Pro Pundits

Seven-time top 10k finisher Zophar on Man Utd’s best Triple Gameweek 35 players

One of the most consistent FPL managers in the game, Zophar, is on course for his eighth top 10k finish. Here, he takes an in-depth look at Manchester United’s assets ahead of their Triple Gameweek.


It’s been a surreal 12 hours.

My own team, Chelsea, have trounced Real Madrid and progressed to the Champions League final, a scenario that many of us would have deemed impossible midway through the season.

As tempted as I am to wax lyrical for another 1,000 words about the Blues, I cannot ignore the elephant in the room: Manchester United’s TRIPLE Gameweek!

The Manchester United v Liverpool fixture being postponed in Gameweek 34 hit all of us hard and myself included, as I had five players in that fixture. While this immediate, surprise rescheduling gives us an opportunity to get some of those points back, the schedule indicates that it might not be that simple. Let’s get stuck into it.

I’m writing this piece before United have played in the UEFA Europa League, and while the Red Devils carry a four-goal advantage going into the second leg, I don’t see them fielding a weakened team as that would offer Roma a glimmer of hope – which is the last thing they’d want to do. I expect the likes of Bruno Fernandes (£11.5m), Edinson Cavani (£7.9m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.6m) to start, with early substitutions the likely route to rest.

The Red Devils play a total of four games in a space of seven days, a schedule that is largely unprecedented and given that it is at the tail-end of the season, when players are already mentally and physically fatigued from a congested schedule, rotation is inevitable. 

Motivation

Manchester United are in a firm position to clinch UEFA Champions League qualification, sitting nine points clear of fifth placed West Ham. With their superior goal difference, the Red Devils effectively need just three points to seal it. So there’s no real need to flog players and risk injury with such short turnarounds. There is some merit to finishing as high up the table as possible, too, so that has to be factored in as well. 

Scheduling

The turnaround time from the Europa League to the Villa fixture isn’t too bad. After all, it’s the usual Thursday-Sunday schedule that they’ve handled all season. A full rest since their last Europa League game due to the Liverpool postponement would also help in terms of energy levels.

The curveball here is the next two fixtures, against more formidable opposition on Tuesday and Thursday. 

Now, do United consider resting players for Villa to prioritise the Leicester and Liverpool games or do they go for the more ‘winnable’ points? I think they go for the former as the game against Leicester is almost a six-pointer, as it would open up the gap against the Foxes. The Liverpool fixture is always a big one too because of the rivalry. It’s not ideal when you think about captaincy for Fernandes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he played all three. 

Which players are the most likely to see minutes?

Harry Maguire (£5.5m), Fernandes and Rashford are the only players to feature in every single league match for United this season, while only Maguire has played every minute. 

On this basis, you would assume that the most nailed-on asset in defence is obviously Maguire. I think Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.7m) is also relatively safe for starts but I would worry about Luke Shaw (£5.4m) with Alex Telles (£5.3m) available and the Englishman’s past history with muscle injuries. Victor Lindelof (£4.8m) doesn’t fill me with confidence with Eric Bailly (£4.8m) around, either.

Fernandes is the obvious attacking pick, having seen the most minutes of any of their attackers. For the next best pick, let’s have a closer look at the minutes over the last seven Gameweeks rather than the season.

The likes of Wan-Bissaka, Shaw, Lindelof, Maguire and Dean Henderson (£5.2m) have played the entirety the last seven Gameweeks, with Fernandes missing out by just one minute.

Rashford’s game-time has been managed to an extent due to the niggling injury he has been carrying and he’s struggled to play two games a week, let alone four, so I am not tempted by him there. We have often seen Paul Pogba (£7.6m) play on the left, as well, which reduces the appeal of Rashford on the right.

It is encouraging to see Mason Greenwood (£7.2m) feature in all five of their last league matches for an average of 75 minutes each. At just 19 years of age, the youngster can recover quicker than most in the United squad and should see a decent amount of minutes across the three matches, especially given Rashford’s struggles. 

