. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Get DCL in now? Is there another price rise before the weekend? I think I may have missed the bus...

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

      You are late, but get him ASAP.

      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        In for Wood methinks

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Worth doing I think

    2. FeverPitch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Get him in

    3. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks to be this years postman with the upside of occasional hauls

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

    If Joel Ward had a brain I would be sat at 80 points and possibly century this game week with Saiss and Jimmy tomorrow..

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

    Watkins will get chances with that midfield behind him. Solid punt at 6.0

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      But he didn't play very well today did he? Looking at those fixtures though I still want him

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

      Yes, but we have DCL and Kane snd only one extra slot.

  5. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    88 with Ayling to go... Think I’ve gone from 2.8million to 1 million rank.

    Time to kick on...

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Alright for some

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      77 with 3 to play

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

    Mitchell and Castagne... ouch
    but I guess a lot of us have Mitchell and Leicester defender

  7. Klip Klopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Time to wc right? Falling to 19th in my league

    McCarthy / Nyland
    KWP / TAA / Taylor / Mitchell / Justin
    Salah / Son / KDB / Klich / Soucek
    Ings / DCL / Davis

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

      Hold for as long as you can

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

      Well... I would keep only 3 players, so perhaps.

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Build your ideal team. If it's 10 or more players different from your actual, then I'd consider it.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        For me, I'd only want Salah, Son, DCL. That's it. So yeah, I'd WC.

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

      It's time. I'm on the same boat mate.. Need to react quickly.. this gw massive failure.

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

    Thoughts??

    This week= Wood and VVD ➡️ Cahill (4.5) and Kun -4.
    Following week Maupay ➡️ DCL.

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I like Cahill a lot. Getting him in for Reece James

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

        Yeah he’s a great pick at that price too

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

    0 minutes for PVA. I reckon he won't start the next game either, but a late cameo

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

      I'd say so also

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

    Play one

    A) Dallas (avl)
    B) Chilwell (mun)
    C) Mitchell (ful)

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

      C

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

        B, sorry

  11. 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??

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Dynamic
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B or C.

      Probs B.

  12. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Got rid of Werner and Adams was shitting it last night, but ended up on 80 points, from rags to riches.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who was the replacements?

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

        Kane and Maupa. But led to Kane captain over Salah.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Well played

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

            cheers

            1. Riverside Red
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Are you getting Werner back?

  13. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best move of these please? Feel 442 isn't the way to go..

    A Wilson to Kane (play Justin in a 442)
    B Vassilev to Kane, TAA to 6m defender -4 (bench Justin)
    C Bissouma to Rodriguez (bench Justin, no Kane)

  14. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Painful watch that as a guaita owner who almost went for Martinez on WC, time to switch? Though both have easy run of fixtures

    1. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Same here...I'm sticking with Guaita for next few weeks.

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

      The same here but I don’t have any of Villa’s defs.
      It is easier to downgrade Guaita to Martinez than to upgrade Mitchel to Targett.
      Probably will get Martinez and switch Mitchel to Ferguson when fit. Cry is very bad at back despite their good fixtures.

      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is Targett Villa's most attacking defender?

  15. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    82 with Saiss to go. Feel like Ole with the season starting now. West Ham fan too 😀

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

      I hope that Saiss can finally score a goal 😀

  16. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Get 2 out of the following 3 this gw?

    A. Grealish
    B. Kane
    C. Rodriguez

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely Kane.

      The other two is tough. Honestly think that's a coin flip.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      BC

  17. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What wold you do ?

    A : Save FT
    B : Mccarthy > Martinez
    C : Justin > Targett/Saiss
    D : Chilwell > Semedo
    E : Podence > Trossard
    F : other suggestions

    Mccarthy ( Button )

    TAA - Reguilon - Chilwell ( Justin, Mitchell )

    Salah - Sterling - Son - Podence ( Bissouma )

    DCL - Jimenez - Mitrovic

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Only transfer I like is B but not worth using a FT

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

      D is stupid idea imo, forget it

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

      Save

  18. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence and Jimenez to Rodriguez and Kane - 4? It would leave 0.6itb

    Or hit the WC and change these players*

    5.2itb 1ft
    McCarthy*
    Robbo TAA* Taylor* Ayling
    Grealish Salah Son Podence*
    DCL Jimenez*
    (Peacock* Bissouma Justin Vassilev*)

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

      Maybe -4 now and wait. Either or both Robbo and TAA might haul this week. Short term benefits are too low because cs is a possibility.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. I would like to hold TAA and Robbo for the next two but McCarthy is annoying me and I want to bring in Martinez

  19. 824545201
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How to spend my 2 FT's:

    A) Mahres + Barnes to Son, Barkley

    B) Mahres + TAA to Son, 6.7m def

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Vvd to Pool def?
    Thinking to get Robbo, but is there a danger of rotation because of a midweek game?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No danger of rotation. Danger of being crap because no VvD.

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

        That is my second issue xD
        But he can get some attacking points also. Who are you looking to get for VVD if you have him?

  21. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    1st hit pays off vinagre,kdb,mitroshit to chilwell,(s)on,watkins -8 23 point profit,chuffed...

  22. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Worth going Castagne-> Reguilón for -4 with the turn of fixtures for Leicester and Castagne not looking worth the 5.8 price tag?

    1. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Whoops, meant to say for a FT not -4. ^ wouldn't do it with a hit for sure

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        If nothing pressing then I would rather roll the FT

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

      No, tot don’t do cs

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not much money between them imo

  23. Fero1905
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    59 with Jimenez & Saiss to go

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

    Are we certain that Grealish is on pens?

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

      Not till we see Villa get one.
      Could easily be Barkley or Watkins

    2. Party time
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He isn’t. He does not have the balls to take them. I reckon Barkley/ McGinn/ Watkins or even Konsa will be on them

        1. Ibralicious
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Simmer down Hakim. Always with the hot takes, this ain't Chelsea. Yes, Grealish is on pens, not Konsa.

          1. Party time
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Haha 😆

              He is not! Gotta trust me on this one

        2. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No way to know. I don't think it can be Watkins as he has a pretty poor record so should be between Barkley and Grealish.

      • Babelcopter
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on my knees praying for jammy Jimmy hatty!

        1. Riverside Red
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No chance based on his last performance

      • JoJoRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        VVD to
        a) Villa def
        b) Saiss
        ?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          If you don't have Martinez then villa def

          1. JoJoRed
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks.
            Don’t have Martinez

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

        Which one?

        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

        1. FeverPitch
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          B

      • It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        GTG baring no injuries ahead of Friday?

        Martinez
        Saïss PvA Lamptey
        Salah(c) Son Hamez Grealish
        Kane DCL Maupay

        Bench: Chilwell Castagne Stephens
        1 FT, 1.4m ITB

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Gtg

      • JoJoRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Does VVD fall in price tonight?

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Probably not tonight according to fplstatistics - 39

      • Chhana
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Salah - Sterling - Hamez - Zaha - Anguisa
        DCL - Werner - Jimi

        1.3M in the bank
        Sterling & Jimi/Werner/DCL to Kane & Son or save FT?