We're teaming up with knowledgeable fans ahead of the 2015/2016 Fantasy Premier League season to get some tips on their players potential, starting lineups, transfers and much more. This article will focus Premier League giants Manchester United who under Louis van Gaal have spent big this summer and will be looking to bring the title back to Old Trafford.
United fan
Supaafast (as he's known on Reddit) has provided us with his expert insight in to the club and hopefully his predictions and player analysis will help you choose which United players should make your FPL teams. He will also be at hand to answer any of your Manchester United related questions in the comments section. Without further ado, here's our United team guide and player tips for the 2015/16 season.
OPENING FIXTURES
Tottenham Hotspur (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Newcastle (H)
Swansea (A)
Liverpool(H)
SET PIECE TAKERS
Penalties: Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata
Freekicks: Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata
Corners: Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata
TRANSFER TARGETS
Defender - Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi (Transfer rumour)
Striker - Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robert Lewandowski (Transfer rumours)
PREDICTED LINEUPS
De Gea
Valencia Smalling Rojo Blind
Schweinsteiger Schneiderlin
Depay Mata Di Maria
Rooney
MANCHESTER UNITED'S DEFENSIVE RECORD
There was a lot of belief that Manchester United were poor defensively last season. The truth of the matter is United finished with the 4th best defensive record in the league. They only conceded one more goal than Arsenal. This could be attributed to the ability of David De Gea who was sublime at times last season or possibly down to the back line who are finally finding their feet in the Premier League. De Gea kept 11 clean sheets last season and will be looking to improve upon that this season.
GOALKEEPER ANALYSIS
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David De Gea (5.5m) - If the Spaniard stays in the Premier League he's guaranteed to be a starter for United, however his transfer to Real Madrid seems to be quieting down in the press suggesting that De Gea may just stay in Manchester.
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VERDICT: If it's an expensive keeper you're after than David De Gea is a more than adequate option.
Victor Valdes (5.0m) - Louis van Gaal has said that Valdes would be leaving this summer due to not playing in an U21 game. A good keeper but even if he does stay he won't get ahead of De Gea.
VERDICT: Avoid, will be second choice and quite possibly on his way out the door.
Sergio Romero (5.0m) - It's yet to be seen who Romero is the replacement for, is he going to take Valdes' spot on the bench or will he take De Gea's place in the starting lineup if he leaves for Real Madrid. If De Gea does stay than Romero has little chance of playing if he leaves you'll have to be aware of who United bring in.
VERDICT: For now we'd suggest avoidng him, he's not going to play much whilst De Gea is around.
Anders Lindegaard (4.5m) - Very unlikely to play even if De Gea goes, poor guy.
VERDICT: It'd be best if you avoided him.
WHICH MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
It's quite hard to pick the defenders that will start for Manchester United this season but Chris Smalling is the standout candidate. He's been named as the third choice captain and last season was the highest scoring Manchester United defender. There has been a lot of talk that United are going to bring in one or two defenders which could see Smalling pushed out of the starting lineup but with the current pool of defenders available we'd recommend the Englishman.
DEFENDER ANALYSIS
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Chris Smalling (6.0m) - Currently a nailed on starter for Louis van Gaal but keep an eye on new signings as they could push Smalling out of the team. He's a threat from set pieces and has developed into a fantastic player.
VERDICT: His price tag seems expensive and there are better options around but if you insist on a United defender he's the man.
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Marcos Rojo (5.5m) - Van Gaal has a habit of playing a left-footed centre back on the left hand side of defence. If Rojo doesn't suffer an injury he'll only be competing with Jonny Evans for that spot and he's winning that battle every time.
VERDICT: He should be a starter for United but he's a little pit to pricey for us.
Luke Shaw (5.5m) - After his multi million pound move to Manchester United last season Shaw hasn't really featured as much as he'd like to and will be looking to change that this campaign. He's always been a solid defender and is a threat going forward. He just needs to impress Louis van Gaal.
VERDICT: Faces strong competition for his spot from Daley Blind who looked impressive there last year, hold off on him for now.
Matteo Darmian (5.5m) - Impressed for Torino in Serie A last season however there are doubts over who will start between him and Valencia. It's a choice that we wouldn't like to make the decision on.
VERDICT: : If he can secure the right back position he'll be a great addition to your FPL side.
Antonio Valencia (5.5m) - Adapted well to the right back role last year and was a real threat going forward. It seems Van Gaal is settled on Valencia starting for now.
VERDICT: : Offers great value at 5.5m but could lose his place to Darmian, we wouldn't risk it.
Phil Jones/Rafael/Jonny Evans/Tyler Blackett/Paddy McNair/Guillermo Varela.(4.5m - 5.5m) - They'll all feature but not on a regular enough basis to earn you points. Jones will be in and out the side on a more regular basis than the others and could get a starting place if Rojo and Smalling suffer injuries otherwise he's going to be on the bench.
