Dugout Discussion

Man United and Villa audition for Blanks and Doubles at Old Trafford

Fantasy Premier League managers will have eagle eyes on Old Trafford in Gameweek 17 as Manchester United and Aston Villa go under the microscope.

The two teams were recently confirmed as having three matches across Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19 – increasing interest in their key assets.

A large majority of the community are currently in possession of talismanic figures Bruno Fernandes (£11.2m) and Jack Grealish (£7.7m) but this is an opportunity to look beyond the obvious.

Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) features in what looks like a two-man strike-force in front of a midfield diamond, having scored more goals in the last four matches than Fernandes (four to three).

Anthony Martial (£8.7m) holds onto his centre-forward berth as Edinson Cavani (£7.8m) embarks on his three-game ban, although the Uruguayan will only miss one Premier League outing.

Eric Bailly (£4.9m) sits next to Harry Maguire (£5.4m) in defence once again, in light of Victor Lindelöf‘s (£4.8m) most recent injury while Luke Shaw (£4.8m) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.3m) are on the left and right of the back-four.

Fantasy managers are not short on alternative options at Villa either, not least because Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) has outscored Grealish by 42 points to 19 over the last four matches.

He features on the left-hand side of Dean Smith’s attacking midfield trio at Old Trafford, joined there by Grealish and Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m), who has three attacking returns since Gameweek 14.

There is still no Ross Barkley (£5.9m) in the matchday squad but the defence has reset to normal, with Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) coming straight back into the team following his Gameweek 16 suspension.

Manchester United XI: De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay; Pogba, Fred; B Fernandes; Rashford, Martial.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi, Grealish, B Traoré; Watkins.

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1,932 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The King
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If I make a transfer now then use my freehit after will it cancel my transfer which I'm doing for the following gameweek?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yes and yes

  2. I Must Break You
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Jesus, Walker confirmed. Ederson, Tommy Doyle suspected. Do we know who 5th positive Man City player is?

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Torres or Cancelo

    2. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo or Torres were both named. I'm starting to suspect it's neither becasue

      a) FFS thinks its them, and is always wrong
      b) see a

      1. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Lol, I agree with both a) and b). I suppose we'll find out when lineups are announced on Sunday.

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

      No idea but I heard a rumour on this post thats its kdb.

    4. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No.

    5. just a man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Pep said when we see the lineup up we’ll see 3 important players missing.

      1. I Must Break You
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes, just saw that. You would think Walker, Jesus, and Ederson are all pretty important. So perhaps the other 2 (such as Tommy Doyle) aren't regulars.

  3. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Damn it AWB, Bruno was at the BACK post!

  4. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      MARTIAL

      I love youuuu

      I swear I love youuuuuu

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ooooooookayyyyy

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He's sooo bad.

    • Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is it just me or is the media boring?

      Tomas Sousek said he normally eats potato salad over Xmas and everyone goes mental like he just said the best joke of all time

      The people roaring about that have the personality of a potato salad

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's no Tony Yeboah and his massive Yorkshire puddings that's for sure.

      2. Weak Become Heros
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Come on then pal, lets hear a joke.

      3. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for sharing - still boring

      4. Leonard hatred
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'd take Soucek eating potato salad over Wilf Zaha shagging Moyes' daughter any day of the week.

    • Mr Arsenal
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish is so weak for somebody with such big calves. He falls over all the time.

    • Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Martial G! My strategy of using template mids and differential fwd working great so far..

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

        TRY going without bam please

        1. Esalman
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I know lol he's in for Richarlison actually.

    • bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Want to bring in a MU def. Can only afford Lindelhof or Shaw.
      Anyone know when Lindelhof will be back?
      Will Shaw keep his place?
      Thanks

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

        Ole should Telles more after the game.

      2. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's unconfirmed but I read a rumour that Lindelof may need back surgery and could be out for some life
        Shaw is not nailed IMO
        AWB is the best bet

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Life being about 15-20 dependant on good behaviour? 😉

          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Missed this 😀

    • lordkippe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL, MArty, Jack, Rashers & Penandes is making me proud

    • BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can people stop bloody asking if the Burnley Fulham game is still on. If it was going to be postponed it would have already been announced by now. Drop it please

      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Like the other games postponed just hours before?

      2. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Well that's just simply not true is it

        • Cilly Bonnolly
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I agree it’s annoying but that’s not necessarily true is it? How long before kick off was the Spurs game called off?

        • Saka_me_sideways
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          So it’s not on?

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

          Well it wouldn’t

        • Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          HOW YOU FEELING NOW?? Lol game’s OFF!

      3. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Where can I check my cup rivals team

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          ask someone who is actually in the cup

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

            Buhaha. True!

        2. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Section labelled "CUP" on the right hand side

        3. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Right hand side of what mate? Slightly confused

          1. HashAttack
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Either Points or My Team screens (on FPL) - Below your leagues and above Transfers and Finance

        4. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Livefpl show it I think

          1. Sun Jihai
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            https://www.livefpl.net/cup/YOUR ID HERE

            1. Tsparkes10
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Thanks 🙂

      4. Party time
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Martial matters!

        • Do I Not Like Orange
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          4 big fat blanks incoming in this match with Soucek & Coufal laughing at me from the bench.

