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Man Utd v Newcastle team news: Martinez starts

26 December 2025 947 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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The festive fixture bonanza begins tonight at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Newcastle United.

The 20:00 GMT kick-off not only gets Gameweek 18 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) underway but also begins a run of 40 Premier League matches in 14 days.

TEAM NEWS

How will United get on without Bruno Fernandes? This is the first time he’s been absent from a league squad in almost exactly a year, with his last missed match ironically being Newcastle at home in December 2024. The Red Devils lost 2-0.

He’s injured and makes way from the line-up tonight but Casemiro returns from a one-match suspension to take his place.

Lisandro Martinez also comes in for his first United start in over 10 months. He replaces Leny Yoro in the only other alteration Ruben Amorim has made to the side beaten at Aston Villa.

Newcastle, meanwhile, are unchanged from the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last Saturday.

There’s no Anthony Elanga, who reportedly has an ankle injury.

Nick Pope does make his return after a month out with a groin issue but is only among the substitutes.

£4.4m FPL midfielder Lewis Miley continues at right-back.

LINE-UPS

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu, Mount, Cunha, Sesko.

Subs: Bayindir, Zirkzee, Malacia, Yoro, Fredricson, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato.

Newcastle United XI: Ramsdale, Miley, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Tonali, Ramsey, Jacob Murphy, Woltemade, Gordon.

Subs: Pope, Joelinton, Wissa, Barnes, Willock, A Murphy, Shahar, Neave, Alabi.

price change predictions
947 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 50 mins ago

    So most articles said Cunha and Gordon are probably one of the best Bruno replacements.

    Wirtz and Rogers to follow the curse?

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 49 mins ago

      With any luck!

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    2. Supersonic_
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 49 mins ago

      I hope so...

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    3. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 48 mins ago

      They probably said this over a period of more than 1 GW

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    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 48 mins ago

      Fingers crossed

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    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 44 mins ago

      The context is not only for one week though

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    6. GCHILD2K16
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 20 hours ago

      cunha was more over their next few fixtures of wolves and other not just one game against Newcastle.

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  2. Not again Shirley
    • 9 Years
    2 days, 49 mins ago

    Being greedy I guess but that really was a great chance for Dalot in the second half. Quite a few points behind in ML and could have done with those extra 6 points.

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    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 48 mins ago

      Got to score

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  3. Manani
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 47 mins ago

    which 3 newcastle to get on FH?

    was going Wolte, Gordon + defender

    now thinking defender double up instead?

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 45 mins ago

      Hall Schar Gordon

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      1. chocolove
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 43 mins ago

        This is it

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      2. tucaoneo
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 35 mins ago

        Schar 20 pointer incoming

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    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 45 mins ago

      At this rate I'd prefer Barnes only

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  4. The Knights Template
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 47 mins ago

    What’s on Pundit of Punt’s pizza?

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    1. Captain Mal
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 43 mins ago

      He bakes it in loads of hot air, that's for sure.

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    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 41 mins ago

      When he makes a good one he will tell us for sure.

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    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 40 mins ago

      Baloney, humbugs, pork pies and bullspit

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    4. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      2 days, 37 mins ago

      His ego.

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    5. pundit of punts
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 28 mins ago

      Thanks for the fanfare

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  5. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 46 mins ago

    Dalot 12 pointer on my bench. Please stay injured Hincapie.

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    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 42 mins ago

      17 you meant?

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    2. Not again Shirley
      • 9 Years
      2 days, 36 mins ago

      11

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      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        2 days, 23 mins ago

        1 bonus

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        1. Not again Shirley
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          Ah yes. Even better.

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  6. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 46 mins ago

    Who to bring in for Burnley game?

    A) Gordon
    B) Bruno G

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    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      2 days, 45 mins ago

      B

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  7. Nightcrawler
    • 6 Years
    2 days, 45 mins ago

    Top 10k EO from this game

    Cunha 31.7 two points
    woltemade 14.7 two points

    now THATS what we love to see

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  8. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 44 mins ago

    Dalot first bench, so I suppose a reasonable chance of someone missing out.