Attacking stats

My team

I’m sitting with two free transfers and £0.2m in the bank. As it stands, I have four players who will blank in Gameweek 36, and Rhian Brewster (£4.3m). 

My plan is to sell Son Heung-min (£9.6m) for Greenwood this week and roll the other transfer. Then, next week, I plan on reversing that move and bringing Gareth Bale (£9.1m) in for Fernandes. I do think the Red Devils will play a weakened team in Gameweek 38 with the Europa League final in mind, so I might get only the Fulham fixture out of Fernandes. This would also allow me to fund Brewster to Michail Antonio (£6.4m) for a -4. This would allow me to bench Kelechi Iheanacho, Shaw and AntonioRudiger and have a strong squad for any unexpected rotation in the final weeks. 

I know there’s talk – and justifiably so – about this Triple Gameweek being a trap and whatnot, but this is only the second time I’ve seen it happen in my 12 years of playing FPL and I just cannot bring myself not to max out on it. In five years’ time, I don’t want to be saying that I had only two players when Manchester United had a Triple Gameweek, irrespective of the outcome. 

Enjoy the chaos. One thing is for sure, there will never be a season like this again.

Thanks for reading. 

THE FPL WIRE PODCAST WITH ZOPHAR, LATERISER AND TOM FREEMAN


Pro Pundits 20
1,947 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hi.....2fts. 0 cash

    Thoughts on son and vardy to Bruno (c) and dcl?

    Then it's a - 8 to field 11 in gw36.....

    Struggling to see an better plan than this....

    Thanks

    Mendy (forster)
    Taa shaw konsa (Dawson holding)
    Salah son jota greenwood (lingard)
    Kane vardy nacho

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Why not just Son >> Bruno(c) and roll the second. -4 for 11 next week or just play no keeper next week

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I can't afford just son to Bruno....

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    BB Active. Yay or Nay for a hit?

    Lingard+Coady >> Greenwood+Ward (-4)?

    Mendy
    TAA. Shaw. Rudiger. Holding
    Salah. Bruno. Jota
    Kane. DCL. Nacho
    (Forster, ASM, Lingard, Coady)

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Haha! Thanks bud

    1. drughi
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      surely play lingard over holding

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        oh nothing

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Bench boost buddy aye

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Would do that
      Losing Lingard, I'd get Antonio for the last two gw's

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      6 GW36 blankers + Forster > 7 GW36 blankers + Forster.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        What does this mean? Sorry haha

        1. jtreble
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          With this move you'll have 7 players that blank in GW36 + Forster, correct?

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Oh, the I read the greater than sign. So don’t do the moves then? I’ll get potentially 3 extra games this week though?

            Greenwood(x3)
            Ward(x2)

            1. jtreble
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 10 months ago

              What's your plan for GW36 where you'll have 8 players that won't start?

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 10 months ago

                Would be a hit to get 9 out. I could go Zaha in the move above? Or I could just roll my FT.

                1. jtreble
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 10 months ago

                  I'd recommend you use a model like fplreview.com to optimize your transfers. GL.

    4. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd do it

    5. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Do you think Forster will play?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yes hass has said

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Thought Hass didnt say who would play?

    6. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Looks solid

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers boss. Means only 7 next week though. 9 with a hit

    7. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Or Greenwood could be Zaha?

  3. Hitthewall
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Mendy -> Guaita worth a -4?

    Makes be able to go DCL instead of Watkins.

    Also no GK in 36 if i dont transfer out Mendy.

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes if it enables DCL in the same hit

  4. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    G2G?

    Guaita
    AWB, TAA, Fofana, Holding
    Salah, Bruno (c), Son, Jota
    Kane, Nacho

    Forster Vydra, Coady, Traore

  5. langov
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is Mitchell nailed?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He was last game

    2. Phlajo
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      No

  6. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which one would you keep?

