The theme of the midweek Fantasy Challenge is "Red Hot Deal?". When Manchester United take on Arsenal on Wednesday evening, Man Utd players will earn double points.
Managers must pick an 11-a-side-team from a budget of £75.0m and decide whether to load up on Man Utd players or pick other assets who have strong fixtures. You can pick one of eight formations: 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-5-1, 5-2-3, 5-3-2 or 5-4-1.
Here, FPL expert Louis Roberts reveals his approach for Gameweek 14.
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The best Man Utd options
Starting in goal, the chances of Andre Onana (£5.2m) keeping a clean sheet against Arsenal look unlikely. However, we can't underestimate the fact that he has helped his side keep the second-most clean sheets so far this season, with six. Onana has also proven himself as a top shot-stopper, ranking above every other goalkeeper in the league for Expected Goals (xG) prevented (+4.70). This suggests that Onana has the potential to rack up save points.
In Man Utd's defence I would choose Diogo Dalot (£5.2m), who is being used as a wing-back in Ruben Amorim's back-three system. Dalot leads all of his defensive team-mates so far far this season for non-penalty Expected Goal Involvement (xGI), with 1.83. This takes into account both creativity and goal threat, which shows he has attacking potential. We should also consider centre-back Matthijs de Ligt (£5.0m). The Dutchman is the only Man Utd defender to score a goal this season.
In midfield, it's unclear who will benefit the most from Amorim's influence. However, based on his underlying data and penalty-taking duties, Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) could be the best of the bunch. None of his attacking team-mates can better his total of seven attacking returns or his 1,083 minutes played, which are two of the most important statistics when selecting a player. It isn't just his basic stats which propel him above other picks either, as his underlying data when compared with all other players in the league is also impressive. He ranks just outside the top 10 for total chances created, with 27, and is inside the top 10 for big chances created, with nine.
Managers could also consider Marcus Rashford (£7.0m). As well as showing huge potential historically, Rashford has scored three times in his last two matches. Amad (£5.0m) should also be a consideration. Although he's being utilised as a wing-back by Amorim, Amad seems to be thriving in his new position, registering three assists in the last two Gameweeks, amounting to an impressive 19 points in FPL.
For managers who want to invest in a Man Utd forward, there are two viable options in Rasmus Hojlund (£6.9m) and Joshua Zirkzee (£6.6m). However, predicting who is going to start between them - or if either of them will start - is tricky. Both players have started one match each under Amorim, so wait to see the Man Utd line-up before making your choice.
Overall, I am picking four Man Utd players in my Challenge line-up.
Goalkeeper
I have gone with Onana for the reasons above. However, several goalkeepers catch the eye this week, and another of them is Robert Sanchez (£4.8m). Chelsea take on promoted side Southampton, who rank among the worst sides in the league for several key attacking metrics.
Meanwhile, a home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers could be a good opportunity for Everton's Jordan Pickford (£4.9m). The Toffees kept back-to-back clean sheets in Gameweeks 11 and 12, showing glimpses of their impressive 2023/24 defensive form. Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez (£5.0m) v Brentford (if fit) and Wolves' Jose Sa (£4.3m) are two other picks worth considering.
Defenders
Picking out defenders could be quite difficult this week, based on how disappointing most of them have been this campaign and the clean-sheet potential in general in the midweek fixtures. However, Chelsea's visit to Southampton could offer some hope. Among the Chelsea defenders, no player has played more minutes than Levi Colwill (£4.5m), with 1,168.
Joining Colwill is Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.9m). Wolves may rank as the worst side in the league for goals conceded so far this season, but their upcoming opponents Everton failed to score a single goal between Gameweeks 10 and 13. As well as offering clean-sheet potential, Ait-Nouri has already produced three goals and two assists this campaign, which is a clear indication of his attacking threat.
Finding a cheap defender to enable my expensive midfield is tough but I have settled on Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) for now. A home match against Brentford could see Unai Emery's side keep a clean sheet, and Konsa is the cheapest route into their defence. I don't think Man Utd will keep a clean sheet, but if they do I will have Dalot in place. As stated above, he is their most promising defensive option in regards to attacking threat.
There are several other options I like. Tottenham Hotspur's encounter with AFC Bournemouth this week is a promising match for Pedro Porro (£5.6m) to continue delivering offensively. As well as picking up an assist against Ipswich Town in Gameweek 11 and scoring against Manchester City in Gameweek 12, Porro ranks first in his position for attempts on goal this season, with 20.
Other defenders we should consider are Man City's Rico Lewis (£4.7m) for his match with Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6.9m) against Newcastle United.
Midfielders
It is very difficult to look past Chelsea's Cole Palmer (£11.0m). Southampton have shipped three goals in just under half of their matches this season, indicating they could be one of the best teams to target. Palmer goes into the match off the back of producing eight goals and six assists already this season.
Man Utd players fill up two of my midfield spots. Recent performances indicate that they could be a lot tougher for Arsenal than once thought. The Red Devils appear to be clicking offensively already, so including their two most effective attackers in Fernandes and Rashford makes sense, especially because they earn double points.
Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers (£5.3m) is another option for me ahead of his home match with Brentford. His price point is a significant reason why he's in my team but Brentford have also conceded more shots on target than any other side in the league, with 84.
Newcastle's defensive inconsistencies are a concern and that means they also provide an opening for Mohamed Salah (£13.2m). Nine double-digit hauls already this season make the Egyptian the most explosive asset in the game and the standout captain pick, which is why I have prioritised his inclusion.
It may be counterintuitive backing Bukayo Saka (£10.4m) against my Man Utd defensive double-up of Onana and Dalot, but it may also be hard to resist his excellent form. Saka goes into the match having racked up up a mammoth three goals and five assists in his last three matches across all competitions.
Forwards
There aren't many convincing forwards this week, which is why I have opted for a 4-5-1 formation. Although he was disappointing in his last match against Southampton, Joao Pedro (£5.8m) is very cheap and takes penalties for Brighton & Hove Albion. We also have to remember that the Brazilian managed back-to-back double-digit hauls in Gameweeks 12 and 13.
There are one or two other forwards I am contemplating. Nicolas Jackson (£8.1m) has just two attacking returns fewer than team-mate Palmer this season, which is reflective of how effective he has been. Jackson also impressively ranks among the top four players in the game for non-penalty xGI, which suggests his output hasn't been down to luck.
Although short of form recently, Ollie Watkins (£9.0m) could be another consideration. No side in the league have conceded more shots on target than his upcoming opponents Brentford. Taking that into account, Watkins could have huge potential this week. Man City's Erling Haaland (£15.0m) v Forest, and Wolves' Matheus Cunha (£7.0m) v Everton could also be great options.
