Dugout Discussion

Injured Cavani misses out as Solskjaer opts for Martial over Greenwood in attack

Having been leapfrogged by Leicester City earlier in the day, Manchester United will attempt to go back to second in the Premier League table at Old Trafford this evening.

A win over visitors Newcastle United will do just that and keep league leaders Manchester City within ten points’ reach, following a win for Pep Guardiola’s troops in the late-afternoon kick-off.

The last of four Premier League matches to take place on Sunday gets underway at 19:00 GMT.

Daniel James (£6.2m) and Nemanja Matic (£4.7m) are brought into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI tonight.

Both of the United manager’s changes from Gameweek 25 are enforced, with Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) and Scott McTominay (£4.9m) missing through injury.

Mason Greenwood (£7.0m) is again only among the substitutes, with Anthony Martial (£8.7m) preferred up front.

Steve Bruce has made just the one change to the Newcastle side that lost at Chelsea last Monday as Joelinton (£5.7m) replaces Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) in attack.

Bruno Fernandes (£11.6m) is the second-most-popular captaincy pick of Double Gameweek 25 overall and within the top 10k, trailing Patrick Bamford (£6.9m) in both instances.

Selected by the vast majority of the top 10,000, Fernandes’ effective ownership is, once again, in excess of 100% – so any return means a small red arrow for those who own the Portuguese midfielder but haven’t captained him.

LINE-UPS

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Willock, Hayden, Shelvey, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Matic, Fred, James, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 25 SO FAR…

Ilkay Gundogan (£6.1m) made a swift return from injury at the Emirates this afternoon but couldn’t add to his season’s goal tally of 11.

The German started and finished the game in his now customary ‘number eight’ role but he, and City as a collective, never really clicked in an attacking sense in north London.

Not that Pep Guardiola’s side really needed to get out of second gear, with Arsenal failing to capitalise on some threatening positions in the final third and mustering only one shot on target in the entire game.

This was City’s 15th clean sheet of the season and their 13th in the last 16 Gameweeks.

Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) made his first start on his return from injury as a ‘false nine’ and provided some typically incisive through-balls, while the advanced Joao Cancelo (£6.1m) again saw plenty of penalty-box action and wasted a glorious chance to double City’s lead when toe-poking wide from 10 yards.

Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) was the visitors’ match-winner, nodding home Riyad Mahrez‘s (£8.1m) second-minute cross for his 13th attacking return in his last 14 league starts.

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2,309 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play up Pumpy.

  2. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Man United’s clean sheet tonight will rise the average nicely with ~40% EO.

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah the clean sheet is guaranteed. Completely locked in. Newcastle haven't a hope of scoring. 😀

      1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stop it .......

      2. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha

  3. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Joelinton does the Kane trick on Maguire

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

      Streetwise Joe Linton.

  4. Uns95
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi all - what's the best strategy for someone who has all chips still to play?

    Wondering if I aim to wildcard this week, FH in GW 29... but not sure on BB and TC? any advice appreciated!

  5. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling Raphinha Bamford to Gundogan Barnes Kane (TC) (-8)?

  6. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Self indulgent repost.
    This week was the perfect week for me to go out of the cup. It would have been nice to go out to someone who’s far superior in rank and with an all round better team. So I was resigned to it.
    Thing is, I’m actually doing ok. Little things are beginning to add up. Like he has Cancelo with a yellow and I have Dias with 1 bap. His big boys Son and Salah blanked and I have Sterling. I also have an extra player to go in Wan Bissaka. So with a little luck, there’ll be a clean sheet tonight and I could just edge it.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t bank on a cs. Are you watching?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No, watched the last game and it’s the wife’s turn to choose. That’s why I’m looking at Zac Effrons face.

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Lucky. Mine makes us watch all the matches. I've had enough tbh.

          1. Rupert The Horse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Haha. Careful what you wish for springs to mind.

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Of 4 EPL games and a bit of the Milan derby in the afternoon mix?

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Effron over Maguire? She’s missing out!

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That is some unfair horseplay if you win.

    3. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sort of in a similar situation. We're level right now. My opponent is a lurker here and I finally spoke to him today lol

      This is what we're left with:

      Me: Struijk Burn Vestergaard Raphinha(C)
      Him: Shaw Sanchez Bamford (C) Raphinha

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That so hilarious. Wish that’d happen to me. That is incredibly close.
        Me: AWB Meslier Bamford Dallas
        Him: Dallas Ings Bamford

    4. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What did you have for tea venison or lamb chop ?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Well remembered. Went for the lamb chop. I’ll have the venison tomorrow.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Nice, good food far more important than this fpl nonsense 😉

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Very true!

  7. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Utd are a mess. Good job Newcastle attack is so poor.

    1. FantasyTony
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A moveable object vs a stoppable force.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        🙂

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha. That’s very nicely done sir. Tips hat.

  8. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fred is awful. Make it stop. Please.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wait until he has a shot

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      🙁

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed last article- Not sure what best to do here. 1free transfer and .3 m in bank

    Thinking Salah Ings Bamford to Barnes Kane DCL -8?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Tarkowski Shaw
    Salah Sterling Bruno Gundogan
    Watkins Ings Bamford

    Pope Raphinha Dallas Coufal

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Like those moves

    2. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah. Good moves on paper.

  10. Sid1891
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bottomed on last article

    Next GW
    A Soucek > Barnes -4
    B play Raphinia

    Cheers

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Jimmy

  11. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    with DDG in goal any cross or pot shot can lead to a fluke goal 🙂

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Facts.