    A) Kane
    B) Son
    C) Both

    1. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane.
      Bruno to Son is easy switch in GW36

      1. corderz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        So Son > Bruno this week?

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          yes

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

    3. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane

  7. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have this knack that I need DCL for GWs 35+36, but would mean one hit extra over Watkins:

    A) Bamford -> Watkins -4pts
    B) Bamford + Rudiger -> DCL + Phillips -8pts
    C) keep Bumford

    cheers

  8. Straobalno
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have BB and TC. Is it better to use TC on Bruno now or BB? If i use BB now i would TC salah against CRY

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I'd love to triple captain a triple player, just for the novelty! Who knows when it will happen again

    2. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Depends on how good your bench is!

  9. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane and Lingard to Bruno and DCL or Son and Azpi to Bruno and Ward?

    1. Straobalno
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Son and azpi

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Difficult one, but I'd lean towards the latter as easier switch in GW36

  10. sneif4
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench boosting this lot:

    Martinez Johnstone
    TAA Maguire Castagne Holding Ward
    Salah Greenwood Lingard Zaha Jota
    Vardy Nacho Watkins

    Anything worth a hit?
    Salah captain?

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Decent. Salah safe captain choice

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yikes. No Bruno.

    3. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I want to bring in Ward but sounds like he'll be rotated with Clyne, is Mitchell a safer bet?

  11. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Still lost as to what to do with 2fts and 0itb.

    Mendy
    TAA Shaw Castagne
    Salah Bruno Greenwood Jota Lingard
    Kane Nacho
    (Forster Holding Vydra Veltman)

    Kane to DCL would give cash to upgrade for next week but unsure.
    Any suggestions?

    1. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Great team, and tough call, but I'd probably do it. DCL has SU next week too

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, tempting. It's whether I then upgrade Vydra or Lingard this week for the 2nd ft that's confusing me!
        Cheers

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Holding out to prepare for next week maybe? With no money it's tricky though. Maybe Mitchell.

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah, good point. Mitchell or maybe Struijk?

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      That team can't be faulted, really. Lingard to Eze or JWP , if anything

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Ha, cheers. Looks great for this week, not so much for next!

    4. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Perhaps use one on goalkeeper as you may have none playing in 36!

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah Mendy to McCarthy or Pickford maybe.

    5. Dr. Mantis Toboggan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      In a similar situation, it's tough.
      I had been considering Mendy -> Meslier on the basis that Forster was playing both in the double, but Ralph's latest comments make that seem less certain.

      I think I'd to Kane move in your case

  12. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Schmeichel, Forster
    TAA, Shaw, Coady, Fofana, Reguilon
    Bruno, Jota, Lingard, Son, Bowen
    Iheanacho, Bamford, Kane

    0.1m itb., 2ft. I still have bboost and TC

    a) Bowen, Son >>> Zaha, Greenwood
    b) Bamford, Son >>> Watkins/Cavani, Zaha/Greenwood
    c) Son, Kane >>> Salah/Mane, Watkins/Cavani

    1. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I go with c

  13. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Martinez
    Azpi* Trent Targett Shaw
    Lingard* Son Ferndes(c) Perriera
    Iheancho Kane*

    Sanchez Bamford Dallas Rafinha*

    Azpi Lingard Rafinha Kane - Mitchell Salah Greenwood DCL. worth a -12?!
    Then bench Bamford, Perrira, Dallas.

    Perriera > Ward Prowse next week and I can play 11.

    1. quayle99
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Considering just Lingard + Rafinha >>> Zaha Greenwood. Have money in the bank.
      Then Fernandes > Salah next week...

  14. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which FH combo?

    A) Utd def and Guaita
    B) Castagne and Henderson

    1. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I haven't seen Henderson mentioned much, but that could be a good shout

  15. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Have 5M.

    Which defender is worth taking a hit for? Already have Shaw and Azpi.

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Nobody sub 5m

      1. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Mitchell? Phillips?

