The opening fixtures are just over a week away and as much as Reds will be hoping for United to have successful campaign, another competition is also on the horizon. Like the real football season, doing well can mean bragging rights, a round at the pub – perhaps even a cash kitty at the end. The stakes couldn’t be higher… I’m talking, of course, about Fantasy Football.
In case you haven’t heard already, utdreport have set up our very own Fantasy Football League, thanks to Footy Accumulators’ Fantasy Hub app. With that in mind, we thought we’d do a round-up of the best United players to put in your fantasy team this year.
1. Anthony Martial
Every fantasy football team needs a start striker – someone you can rely on to get you goals and therefore points most weeks. Coming off the back of his best ever competitive season, the first name on this list is Anthony Martial.
The Frenchman rung up his biggest tally yet last season, with 23 goals and 12 assists in all competitions – all this with a fair handful of games missed through injury. Martial has been criticised for his hot and cold nature in the past, but 19/20 saw deliver his most consistent season yet.
He has to do it again this season, of course, but Martial finally looks the real number nine we’ve been waiting for. At £8m, he’s well worth the fee for his return and is only set to better his tally with United’s attacking players well and truly clicking.
2. Bruno Fernandes
Speaking of free-firing forwards, if you’re looking to go in on one or two premium player or marquee signings, if you will, it only makes sense for the ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ to be at the top of your list.
Bruno Fernandes has been revolutionary ever since he joined United in January last season and better still, with his virtually a goal or assist every game, he’s a serial point scorer. As alluded to, his link-up with the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford has been sensational to watch and will likely only get better in 20/21.
For someone of such regular output, you’ll be glad to know that despite closely rivalling the likes of Kevin de Bruyne in total contributions, he’s actually the cheaper option of the two at £7.9m. If, like many, de Bruyne was first in your line-up, Bruno is the ideal swap-out if you need an extra £0.2 to squeeze in an upgrade elsewhere.
3. Mason Greenwood
If you’re looking for a slightly more affordable option, you won’t go far wrong with ‘Starboy’ himself, Mason Greenwood. Even after his price-bump from last year, at £7.5m, Greenwood is arguably the best value for money fantasy player you’ll find anywhere in the league.
Greenwood ended his debut campaign with 17 goals and 5 assists in all competitions, equalling the club record for most goals scored by a teenager in their first season. In case you need some perspective, the previous holders were George Best, Brian Kidd and all-time leading goalscorer, Wayne Rooney. Generational.
Whilst he is a obviously more expensive option than in his previous season, Greenwood looks to have made that right-hand side his own – even taking up the number 11 shirt to boot – and for a player who scores so frequently, it’s money well spent.
4. Donny van de Beek
Last but not least, with the recent announcement of his signing, Donny van de Beek lands himself as both the final and cheapest option on this list. Setting you back just £6.9m, the Dutchman is an excellent way to budget-saving option, whilst still promising plenty of point potential.
Although he is not an out and out goalscorer, van de Beek’s numbers are exciting for someone in the heart of midfield. 18/19 was his best statistical season, contributing 17 goals and 13 assists in that wonderful Ajax team that made it all the way to the Champions League final.
Even with a smaller return this year, the wider stats show just how creative he can be – and keep in mind, Solskjaer is convinced he can play Pogba, Fernandes and van de Beek in the same midfield.
Once again, if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option to complete your midfield whilst still posing a serious threat, Donny van de Beek might just be one of the shrewdest Manchester United signings both in real life and in Fantasy!
Join the utdreport league
This list got your appetite up? Join utdreport’s official Fantasy Football League now in time for the new season and face off against our writers and other utdreport readers. All you need to do is download the Fantasy Hub app – available on Apple and Google Play stores – and enter the pin: 155853. There are prizes to be claimed for the top three teams in the league, so start building your fantasy team now!