          1. Danstoke82
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Same here. It hurts but such is my current luck!

        • Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Grealish is so overrated

          1. Mr Arsenal
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Only the most gifted English creative midfielder since Gascoigne

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Terrible opinion

            • Paqueta Rice
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              No he is not and if he had a better team around him he would be better again.

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

              he's actually the most overrated player of the century.

            • el polako
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I pay money yo go and watch him even though not a Villa fan.

          3. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            C'mon Rashford!

          4. Underdogs11
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Is there some way to find out which games are likely to be postponed, and which probably will be played - due to covid?

            1. Ozzy smith
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              A time machine?

              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                This made me laugh!

            2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Here or Twitter for rumours. It always starts with rumours

              1. Underdogs11
                • 3 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Thx. Any rumours about this gameweek?

                1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Fulham vv Burnley

          5. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Can't wait to get rid of Watkins.

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 3 months ago

                He's called Ollie shitkins on here

                1. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Bloody muppet. My only hope is he has a shot saved which lands at Grealish with an open net

                2. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Lollie Shitkins

              • Bobby Digital
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Him and Grealish

              • Chucky
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                he's the unluckiest player in FPL.. sold him after his 11 point haul...

              • Gobigorgohome
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                but but he plays blank GW and has a DGW 😉

                1. Bushwhacker
                  • 4 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  6 pts!

                2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Perfect example of getting blinded by doubles. I'm forced to keep him. I expect nothing from him

            2. Gobigorgohome
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              United play brilliantly

              1. Warby84
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Lucky

            3. Kodap
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Have any of Bruno, Rashford or Grealish had a shot on target yet? Not watching myself

              1. Bushwhacker
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Bruno had a shot

              2. Ozzy smith
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                You on that 3/1 boost with sky bet? Lol

                1. Kodap
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Hahaha yeah! Not watching so wanting to see how it’s going

                  1. Ozzy smith
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    Haha same, none of them have yet.

                    1. Kodap
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Brutal.. you leaving it?

                      1. Ozzy smith
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        Yeahhh, you’re always in the game with those bets aren’t ya! Been a pretty open game, been unfortunate so far

                  2. Do I Not Like Orange
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    I'm on the same and haven't spotted a SOT from any of them yet.

                    1. Kodap
                      • 6 Years
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      How upsetting!

                      1. Ozzy smith
                        • 9 Years
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        Rashford in the bag

            4. Bushwhacker
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Anyone buy Villa a striker as a New Years present?

              1. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Been there and got out after Shitkins got his 'hat-trick'

              2. g40steve
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Swapped out Adams to Ollie, he’s due about minute 69 😉

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

              Damn, cup rival has Soucek

              1. I Must Break You
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Thanks for letting us know

            6. el polako
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Most difficult job at United ?

              ...to make Martial crack a smile.

            7. Fergymac
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Traoré is a useless player. Absolutely awful performance

              1. Bushwhacker
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Nice dive

            8. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Really want to keep Grealish but is there a risk he’s rested in one of the doubles?

              Soucek must be due a rest too

              1. Zladan
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Hopefully he gets a move to OT. Him and Fernandes either side of Fred and McSauce would be very good.

                1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Should have happened in the Summer, all that time wasted chasing Sancho

            9. Zladan
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              AWB might be the best United defensive option from FPL perspective over the next few gameweeks.

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

              Martinez, Grealish, Fernandes, DCL...

              My week is already all on Son captain

            11. Mr Arsenal
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Who hasn’t captained Bruno? Reveal yourselves..

              1. Nightcrawler
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Never considered it. was between salah and son

                1. Mr Arsenal
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 11 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Went for Salah on the basis that he won’t blank three games in a row..

                  1. Bielsa Murderball
                    • 3 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    This

              2. KEN YA DIG IT
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Here. Another 45 mins behind the sofa

              3. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Went with Sonny, runs off to check EO's
                I wont be surprised if Bruno gets something though

              4. Leonard hatred
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Kane (c)

                I don't believe in statistics.

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

                Capped Salah.

                Decided 2 GWs ago to leave it permanently on Mo regardless of the fixture. If he blanks, he blanks, but at least I don’t miss out on his eventual hauls.

            12. Plagued by indecision
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I want KDB for BGW and DGW, but need a defender as a makeweight. I can afford anything up to 5.2 so AWB and Maguire are out of the question. How is Bailly as an option?

              1. Mr Arsenal
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Too many acronyms, I’m lost!

              2. Zladan
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Doesn’t look like he can be dropped.

                I’m shocked he played so many games without being injured.

              3. bso
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Am asking that myself.

            13. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Blank machine Grealish on course for 5th blank in 6 GWs

              Him and DCL were early season picks. Best move on

              1. Nomar
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Keep.

                Will come good again.

              2. I Must Break You
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Getting moved away from LW seems to have negatively affected his output

            14. Flynny
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Are folk activating free hit now, or waiting till nearer the time ?

              Thanks

              1. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Wait. Covid could strike

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

                Doing nothing for a week at least

              3. WE GO FOR IT
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                If you are 100% certain, why not hit it? If you miss the deadline, it could be bad.

                1. Flynny
                  • 9 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Just worried I'll activate it and them prem put on hold for 2 weeks....