VERDICT: Move on.
WHICH MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
Depay, Mata and Di Maria all look great picks but it's a nightmare picking which ones will start for United. Depay is new to the league and may take time to adapt to the tempo and speed of the Premier League. Di Maria doesn't know if he's staying in Manchester or leaving for Paris and Mata seems to be the forgotten man amongst all this. It's a risk but we'd recommend Depay purely because he looks more likely to start than the other two.
MIDFIELDER ANALYSIS
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Memphis Depay (8.5m) - He's been touted as the next Cristiano Ronaldo and took the Eredivise by storm last season before earning his move to United. He reunites with Van Gaal who he has a special relationship with that could see him start over Mata and Di Maria.
VERDICT: An exciting player with plenty of tricks, speed, agility and goals up his sleeve. Could be a gem. [/mks_one_half]
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Juan Mata (8.5m) - At Chelsea and in his first six months at United Mata was a solid FPL player. He scored goals and got assists but last season he wasn't at his best. Van Gaal may opt for a 433 which would see Mata played out of position on the left, but even there he's capable of magic.
VERDICT: There is no telling if he or Di Maria will start, it's a risk that's on your shoulders we would avoid him because of that.
Angel Di Maria (8.5m) - Showed what he is capable of in spells last season but those spells didn't come often enough. He can be a special player it's the Mata/Di Maria starter dilemma though.
VERDICT: At the time of writing has a 50% chance of playing against Tottenham, put him on your watch list cause if he nails down a starting place he will be a solid addition for you.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (7.0m) - One of the worlds best midfielders, but he doesn't contribute a massive amount in the way of goals and assists meaning he not be scoring many FPL points. He's had injury troubles of late as well.
VERDICT: Skip, sorry Bastian.
Morgan Schneiderlin (5.5m) - One of Southampton's best players last season but only picked up 90 points. FPL doesn't do defensive midfielders.
VERDICT: Nope he's to defensive to score you points.
Daley Blind (5.5m) - Blind finished the season at left back. He isn't blessed with the speed but he's always in the right place at the right time. One of the many reasons Van Gaal loves him. It's hard to tell if he'll be used there again this season though.
VERDICT: It's not worth the risk hoping he starts at left back.
Ander Herrera/Marouane Fellaini/Michael Carrick (5.0m-7.0m) - Herrera was impressive last season and ended up scoring 98 FPL points but with the additions in midfield and the rotation in the side he won't get as much game time as he did. Fellaini is currently out injured and is another victim of the new singings his game time will be depleted this season. The same goes for Carrick.
VERDICT: If injuries hit United Herrera will be a starter until then pass.
Ashley Young/Adnan Januzaj/Andreas Pereira (5.0m-6.0m) They'll be rotated in and out of the lineup and are not guaranteed to play every week.
VERDICT: Nope, nope and nope.
WHICH MANCHESTER UNITED FORWARD SHOULD I PICK FOR MY FPL TEAM?
There really is no question marks about this one. It has to be Wayne Rooney. Van Persie has departed the club and Falcao has also left meaning Rooney has no real competition for his place. He's chasing that Manchester United all time goalscorer title and could break it this season. The captain for the Red Devils' it's hard to look beyon Wazza.
FORWARD ANALYSIS
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Wayne Rooney (10.5m) - In all his seasons at Manchester United he's never scored fewer than 130 points and peaked at 230 a few seasons ago. With RVP and Falcao gone he only faces competition from Wilson and Hernandez (who is likely to leave.) He's back in his preferred striker position and is undroppable for United.
VERDICT: If you can afford him, GET HIM.
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Javier Hernandez (6.0m) - He is rumoured to be on his way out, and even if he does stay he won't feature much. If his move is to another Premier League team consider him then.
VERDICT: Move along for now.
James Wilson (5.0) - Currently aged 19 he's Manchester United's second choice striker. He has four first team starts to his name and has four Premier League goals but playing time will be limited.
VERDICT: Avoid, at 19-years-old he needs to find his feet in the league first.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Inbetween the sticks you'd be crazy to not think about David De Gea, if he stays he will be just as impressive as he was last season if not better. Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo offer points in defence and it's hard to split to pair, Rojo comes 0.5m cheaper but won't score as much as Smalling does. The Englishman has matured tenfold in recent years and is now showing his talent. We'd opt for Smalling. The midfield dilema is bound the cause debate, is it Depay, Mata or Di Maria? Depay is in a new league adapting to the rythem and pace, whilst Mata is used to England but had a poor season last year and Di Maria can be as special or as poor as he wants. It's a hard one to split but we think Depay. Finally strikers and it has to be Wayne Rooney. Is there anyone else?