  12. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best option?

    A play targett, bench bamford
    B -4 son & Bamford > Barnes & DCL

    No bb will fh29

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tricky! I like B provided you have Kane otherwise not keen on losing Son

  13. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Phew! Cavani absence means Digne 7 points off the bench.

    1. Joyce1998
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      lucky

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        True, but the better my first sub, the luckier I get!

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice

  14. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Old article repost:
    Can only weather one price rise or fall to do this transfer:
    Grealish, Ings > Barnes, Kane (-4)

    Why do Spurs have to play midweek?! Maybe Kane not in the roster again?

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice moves

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane won’t play on Thursday. Barnes very likely will play some part.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ugh. Probably need to do these transfers now, sadly. Won’t be able to afford otherwise.

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane will not play. They are good moves so if there is any risk of price changes do it. Check out FPL statistics.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        All four of them are listed in Most Transfers In/Out section of official game.

        1. BeWater
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Have you used fplstatistics before? Take a look there. Barnes is the only one at the moment that could price change. I think I would just do it.

  15. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The entire Man United defence clearly don't own themselves in FPL.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What going on? Are they just playing really badly?

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Could have conceded a couple already. DDG with a terrible kick out a minute ago.

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They know themselves well...

  16. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What a week to get a 13 point autosub 😀

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

      Skill 😎

    2. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      well played

    3. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Barnes gave me a 19-point auto-sub lady season too. He just keeps on giving.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What a legend

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        That's was against Villa too - love it!

  17. Tabes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Digne Stones Dunk
    Son Fernandes Sterling Gundogan
    Kane Calvert-L Watkins

    For triple-captain next DW?

    Thanks

  18. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DCL (4) and Lowton (6) on my bench outscoring Gundo (3) and Cancelo (5). Absolutely fuming.

    1. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That is just 2 points difference.

    2. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hope this post isn't serious

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Played DCL...but also played Cresswell over Stones because I honestly believed Gundo would sit this one was a bit presumptuous. Those 4 points mean alot this GW.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      2 points 😀

      If you were offered both City starting and DCL benched, as you played it...

    5. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Guys I'm joking!! Wish I knew how to do emojis!

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I picked it up as a joke post, the full-stop was enough

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        😉

      3. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Punctuation keys

  19. Ian Davis
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My pre-wildcard team had Tarkowski, Lookman, Sterling, Antonio & Richarlison. Just to top it off - Harvey Barnes is my first sub and won’t come on.

    These are the things that make you want to quit the game...

    1. Napoleon IV
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yeah, sounds like you should quit

  20. Tabes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Digne Stones Dunk
    Son Fernandes Sterling Gundogan
    Kane Calvert-L Watkins

    For triple-captain next DGW, who to choose?

    Thanks

  21. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Plan for the DGW

    Martinez (Meslier)
    Dias Cancelo Tarko (Cresswell Holding)
    Foden Bruno Barnes Son* Raphinha
    Barnes* Watkins* Bamford

    Son, A.Barnes and Watkins
    To
    Kane, Vardy and Maddison (-8)

    If Grealish is passed fit might hold Watkins and shift Foden to Gundo instead.

    Look ok?

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Obviously between Bamford and Raphina for the final spot in the team.

    2. Horlicks esq.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Im bringing Barnes in while you're taking him out!?

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ashley Barnes. Not Harvey. I'm keeping Harvey

      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Barnes A. Rather than Barnes H. I reckon

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes gives good options, I like Harvey Barnes more of a differential

  22. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Newcastle knocking it about like prime Barca

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Brucelona

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Faustino Asprilla on WC for me.

    3. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The Geordie Busquets will need to stay disciplined

  23. Mork calling Orson
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On WC, have Kane, would you rather
    A) Barnes & DCL
    B) Son & Watkins

    1. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A all day

      1. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A.

    2. Mork calling Orson
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah that’s my thinking too, cheers guys.

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

      A no brainer

  24. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sterling Raphinha Bamford to Gundogan Barnes Kane (TC) (-8)??

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

      Both - 8 and Kane TC isn't appealing

    2. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I normally wouldn't endorse a -8 but think they are good moves especially if you are bringing in someone to TC.

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think I would yeah

  25. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    seeing Fred and Matic on the teamsheet gives me a feeling like seeing Jones and Smalling on the teamsheet back in the day 🙁

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Basically.

    2. jammie26
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Home to Newcastle surely he only needs to play 1 dm?

  26. Horlicks esq.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC played. It'll go to the wire if I finish with Salah > KDB and Gundo > 6.7m

    Martinez

    Dias / Stones / Targett

    Salah / Barnes / Gundo / Son / Bruno

    Kane (c) / Watkins

    4 bench players for GW29

  27. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option for 26

    A. Son and Watkins (TC Son Salah or Bruno)
    B. Kane and Barnes (-4) TC Kane

    Thanks!

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B but still undecided with Kane TC

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  28. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Don’t look at your wildcard team vs your old team. Your wildcard team should set you up for future gameweeks and score more in the long run.

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What if you’d just wildcarded 1 week later 🙂

  29. CapK
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Outside of City, Bruno & Salah, who is the best

    A) defender
    B) midfielder
    C) striker

    For the DGW?!

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aina
      Barnes
      Dominic

  30. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not a good match to have Shaw as my only differential it seems!

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah 0-0s are terrible when you own a defender

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don’t see this ending 0-0

        So far it’s NEW looking more exciting!