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  9. Jordan.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 44 mins ago

    dreadful from cunha,strolling around doing nothing,hardly tried a yard,awful team utd,he will be banished very quickly

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    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 42 mins ago

      Nothing new on this

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    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      In the first half he was the bright spark in a terrible team. In the second half he got tired around 60 minutes and just walked about moaning for the rest of the game after.

      Not a good pick at all right now. 0 service.

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    3. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      I never liked Cunha for his behaviour. He got red cards for nasty fouls and punching a teammate.

      So a yellow card only can be seen as an improvement.

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  10. Hutchiniho
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 43 mins ago

    Chalobah to Keane
    Or
    Anderson to Miley ?

    To free up the money

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 42 mins ago

      Wait

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    2. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 41 mins ago

      Not sure about selling top scoring defender in game. Free up funds for what?

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      1. Hutchiniho
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 39 mins ago

        Have three ft.

        Was planning on Bruno and Thiago
        To Ekitike and Cunha

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        1. chocolove
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 32 mins ago

          Good stuff

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        2. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          2 days, 29 mins ago

          So that would be a - 4 then? Ekitike and Cunha could make up for it though.

          Tough one, is there no other way to them? For example, do you have Raya?

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        3. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          2 days, 28 mins ago

          I have read this all wrong - you said OR!

          The Miley one for me

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  11. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 42 mins ago

    Fellow non owners,

    Semenyo to Cunha still on the cards?

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    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 42 mins ago

      No to Semen
      No to Cunha

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      1. Utopsis
        • 5 Years
        2 days, 40 mins ago

        That's what she said

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      2. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 days, 37 mins ago

        Yeah, I forgot about the Simon.

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    2. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 42 mins ago

      dont bother

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  12. #1 Salah Hater
    • 1 Year
    2 days, 40 mins ago

    Not a Cunha owner myself but how hasn't he got any BPS there?

    He was the sensational.

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    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 40 mins ago

      You should have kept watching past the first 30 minutes

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      1. #1 Salah Hater
        • 1 Year
        2 days, 39 mins ago

        I did. He was everywhere the entire 90. Best player on the pitch by a country mile.

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        1. Brosstan
          • 11 Years
          2 days, 37 mins ago

          I dont think fooling a few people on here to buy him with fake info will have any influence on your rank...

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          1. #1 Salah Hater
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 35 mins ago

            If you watched that game and didn't think he played well perhaps football just ain't the sport for you.

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        2. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          2 days, 37 mins ago

          OK then we watched completely different games.

          Lost possession 50% of the time, took shots when others were better placed for the pass and didn't affect the game in his final 3rd.

          Someone said it earlier - lots of effort but lacking quality.

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          1. #1 Salah Hater
            • 1 Year
            2 days, 33 mins ago

            Couldn't disagree more. A couple of poor shots but every time he got the ball he was the only Utd player trying to be positive.

            I'd argue he did the right thing being selfish instead of passing in those moments, as any other player he'd of passed to would of taken 5 touches then stopped to pass it backwards anyway.

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            1. Bennerman
              • 7 Years
              2 days, 27 mins ago

              No way

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            2. Utopsis
              • 5 Years
              2 days, 26 mins ago

              Fair enough, you are entitled to your views. But I think you'll find you're in the minority with your assessment, which should tell you something.

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              1. #1 Salah Hater
                • 1 Year
                2 days, 24 mins ago

                The vast majority on here don't actually watch football and just check the goals & assists on FPL to form their opinions so I'm not overly concerned.

                I've seen your posts here previously and don't count you in that category mate so will also respect your opinion.

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                1. Utopsis
                  • 5 Years
                  1 day, 21 hours ago

                  Fair enough mate. And thank you for being able to have a disagreement like an adult without resorting to petty insults - this site needs more people like you!

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    2. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 37 mins ago

      Even a hero cant do anythin for that depleted united squad

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    3. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 35 mins ago

      The only sensational thing he did is avoiding a red card

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  13. Hutchiniho
    • 7 Years
    2 days, 40 mins ago

    Cunha still worth the wolves - Burnley run?

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    1. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 39 mins ago

      Absolutely. Brilliant footballer.

