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Man United 2-1 Aston Villa
- Goals: Anthony Martial (£ 8.7 million), Bruno Fernandes (£ 11.2 million) | Bertrand Traoré (£ 5.9 million)
- Attend: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£ 5.3 million), Paul Pogba (£ 7.7 million) | Jack Grealish (£ 7.7 million)
- Extra points: Fernandes x3, Grealish x2, Wan-Bissaka x1
PAY THE PENALTY
Manchester United’s ability to win penalties continues to underpin Bruno fernandes‘(£ 11.2m) Fantasy Premier League credentials ahead of their enticing streak of matches.
The Portuguese international, now owned by 50.4% of coaches around the world, took his fifth penalty of the campaign in a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, the sixth in which he took over the first 17 match weeks.
Only Jamie Vardy (£ 10.2 million) has taken responsibility for more penalties (seven) in the Premier League than Fernandes (six) so far. Beyond that, since Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United (December 2018), his team had been awarded (27) and scored (21) the most penalties.
“(Fernandes) wants to take penalties and that’s the first thing. You are never afraid of failing. He has been very confident and is a confident man on the spot. “- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
As a result, Manchester United’s established penchant for winning shots from the spot could possibly play a role in captaincy decisions over the next two weeks of play, when the Red Devils play three times.
More importantly, two of his next three opponents have been particularly helpful in the area this season. Liverpool and Fulham, both facing Manchester United in Double Gameweek 19, have conceded five penalties in 2020/21, second more behind Leeds (six) at the time of writing.
Since Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford in match week seven, Solskjaer’s men have been undefeated, winning eight of their last 10 league games, preparing for a very interesting encounter at Anfield in late this month …
URGENT DECISIONS
A new role for Paul pogba (£ 7.7m) against Aston Villa pushed Marcus rashford (£ 9.5m) in a relatively unknown role on Friday night, perhaps throwing a wrench into prep work for Blank Gameweek 18 and Double Gameweek 19.
Solskjaer gave the Frenchman a chance to operate on the left side of offensive midfield, where Rashford has produced some of his best work since Project Restart.
Having spent much of 2020 sitting in Manchester United’s pair of midfielders, Pogba was hugely impressive in a broader and more advanced position. He had more shots in the area than anyone on the field, attempted more passes than any other colleague (48) and won the penalty that led to victory.
“It is getting better and better. I think he played well today. They are a physical side and Paul is one of those guys who can get hold of him for us. “- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Pogba is sure to like his chances of staying in the left position for next week’s trip to Burnley, which could put him in consideration for construction teams in blank and double play weeks.
Of course we also have to assess the impact on Rashford, who was an eighth Premier League home game of their last nine without a goal.
In an unknown role on the right side of the attack, the Englishman was arguably the least impressive of Manchester United’s four forwards against Aston Villa, closely marked by Matt Targett (4.6 million pounds) and a little selfish too at key moments.
It should be remembered that Rashford has been considerably more effective away from home anyway, which bodes well in light of Manchester United’s next three away games.
In nine Premier League games at Old Trafford this season, the 23-year-old has only one attacking return. In just six road games, Rashford has found the net six times and added four assists.
Anthony Martial (£ 8.7m) has fewer excuses for his home form, considering he only has one league goal at Old Trafford and one also on the road.
It seems like a much less viable asset to Blank and Double Gameweek based on their initial credentials anyway. Edinson cavani (£ 7.8m) received a three-match ban from the FA, but two of those will be spent on cup competitions. Week 17 was the only league game the Uruguayan had to miss and will be available for the week 18 trip to Burnley.
GREAT DEAL
Just when the Fantasy managers were starting to lose faith in him, Jack grealish (£ 7.7 million) posted a score of seven points in another impressive performance for Aston Villa.
In the five games leading up to Week 17, the midfield master was outscored 42 points to 19 by his colleague. Anwar El Ghazi (£ 5.8 million).
Grealish, of course, has been unlucky enough to not receive more assists in that time thanks to a whimsical ending of Ollie watkins (6.1 million pounds sterling).
As is often the case at FPL, good luck returned at Old Trafford. Grealish capitalized on a lapse in the concentration of Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£ 5.3 million) to cross into the area in the second half.
The ball went through a multitude of bodies, but managed to pass without being touched by Douglas luiz (£ 4.9m) before Bertrand traore (£ 5.9m) packed it at home.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka; Fred (Tuanzebe 90 + 4 ‘), McTominay (Matic 65’); Pogba, B. Fernandes (D James 87 ‘), Rashford; Martial.
Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi (Davis 84 ′), Grealish, B Traoré (J Ramsey 79 ′); Watkins.
Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 17
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