A dismal evening at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) front saw Manchester United slip up again at home, as Soungoutou long‘s (£5.0m) late strike earned West Ham United a draw.
Here are our scouting notes from Old Trafford.
THE LIGHT INJURY LATEST
Ruben Amorim made three changes to his starting line-up at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese entered, somewhat surprisingly Ayden heaven (£3.8 million) for Matthijs de Ligt (£5.0 million).
The change saw the youngster play in the middle of the back three, but Heaven struggled Callum Wilson (£5.8m) and was withdrawn at half-time after receiving an early booking.
Amorim explained why De Ligt was not in the selection before kick-off.
“It’s hard because when you see that position, especially this year, it’s just Harry [Maguire] and Matta played in those positions. It’s a blow. He plays really well.
“It’s just a small thing for Matta. I expect to have Matthijs in the next match.” [at Wolves].” – Ruben Amorim
Matheus Cunha (£7.9m) returned after a two-match absence with a head injury and collected three shots but generally looked rusty throughout.
BRUNO FRUSTRATION
Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) may have been fit to start at Old Trafford, but there was little reward for Fantasy managers.
The Portuguese playmaker started in central midfield against the Hammers, but when Cunha left the pitch in the 77th minute he was thrust into the right number 10 role.
He finished the match top of the pile for both shots (six), including one that flew around the outside of the post, and created chances (five), but netted just four points, having benched DefCon.
Fernandes has now hit the woodwork three times this season, the most of any player.
Elsewhere, Bryan Mbeumo (£8.6m) fired a shot into the far corner, which then fell over Alfonso Areola (£4.3 million), while Joshua Zirkzee (£5.8m) after one was taken off the line.
However, United eventually took the lead through an unlikely source Casemiro‘s ( £5.5m ) shot from outside the penalty area was deflected into the path of Diogo Dalot (£4.4m), who took a tap and swept home from close range.
But this was a missed opportunity for United, who failed to capitalize on their chance to climb to fifth in the table.
“We were close to the penalty area, but then the crosses were not good. The qualities of the players who are sometimes inside the penalty area are not enough to score from that position.” – Ruben Amorim
BOWEN “GREAT”
As for West Ham, Nuno Espirito Santo was already without Lucas Paqueta (£5.9 million) and Crysencio Summerville (£5.5 million) for the trip to Old Trafford.
In a surprising move, he also decided to drop Igor Julio (£4.5 million), Luis Guilherme (£4.9 million), and Niclas Fullkrug (£5.6m) from the matchday squad.
Nevertheless, a decent performance followed and West Ham have now taken eight points from the last five games.
Jarrod Bowen (£7.6m) was the spark, claiming the assist for Magassa’s equalizer when he whipped in a header from a corner. He was taken off the line, but ended up in front of his teammate, who managed to end up in an almost empty net.
All but one of Bowen’s attacking players are away this season, with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion next.
“I have to give a special mention to Jarrod Bowen. We are very happy to have him as captain. The way he led by example, the way he created so many problems for Man United’s defence, the chances he created and then got the header that led to the goal. He played a great game today.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
It’s also worth noting that all four of the West Ham members have picked up DefCons, as well as teammates Magassa and Matthew Fernandes (£5.5m):
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