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    2. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 33 mins ago

      Yes

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  14. Voronins Pony Tail
    • 2 Years
    2 days, 37 mins ago

    Should have stuck to my guns with Cunha, this place is a dangerous breeding ground for nonsense that becomes gospel

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    1. Utopsis
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 36 mins ago

      I've been here all week and didn't buy Cunha - play your own game and stop blaming others

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 25 mins ago

        Ditto

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      2. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 21 mins ago

        Same here. Bought Le Fee instead

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        1. Voronins Pony Tail
          • 2 Years
          2 days, 19 mins ago

          Got him too. I’m on a FH so it’s not the worst risk I’ve taken….bit it’s confirmed my thoughts on United generally and Cunha within that team.

          He is a great player playing for a below average team with a sub standard manager.

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          1. NABIL - FPL otai
            • 13 Years
            2 days, 15 mins ago

            Great work so far 🙂

            Cunha can still do the damage vs wolves but United is too depleted that we're justified to look elsewhere

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      3. Voronins Pony Tail
        • 2 Years
        2 days, 21 mins ago

        Hahaha, well done you. I bet you were tempted though. Getting him next week?

        What made you so certain, the fact that Man U are so utterly useless or had better options?

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        1. Utopsis
          • 5 Years
          1 day, 21 hours ago

          Of course I was tempted, but as I'm FH19 didn't have the pressure to get him for Newcastle. And yeah I'll almost certainly get him for Wolves

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    2. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 days, 17 mins ago

      Don't we all love a hindsight story

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    3. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 23 hours ago

      Yeah yeah thats great but no one bought him for NEW

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  15. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    2 days, 36 mins ago

    Thoughts on Gordon after that? Good pick or avoid? 90 minutes puts me off a little.

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    1. chocolove
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 34 mins ago

      Avoid all nufc attack except on FH

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      1. Drip Doctor
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 33 mins ago

        Even with bur CRY LEE wol?

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    2. The Night Trunker.
      • 2 Years
      2 days, 28 mins ago

      I'm keeping the faith.

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  16. Assisting the assister
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 31 mins ago

    Best Bruno swap now
    A. Cunha
    B. Wirtz

    Cheers!

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    1. Drip Doctor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 29 mins ago

      Too late on Wirtz imo, you wanted the Wolves fixture.

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  17. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 10 Years
    2 days, 29 mins ago

    Too reactionary to be getting Dorgu in or is he a good option?

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    1. #1 Salah Hater
      • 1 Year
      2 days, 26 mins ago

      Considering that's the first time since joining Utd he hasn't looked atrocious for the full 90, I'd say yes too reactionary.

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  18. pundit of punts
    • 12 Years
    2 days, 26 mins ago

    Folks here follow me to the hilt

    Overwhelmed with the fanfare (score check)

    😀

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 23 mins ago

      You should change your name to Cundit, in honour of Cunha

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      1. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 17 mins ago

        First 3 letters are right

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          2 days, 13 mins ago

          Well obviously the third word would need to fit the first

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  19. Rwilliams90
    • 14 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    Selling Saka for Cunha is going to backfire for quite a few people.

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    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 13 Years
      2 days, 20 mins ago

      Imagine taking a hit for Cunha...

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  20. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    2 days, 23 mins ago

    Did Hincapie train?

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    1. Bennerman
      • 7 Years
      2 days, 20 mins ago

      Yes, he did the full session, full contact, had a bath after.

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      1. Bennerman
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 14 mins ago

        Not the case, for matter of truth.

        Sarcastic response to man who wakes up and asks for news they could find on the same internet we're all on.

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  21. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 13 Years
    2 days, 20 mins ago

    Score check a la PoP?

    0 from 0

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    1. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      2 days, 16 mins ago

      Same. Probably about as good as it could have got

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  22. Punned It
      2 days, 13 mins ago

      First FH19 tinker:

      Pickford
      Keane, Dalot, Dorgu, Hall
      Grealish, Szobo, Gruno
      Haaland, Ekitiké, Woltemade
      (Dubravka, Cunha, Palmer, Chalobah)

      Bit kneejerky on Dorgu, and mids aren't really sparking joy.

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      1. tucaoneo
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 11 mins ago

        That's some expensive bench

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        1. Punned It
            2 days, 9 mins ago

            I temporarily feel like punting on Palmer, but I'm also afraid to commit!

