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. Dybala10
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any idea who to start out of Lingard (EVE H) or Holgate (WHU A & AVL A)?

    I feel like Lingard has the higher ceiling and not massively confident on Holgate getting one clean sheet, but feels odd benching a DGW player.

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

      Start Lingard. Holgate might even be dropped.

  2. Svidde
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    1. Lindelof + kabak (for coady and rudiger)
    2. Phillips + awb (for coady and rudiger)
    3. phillips + maguire (for coady and rudiger)

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

      2

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

      1.

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

      1

  3. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why do I see Zaha as a trap? 😉

    A Zaha
    B JWP

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

      B 100%

    2. GinjaWhinja
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C. Maddison

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

        Need a player whom will play in GW36

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

      He is a troll of epic LOTR proportions.

    4. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      B

  4. egan
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Help me pick one:
    a. JWP (M Sou)
    b. El Ghazi (M Avl)
    c. Evans (D Lei)
    d. Coleman (D Eve)

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      b if no watkin

  5. tissae
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Will Holding start both matches ?

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

      Nope. Max 1 w luiz back.

    2. Pariße
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      The word around here is no. I got him a few game weeks ago, and apparently, he's the next in line to be rotated.

  6. JabariParkersEyelid
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    To those asking if they should use their chips.

    When else exactly are you planning on using them if not this week?

    I can't see how there will be a better opportunity.

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

      So TC Bruno you think? Or Salah?

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

        I couldn't look at myself in the mirror if I didn't triple Bruno in in a triple game week.

        I'm not saying it will 100% work, but I'd play the upside.

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

          Have Salah too. Even Nacho. Bruno best option for TC? Given fixture congestions and hard fixtures?

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

            I've said more than once (on last page as well) that I would use it on Bruno. I have no reservations about that, he's my captain this week.

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

              Okay. Thanks man will be a last min decision.

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

      Saving for next season, want get off to a good start.

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

    Anyone got a strike force of just Iheanacho and Vardy??

    Feel very underwhelmed.

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

      Just feel that they wont score more than 2 goals over 2 games, thats why avoiding

    2. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Indeed last week for Vardy, then straight to Antonio

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Kane, Vardy

  8. LakhaneeFC
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Transferred Bruno out before GW34 for Son. Did my transfers this before TGW was announced for a hit :/
    - Dias to Digne
    - Davis to Watkins

    Would love your views on the team:
    Current team:
    Martinez (Areola)
    Shaw Digne TAA (Regulion Struijk)
    Greenwood Son Salah Jota (Lingard)
    Kane Watkins Nacho

    1. How essential is Bruno and who to lose to get him back?
    2. Any other changes you’d make to this team? (Transfers or playing 11)

    Cheers!

  9. RedJive79
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Morning all. Is this GTG? Or would you -4 for Bam to Watkins and drop Lingz to the bench?? Thanks!

    Martinez
    Shaw / TAA / Dallas
    Jota / Salah / Greenwood / Lingz / Bruno (c)
    Kane / Nacho

    Areola / Bam / Veltman / Struijk

  10. ratski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Who scores more this gw... Pick one from each
    A. Mane
    B. Vardy

    1. Digne
    2. Castagne

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

      a2

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

      Currently on B2 but might change before deadline

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

      Think Vardy is due, b2

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

    Mendy
    Fofana, Digne, Phillips
    Son, Salah, Bruno, Jota, Mount
    Iheanacho, Vardy

    subs: Forster, Coady, Holding, Davis

    Thinking:

    A) Mount --- Greenwood/Zaha
    B) Mount + Holding --- Greenwood/Zaha + Shaw (-4)

  12. Bleh
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any changes you’d make to this FH?

    Guaita
    TAA, Maguire, Digne
    Salah, Zaha, Greenwood (C), Bruno
    Vardy, Iheanacho, DCL

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Bold captain choice in Greenwood!

      Good team.

      Vardy hasn't done enough to impress me but worth a try with good fixtures

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

        Thanks, may chicken out on the captain choice but holding firm for now! Vardy definitely a punt.

  13. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Captain:

    A) Salah
    B) Greenwood
    C) Rashford

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

      A

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

      A

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Salah

  14. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Cavani or TAA?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      TAA

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      TAA

  15. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone else going Salah over Bruno for C?

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

      Yeah

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Nice!

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

      No

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

      Leaning towards it

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        The argument for it is really strong. Top 4 ambitions. Golden boot ambition. Playing Southampton and then possibly a tired United team.

