Fantasy captain pick: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals how he intends to rest Bruno Fernandes
With the dreaded Gameweek 18 approaching, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed news about a possible rest for Bruno Fernandes.
Last Updated: January 7, 2021 10:01 pm
Fernandes could be rested
With an intriguing couple of Premier League game weeks approaching in Fantasy Football, the selection of captain is a talking point which is sure to perpetuate through plenty of player group chats.
With Liverpool not playing in Gameweek 18 and one of the top captain picks in Mohamed Salah, therefore, missing along with Sadio Mane, many Fantasy managers have a decision to make as to who they should pick as captain.
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Diogo Jota of Liverpool FC celebrates his second goal with his team-mate Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah during the UEFA Champions League Group D stage match between Atalanta BC and Liverpool FC at Gewiss Stadium on November 03, 2020 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
One of the most popular picks this season has been Manchester United’s Portuguese attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes. The former Sporting Lisbon talismanic figure has picked up a serious haul of 130 points. Which of course had he been kept as captain throughout the season would be doubled to a startling 260.
One of the reasons for his massive points total, along with his brilliant goal contribution in both assisting and scoring, is his regular selection from manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. This does however prove problematic considering that a rest is likely to arise in the coming weeks and the Norwegian coach has been speaking as to how he plans on doing so.
“He wants to play every game, Bruno. But of course, it’s a long season. Let’s see what team we come with on Saturday so I’ll have a chat with him about how he feels,” said Solskjaer.
🗣️ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on resting Bruno Fernandes this weekend: “He wants to play every game, Bruno. But of course, it’s a long season. Let’s see what team we come with on Saturday so I’ll have a chat with him about how he feels.”#FFScout #FPL #GW18 #BGW18 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/aNeMGvcNPF
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) January 6, 2021
Manchester United are at home to Watford in the third round of the FA Cup and the match against a lower league opposition presents an opportunity for Solskjaer to rotate his squad meaning that a Fernandes could be fresh and fit for Gameweek 18 as Manchester United take on Burnley at Turf Moor.
Gameweek 18 problems
There are more than just Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane that present issues for Fantasy managers as Gameweek 18 approaches. With just 12 of the 20 teams in action, plenty of sides that are heavy inclusions for managers are absent.
Southampton’s dynamic duo of Danny Ings and Che Adams along with defensive stalwarts Kyle Walker-Peters, Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard will all need to be replaced or sent to the bench.
Despite their poor form, anyone with significant investment in Chelsea players like Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner and Kurt Zouma will need to make some necessary changes.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Thiago Silva of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Ben Chilwell after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge on November 07, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Also, any left-field West Ham additions such as Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Aaron Cresswell will not feature. And finally, the enigmatic Leeds United who seems to score goals for fun whilst conceding plenty are also out.
This leaves the opportunity to go hard on Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City assets in addition to the Everton players such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
Frank Lampard provides fitness updates on Ziyech, Silva, Pulisic & more ahead of Chelsea vs Liverpool
Jose Mourinho confirms Gareth Bale likely to miss out vs Liverpool/ Tanganga expected to be out for a couple of weeks
This article was edited by Josh Barker.
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| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester United FC | 19 | 11 | 40 |
| 2 | Manchester City FC | 18 | 18 | 38 |
| 3 | Leicester City FC | 19 | 14 | 38 |
| 4 | Liverpool FC | 19 | 15 | 34 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 18 | 16 | 33 |
| 6 | Everton FC | 17 | 7 | 32 |
| 7 | West Ham United FC | 19 | 5 | 32 |
| 8 | Aston Villa FC | 17 | 13 | 29 |
| 9 | Chelsea FC | 19 | 10 | 29 |
| 10 | Southampton FC | 18 | 5 | 29 |
| 11 | Arsenal FC | 19 | 4 | 27 |
| 12 | Leeds United | 18 | -4 | 23 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace FC | 19 | -11 | 23 |
| 14 | Wolverhampton Wanderers FC | 19 | -8 | 22 |
| 15 | Burnley FC | 18 | -12 | 19 |
| 16 | Newcastle United FC | 19 | -14 | 19 |
| 17 | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 19 | -7 | 17 |
| 18 | Fulham FC | 18 | -12 | 12 |
| 19 | West Bromwich Albion | 19 | -28 | 11 |
| 20 | Sheffield United FC | 19 | -22 | 5 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 13 |
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 12 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 12 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 11 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 11 |
| Calvert-Lewin, Dominic | Everton FC | 11 |
| Bamford, Patrick | Leeds United | 10 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace FC | 8 |
| Wilson, Callum | Newcastle United FC | 8 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 7 |
| Watkins, Ollie | Aston Villa FC | 7 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 7 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 6 |
| Maddison, James | Leicester City FC | 6 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City FC | 6 |
| Abraham, Tammy | Chelsea FC | 6 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 5 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 5 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellerin, Hector | Arsenal FC | 0 | 6 |
| Gallagher, Conor | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 6 |
| Bissouma, Yves | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 5 |
| Egan, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 5 |
| Hayden, Isaac | Newcastle United FC | 0 | 6 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Reid, Bobby | Fulham FC | 0 | 5 |
| Doucoure, Abdoulaye | Everton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Romeu, Oriol | Southampton FC | 0 | 5 |
| Dunk, Lewis | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | 1 | 4 |
| Phillips, Kalvin | Leeds United | 0 | 5 |
| Cash, Matty | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 5 |
| Evans, Jonny | Leicester City FC | 0 | 5 |
| Lundstram, John | Sheffield United FC | 1 | 4 |
| Kante, N`Golo | Chelsea FC | 0 | 5 |
| Milivojevic, Luka | Crystal Palace FC | 1 | 4 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 0 | 4 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 0 | 4 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 0 | 4 |
| Tielemans, Youri | Leicester City FC | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Kane, Harry | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 11 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City FC | 9 |
| Grealish, Jack | Aston Villa FC | 8 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United FC | 7 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur FC | 6 |
| Rashford, Marcus | Manchester United FC | 5 |
| Robertson, Andrew | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Digne, Lucas | Everton FC | 5 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City FC | 4 |
| Ward-Prowse, James | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Werner, Timo | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| Adams, Che | Southampton FC | 4 |
| Harrison, Jack | Leeds United | 4 |
| Chilwell, Benjamin | Chelsea FC | 4 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa FC | 4 |
| Cresswell, Aaron | West Ham United FC | 4 |
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 3 |
| Ings, Danny | Southampton FC | 3 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City FC | 3 |
| Firmino, Roberto | Liverpool FC | 3 |