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        2. #1 Salah Hater
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 9 mins ago

          You're spending 10.4m on Cole Palmer just to bench him for Grealish? What am I reading...

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      2. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        2 days, 11 mins ago

        Cunha looks the perfect Bruno replacement. Lots of pointing, moaning and cheap fouls. Just needs to miss a few pens and find some fantasy points from nowhere

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        1. Bennerman
          • 7 Years
          2 days, 10 mins ago

          Hilarious.

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          1. Bennerman
            • 7 Years
            2 days, 9 mins ago

            Most chances created in Premier League: stats last several years.

            Can't argue.

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      3. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        2 days, 10 mins ago

        How close are Man U to actually being good again? Obviously they need a top draw keeper and striker, who else?

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        1. #1 Salah Hater
          • 1 Year
          2 days, 7 mins ago

          A manager with a functioning brain?

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          1. The Bandit
            • 15 Years
            2 days ago

            I think it would’ve been easier to criticise his subs if he hadn’t won the game and kept a clean sheet.

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            1. #1 Salah Hater
              • 1 Year
              1 day, 23 hours ago

              I meant overall, not just tonight. How he's still in a job just shows how far the standards have fallen at Utd.

              Tonight the only reason they won that game was due to how poor Newcastle were going forward

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        2. fedolefan
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          I think it feels like they need to come up with a solution depending on the opponent. In general the dominant teams have a way of playing that can handle most opponents. Which is why they draw against Everton, West Ham, beat Newcastle etc. It’s the manager more than anything. They barely had any possession in the 2 nd half today at home.

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      4. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 13 Years
        2 days, 10 mins ago

        At this rate, might keep Semenyo after all and do Esteve to Dorgu instead..

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      5. Taegugk Warrior
        • 7 Years
        2 days, 6 mins ago

        A. Bring in Keane, hall or dorgu..?
        B. Is Cunha stil god replacement for BrunoF..?

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      6. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        1 day, 23 hours ago

        Missed the game. How did Cunha look? Was it a mistake to get him for Bruno?

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        1. The Bandit
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          Busy, energetic, up for it, rubbish.

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          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            1 day, 23 hours ago

            Wolves next at least

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        2. Jordan.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          dreadful,looks like it is,wolves next though

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        3. #1 Salah Hater
          • 1 Year
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          He was outstanding. G/A merchants will disagree but you asked how he looked, not how many FPL points he got.

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        4. Count Olaf
          • 1 Year
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          Manchester United did a lot of defending, so he didn't get many chances. But the next three are so good that you have to keep him I think.

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          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            1 day, 23 hours ago

            Thanks, yeah not too bothered yet, although maybe Mbuemo and Bruno out is a blow a bit too big for Uniteds offense

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        5. Bob.
          • 15 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          He was great in the first half and quite involved. Fancy him to do well against Wolves

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          1. Royal5
            • 14 Years
            1 day, 23 hours ago

            Fingers crossed. Should have pens as well.

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            1. Bob.
              • 15 Years
              1 day, 23 hours ago

              I won't even count the second half it was attack Vs defense

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      7. Count Olaf
        • 1 Year
        1 day, 23 hours ago

        If Gabriel is back, who would you sacrifice to get him?
        A) Semenyo
        B) Thiago

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        1. Bobby Digital
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          B

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          1. Count Olaf
            • 1 Year
            1 day, 23 hours ago

            Interesting, thanks. I thought Semenyo having Chelsea and Arsenal as his next two fixtures and being potentially close to a tranfser would make him a sell. Any reason you'd keep him?

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            1. Bobby Digital
              • 8 Years
              1 day, 23 hours ago

              Thiago is worse

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              1. Count Olaf
                • 1 Year
                1 day, 23 hours ago

                Ok, got it, thanks.

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      8. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 23 hours ago

        Correct in thinking this is last gw to play 1st FH?

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        1. g40steve
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 22 hours ago

          Apologies FFS I forgot the first rule, don’t feed the TROLL 😉

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      9. FPL Blow-In
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 day, 23 hours ago

        Yuck, just seen both Vicario and Minteh are dropping. Minteh won’t impact my SV but Vicario will… might use my ft on him

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        1. Hutchiniho
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 23 hours ago

          When do drops affect the SV ?

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