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

          So if you had TC, you would rather Salah than Bruno?

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 10 months ago

            Yes.

  16. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Good morning everyone!!! Best option here???

    A- Play Holding
    Or
    B- Get Shaw -4
    C- Get Maguire -4

    Cheers!!!

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

      C

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

    3. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      C

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks guys!!! Reassuring that what’s my initial plan!! Weill go Maguire!!! Cheers!! Best of luck!!

  17. Netters2018
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Salah cpt yeah? Or protect rank by Bruno? I honestly see Salah matching bruno... ole comments after game says no one is playing all 3

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

      Salah

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Oh blimey I didn’t see that, does that comment extend to Maguire too do you think?? Only one I could imagine playing all 3, obviously not with those comments

  18. tissae
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would you rather have A or B for BB?

    A) Holding + Watkins
    B) Digne + Davis

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Has to be more potential for points in A imo

  19. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Morning all

    Am I G2G here? Have doubts around who to bench tbh!

    0itb -4. No chips left
    Mendy
    TAA, Shaw, Coleman
    Bruno (C), Salah (v), Greenwood, Jota
    Kane, DCL, Iheanacho
    (Forster) (Rudiger, Lingard, Masuaku)

    I am currently on 8 starters for GW36 so will either use FT for 9 or stretch to 10 with a -4.

    Cheers and GL!

  20. Nedvěd11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Need some help on GK and DEF

    1. Start Leno or Forster?
    2. Start Holding or Rud? (Got Azpi..)

    Cheers

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

      Forster rudiger

      1. Nedvěd11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Forster and Rudiger

      1. Nedvěd11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

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

    Mendy (Forster)
    TAA Fofana Holding (Rudiger Lowton)
    Salah Bruno Son Jota (ESR)
    Kane Watkins Nacho

    Plans to do Rudiger and Son to Digne and Zaha this week,
    and Fofana and Nacho to Dallas and Antonio for -4 next week,
    that's good hah?

  22. Peekay
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Is this team good for BB? Question marks on my Arsenal assets

    Leno Forster
    Holding- J. Ward-Shaw-Phillips Digne
    Sallah Bruno Lingard Son Saka
    Vydra Kane Kelechi

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

      Arsenal asset is an oxymoron.

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Lucky for a Knight they no longer have Pennant. You'd have to have him!

  23. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Any better options in the same price bracket than Mendy or Lingard?

  24. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Would do any of these moves for a -4?

    a. Jota > Zaha
    b. Bamford > DCL

    Leading my ML by like 22 pts

    Cheers

    1. Mighty Banana
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Old probably do it for DCL, although I'd probably want Bamford back.

  25. tim
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Bench boost good to go?

    Martinez Fabri
    Holding Targett Veltman Mitchell Maguire
    Salah Lingard Bruno(C) Jota Greenwood
    Nacho Kane DCL

    CHEERS LADS!

    1. nurav11
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeh very set there

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

    Would you bench boost this team, and do either:

    A) Son, Lingard, Brewster > Greenwood, Ward-Prowse, Watkins (-4)
    B) Son, Lingard > Greenwood, Zaha
    C) Dont play BB

    TEAM ATM :

    Martinez
    Shaw, Castagne, Rudiger
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Jota, Lingard
    Vardy, Nacho

    Forster, Targett, Brewster, Struijk

    1. nurav11
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I like A and then BBing - other options mean I doubt you'll get much change out of the BB (but also not sure when you'd use it otherwise), any way to get DCL in?

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

        Yeah, dont know which other week to play it. Difficult to get DCL in. Have to shuffle around some more then. Cheers.

  27. Mighty Banana
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    I'll likely end up with 12 double players (of which 2/3 will be triples).

    One of them will be Watkins and I'm edging towards him being benched. Am I mad?

  28. BrutalLogiC
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Should I use free hit or just use 2 FT and save for next week

    Martinez
    Shaw Rudiger Konsa
    Bruno Salah Son Lingard
    Kane Nacho Bamford

  29. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy, Forster
    Shaw, Holding, Coleman, Philips, Coady
    Salah, Jota, Son, Bruno, Saka
    Dcl, Ihenacho, Kane

    2ft 0.5m itb, Will BB.

    A. Coady to Lindelof (roll other ft)
    B. Coady, Forster to Henderson, Mitchell

  30. cuppatea78
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    What do you reckon.

    Kane > DCL for -4?