Manchester United hosted Chelsea in a Super Sunday battle and here’s a review of the game from a Manchester United fantasy point of view.
David de Gea
Looked a lot more confident than at the end of last season and whilst none of his seven saves were stunners they were all dealt with calmly and at only 5.5 million he could be a money saver on the premium keepers. A word of warning though conceding seven shots on target at home isn’t necessarily conducive to sustained clean sheets.
Verdict: Watchlist
Aaron Wan Bissaka
A superb debut from the young right back saw United look more secure at right back and AWB gained two bonus points (and the top tackle bonus in Sky) and like de Gea if we get confirmation United look like they can keep clean sheets regularly he is a must.
Verdict: Watchlist (buy asap in Sky)
Harry Maguire
Another superb debut as the former Leicester centre back looked a calm and authoritative presence at the heart of defence. The only worry would be will United always sit in and play on the counter attack? If not and Maguire is forced to defend higher up the pitch there may be trouble ahead.
Verdict: Watchlist
Victor Lindelof
I said on my 30in30 appearance in pre season that the Swede is the equal of Stones, Matip, Otamendi as a 2nd centre back and that opinion was reinforced on Sunday as Lindelof dealt with everything and was lovely on the ball. However with the Swede less likely to venture into midfield and at the same price as Wan Bissaka and Maguire his appeal is reduced unless he’s still available in a draft game.
Verdict: Avoid – unless you want a differential or play draft.
Luke Shaw
Oh dear. Easily United’s weak link as Pedro ran him ragged and most of Chelsea’s early chances came down United’s left. Shaw also offered nothing in attack – what else is new.
Verdict: Avoid
Andreas Pereira
A tidy enough performance and a great ball for Martial’s goal. Still not quite sure what kind of player he is and certainly not an FPL option
Verdict: Avoid
Scott Mctominay
The young Scot has emerged as an unlikely leadership figure of the squad and played well enough but like Pereira it’s hard to work out what kind of player he is and neither of them have ever seen a safe pass they didn’t like the look of. A really likeable young lad and much to admire but not an FPL option.
Verdict: Avoid
Paul Pogba
The French World Cup winner and professional baiter of Sky pundits is thankfully still at the club…for now. Pogba has got his head down and hasn’t taken the piss out of the club like Lukaku did. Pogba was subdued early on and seemed unsure whether to sit in and help Mctominay and Pereira or burst forward and create. For those of us who love seeing Souness, Neville and Jose foaming at the mouth his second half brace of assists were sublime. The first – a long floated through ball to Rashford was glorious, and the second a marauding run through midfield to James, showcased the power and finesse Pogba has up his sleeve and if the Frenchman stays at the club he could be dynamite at 8.5 million.
Verdict: Buy – after the European transfer window closes.
Jesse Lingard
Busy enough and did well for Martial’s goal. Doubts remain over his game time and productivity in fantasy terms and can be ignored.
Verdict: Avoid
Marcus Rashford
A player I’ve had doubts over but his performance on Sunday was superb and if he’s given a run in the team in the forward positions he could become a serious player. In fantasy terms it’s still a wait and see given he’s going occupy the left wing berth. The 8.5 million price is an awkward one and requires a reshuffle to go up from the Wilson, Jimenez, Jota range and whilst he’s a significant saving on Aguero and Kane he’s not consistent enough yet or a captain option. He could however be a better option than Lacazette, Firmino, Vardy if he stays in this form.
Verdict: Watchlist
Anthony Martial
The out of position midfielder was the only United player I had seriously considered pre season and that’s consideration has gone up a notch after Sunday. A poachers goal and a great touch in the build up to James’ goal were one thing. Solskjaer gushing over him post match and saying the nine role is his to lose makes him must own asap. Incidentally both Rashford and Martial have now scored against every top 6 team despite their young ages. Romelu Lukaku sent as many tweets mocking pre season training stats (1) as he scored goals against the top six. Have fun in Milan Romelu.
Verdict: Buy for GW3
Daniel James
A lovely moment as he scored and the rest of the teams reaction shows he’s a popular player in the group. However the awkward 6 million price and his lack of starts so far means he’s a wait and see for now.
Verdict: Watchlist
Mason Greenwood
Limited minutes and could be taking up a precious United spot on our benches soon!
Verdict: Get an exit plan ready if he’s the 4.5 million forward on your bench.
Juan Mata
Limited minutes again and should be a bit part player
Verdict: Avoid
The Opposition – Chelsea
A more than decent performance and they’ll feel disappointed that early shots by Abraham and Emerson hit the woodwork. Chelsea have a great run of games now and if Lampard adds a bit of steel and experience – Rudiger, Willian etc they could still be assets at bargain prices soon.
Verdict: Abraham, Barkley, Mount, Pedro and Emerson to be added to the watchlist.
The Pundits
The Sky TV coverage saw Gary Neville, Graeme Souness, Jamie Carragher and Jose Mourinho engage in some genuinely fascinating tactical chat and the four of them will make engrossing viewing this season. However it’s long been hard to watch Souness when Pogba and United are playing, and Jose seems slightly less poisonous in the pundit seat than he did in the dugout. Gary Neville is fast becoming unwatchable when United are on given his obvious pain at the clubs actions combined with a bizarre inability to criticise the Glazers. He also views the club through the prism of playing for the club at its dominant best with the greatest manager of all time at the helm. The Sunday morning diatribe on twitter at “muppets” criticising the owners was hypocritical at best given his hysterical meltdown live on TV after the defeats to Everton and Manchester City last season. And the subsequent abuse of former team mate John O’Kane was also not a good luck and whilst Neville remains the outstanding pundit on TV he might need to be taken off United games for now.