        1. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Mitchell over Ward?

  16. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Play 2 of 1) rudiger 2) holding 3) lingard

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1) and 2)

  17. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Which combo please.

    1) JWP + DCL
    2) Greenwood + Antonio

    1. rubberdignerapids
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      1

  18. rubberdignerapids
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    A, B or C?

    A) Cresswell + Mendy + 8 points
    B) Robertson + Mendy + 4 points
    C) Robertson + Guaita

    (Other GK is Fabri)

  19. cescpistols111
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Best move? 1FT, 2.4 ITB. No chips left.

    A. N.Williams -> Mitchell & start over Lingard
    B. Son -> Greenwood
    C. Save FT, use 2FT before GW36 to move some blank players.

    Leno
    Shaw (v) Kabak Rudiger
    Bruno (c) Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Vardy DCL

    Forster Coady Burke N.Williams

  20. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any other Arsenal fans want to discuss Arteta??

    Taking of Aubamayang after hitting the post twice was and needing a goal was the final straw for me.

    Selling Martinez and giving players like David Luiz a new contract and Cedric and Willian big contracts was very poor.

    Arsenal need the Spotify owners and real investment in the team.

    1. Jonny HOW SON?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      At least you won't have Europe next year to worry about.
      No excuses next season, if he doesn't get a good position in the table.
      If he stays, of course...

  21. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pick what looks like the best move:

    A) Holding --- Shaw

    B) Coady + Jota --- TAA + El Ghazi (-4)

    C) Phillips + Son --- Robertson + Greenwood (-4)

  22. TVPlugSockets
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I’m BB and back 5 is:

    Shaw Phillips Holding Coady Rudiger.

    Have one transfer to improve defence, want to bring in a Palace/Villa/Everton player so they’re playing next week too.

    What move would you make?

  23. Maeki2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kane + traore + dias -> nacho + Salah + lindelöf -4

    Or keep dias without hit?

    1. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      keep Diaz and no hit

  24. Reacher
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who should I bench

    A, Mount

    or

    B, Jota

    only other single GW player is Kane and i cant bench him

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. TVPlugSockets
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A I’d say.

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  25. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    who to play?
    1-Rudiger
    2-Coufal
    3-Dallas

    1. Reacher
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Rudi

  26. Ready Manager One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any thoughts on this team? 1 FT 0.1 ITB

    Martinez
    TAA Shaw Rudiger
    Salah Jota Bruno Son Lingz
    Kane Nacho
    (Forster; Vydra, Llorente, Holding)

    Atm thinking of doing Son to Greenwood with 1 FT, but that worries me about next gw

    TIA!

    1. TVPlugSockets
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I’d do the transfer. Just to be safe. I’d presume there will be lots of hits next week anyway

  27. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I thought I had activated the FH and just checked and it was not!!
    Lucky!!

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1FT 0.3 ITB and no chips left here guys. Essentially a question of pick 2 from DCL Watkins Greenwood Zaha JWP Siggy (?)

    A) Vydra Son Coady to DCL Greenwood Coufal/other 4.8 (-8)
    B) Vydra Son to Watkins Greenwood (or Zaha/someone else) (-4)
    C) Vydra Lingard to DCL JWP (-4)

    Martinez (Forster)
    TAA Shaw Rudiger (Coady Johnson)
    Bruno(c) Salah Son Jota Lingard
    Kane Iheanacho (Vydra)

    Sadly the defender move is needed to find 0.1 in A... Lingard would be benched in A/B

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      If you can get Son back next week then B for me.

  29. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Leno + Rudiger > Henderson + Ward -4?

    Need to play BB and it allows me funds to get Kane and Son next week for 11.

    Henderson
    TAA Castagne Shaw Ward
    Salah Bruno Jota
    Vardy DCL Nacho
    Lloris Lingard Pereira Coufal

  30. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Zaha or Greenwood? Would have 9 players and 1FT for the next GW if I went Mason

    1. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      G