Our Manchester United Team Preview article takes an in-depth look at their prospects ahead of the new Fantasy EPL season. These hints and tips will provide essential information to enable you to get ahead of your Draft League competition during the pre-season!
We outline the prospects of each team for the upcoming season, highlight all major signings, give a predicted starting eleven for each team, and also a projection of the top scoring players for each team for the new season. Check back for regular updates to these Team Preview articles!
Next in our Team Previews is 90’s football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s Manchester United side. Having taken over in December 2018 as interim Manager, Solskjær was made the permanent boss in March 2019, but how will his Manchester United team fair this season?
👹 Manchester United Team Preview 👹
Last Season
Last season was one of the most unsuccessful one’s in recent history; for many reasons. Jose Mourinho was sacked midseason, opening the door to Solskjær; the clubs 5th manager in as many years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. The fans unrest with executive vice-chairman Ed Wardward continued. We even saw a plane fly a banner over a United fixture reading “Ed Woodward a specialist in failure.” As unrest grew with Woodward, there was also unrest in the ranks as the season-long story of star player and World Cup winner Paul Pogba being disruptive rumbled on. Finally, and most disappointingly, United finished up outside Champions League qualification in 6th place.
Despite his inconsistent form Paul Pogba was the outstanding United performer racking up 474 Fantrax points averaging 13.51 points per game. The other two highest-scoring performers were Marcus Rashford (324.5 points) and Romelu Lukaku (263.5 points). But reader, let’s put this into context; Rashford and Lukaku ranked 43rd and 64th in the overall league standings for Fantrax points scored. I’m sure you’d agree, this is hardly good enough for the caliber of player? New recruit Aaron Wan-Bissaka would have ranked 3rd highest point scorer for United last season with 316.75 points. Wan-Bissaka was playing in defense for a below mid-table side; just for context again.
Top Scoring 18/19 Players
- Paul Pogba: 473 points
- Marcus Rashford: 324.5 points
- Romelu Lukaku: 263.5 points
New Signings
Two new signings have been added in Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But we expect plenty more to come, as United continue to be linked with literally every star player across Europe. The likes of Harry Maguire, as well as midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Bruno Fernandes are all possible signings before the summer transfer window shuts at 5pm BST on 8th August. Paulo Dybala is widely expected to join in a swap deal for Romelu Lukaku!
So what of the two signings already made? James, bought from Championship outfit Swansea, will not be particularly well known. His performances in the Championship were promising but not eye-catching; with 4 goals and 7 assists from the wing in 28 appearances. However, look beyond James‘ statistics, it is his outright pace that will get Fantrax Fantasy Managers intrigued; make no mistake reader, James is fast, seriously fast. When considering James as part of your Draft Strategy, we’d recommend keeping James in your back pocket as a ‘wildcard’ midfield option; targeting him as a late midfield choice.
Wan-Bissaka comes to Old Trafford with a year’s Premier League experience. He proved himself as tier 1 defender in Fantrax having ranked 13th highest defender for points with 316.75. Wan-Bissaka is very likely to make the right-back slot his own, and as such we’d highly recommend looking towards Wan-Bissaka as a 3rd + choice in this years Draft.
Premier League Team Prospects
If Ole Gunnar Solskjær can get matters resolved with Paul Pogba, and finish of the summer transfer market with some astute signings; then a top 4 finish is not out of the question. With the likes or Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Daniel James, and Anthony Martial the Red Devils will have more than enough quality in the final third to challenge for Champions League qualification. The addition of Paulo Dybala would be such a massive coup for United. Lukaku isn’t suited to them anymore, so gaining Dybala in a swap deal for him would massively increase their prospects.
However, it is more the fact that Chelsea have lost Eden Hazard and Arsenal, well, Arsenal continue to be Arsenal; that gives us more confidence in backing United for a top 4 finish.
Predicted League Position: 4th
Projected Manchester United Starting Eleven
- McTominay could start in central midfield ahead of the aging Matic
Projected Top Scorers
🎯 Paul Pogba 🎯
Pogba is arguably one of the best footballers in the world, let alone the Premier League. Which is why it is so incredibly frustrating for Fantrax managers desperately weighing up their Pogba draft strategy. We all know the scenario so well: don’t draft him, and there is the potential he could turn on the style and win the league for a rival manager. Draft him, and Pogba turns out average performances most of the time with the odd world class one keeping you locked into retaining him all season but never mounting a challenge for your Draft league! We feel your pain reader. So, let’s keep it simple. Pogba scored 473 Fantrax points last season (at an average of 13.51 points per game) ranking him 9th highest scorer in Fantrax. And, Pogba did all this without trying.
Draft him. At least preventing another rival manager from winning the league with him.
🛡 Aaron Wan-Bissaka 🛡
We are big fans of Wan-Bissaka. Wan-Bissaka took the Premier League by storm last season making the right-back slot for Crystal Palace his own. Bursting onto the scene in the opening game week, Wan-Bissaka bagged a massive 25 points, sending Fantrax and all other Fantasy Football platform managers into a complete frenzy! With 3 assists en route to a total points score of 316.75, Wan-Bissaka was the 13th highest scoring defender on Fantrax and confirmed his status as a tier 1 defender.
More of the same is expected from the young Englishman this season; his attacking instincts will provide plenty of key passes and successful crosses!
⚽️ Marcus Rashford ⚽️
It was a bit of a strange season for the young English striker Rashford. Having started off as a bit part player under Mourinho, Rashford had a purple patch in the middle of the season, before gently tailing off towards the end of the season. With 10 league goals and 6 assists from 33 appearances, Rashford was United’s 2nd highest point scorer with 324.5 Fantrax points at an average of 9.83 points per game.
Rashford will go into this season as United’s main striker, as Lukaku looks set to leave the club and Rashford was rewarded with a new 4-year deal over the summer. We fully expect Rashford to be at the center of everything attacking for Manchester United this season. As such, Rashford will be an essential pick in this years Draft. We’d rank Rashford as a first, to second choice striking option; depending on your draft position.
🎲 Honourable Mention: Anthony Martial 🎲
If Ole Gunnar Solskjær is unable to sign a top quality wide man, Anthony Martial is a great option for a pick up towards the end of the Draft. The young Frenchman averaged 9.76 points per game having scored 10 goals and picking up 2 assists over 27 appearances. Keep an eye on this Martial; the young forward could do pretty well this season!
More Team Previews: | Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brighton | Burnley | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Leicester | Liverpool | Manchester City | Newcastle | Norwich City | Sheffield United | Southampton | Spurs | Watford | West Ham | Wolves
Check out our Fantasy EPL Draft Rankings: Goalkeepers | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards | Top 100 |
Follow The Fantasy Football Chaps on Twitter @TheFFChaps for all the latest!
Fantrax was one of the fastest growing fantasy sites of 2018 and we’re not slowing down any time soon! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.