Our Fantasy EPL 22/23 Draft Kit promises to be the most comprehensive set of pre-season Draft Premier League articles ever produced! A key component of our Draft Kit will be the Team Preview articles which analyze key assets to sit alongside our all-important Draft Rankings. This article delves into the Best Fantrax Fantasy EPL Players from Manchester United, as we take a deep dive into the prospects of their three best assets! Click here for details on how you can access our 22/23 Draft Kit.
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Manchester United Best Fantasy Players
As noted above, these are the Best Manchester United Players for the Fantrax Fantasy EPL platform. We analyze the Red Devils' top three prospects ahead of the new season, with a recommended draft pick for each player.
Bruno Fernandes
Position: Midfielder
21/22 Points: 428.5 (5th best midfielder)
21/22 Points Per Start: 12.1 (35 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 13.3 (29 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 7-12 (12 Team League: Round 1)
Overview: Bruno had a solid season fantasy wise, but would have disappointed all the managers who took him 1st overall ahead of the likes of Salah. Bruno will start the season as a key member of United's squad, but his fantasy value is truly up in the air. While he is known for racking up shots and key passes, the United squad doesn't seem to be improving. He is surrounded by an aging striker, 2 wingers in poor form, and a defensive midfield duo better known for their vibes than playing ability. All this plus no guarantee of him being on penalties or corners makes me slightly worried for Bruno this year.
He still has every possible chance of becoming the #1 overall fantasy scorer, even though it could be a long shot he should be taken near the end of the first round in most 12 team leagues. Unless you are set on rostering Bruno, I would pass on him if you have a top 7 pick. There are certainly players with less risk that you could take there. A few strong signings in the United attack and engine room could help his prospects, but as of now it doesn't seem like United will bolster their attacking options. He is still firmly in the top 5 midfielder range for me, but if you are set on Bruno you can probably choose a later draft slot and see him fall to you.
Eriksen's signing will hurt Bruno's set-piece numbers, but there is also a very real possibility that Ronaldo leaves and Bruno gets his penalty duties back as well as perhaps getting some minutes as a false 9.....just think Ajax Tadic and that should show you the absolute steal this could be.
Christian Eriksen
Position: Midfielder
21/22 Points: 150 (75th best midfielder)
21/22 Points Per Start: 14.7 (10 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 12.8 (21 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 13-20 (12 Team League: Round 2)
Overview: What a signing this is for United. Adding a player with the creative talent of Eriksen will only help this team. Eriksen, as we all know, had a true scare in the Euros last summer, but has shown he is back to full health with his stint at Brentford. The Dane will have a full preseason with the United squad, and could be a very strong pick in round 2. He will get his fair share of set pieces and, if Ronaldo stays, has a true target man to aim for in both open play and from dead balls. I believe Eriksen will get at least 25 starts and will offer MID1 upside each time he is in the XI. Eriksen was not signed to just sit on the bench, and Bruno will definitely not be on the bench, so these two creative forces will be thrown into the same XI more often than not.
I expect a lot of managers to be wary of Eriksen, which will give him even more value depending on when you draft him. If your league doesn't have any United fans you can probably get him in the middle of the 2nd round...similar to the time you can draft the likes of Foden, Ward-Prowse, and Bowen. Personally, I would draft Eriksen above all of these given his upside if he gets the minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Position: Forward
21/22 Points: 341 (10th best forward)
21/22 Points Per Start: 12.6 (27 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 13.0 (31 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 20-35 (12 Team League: Round 2-3 )
Overview: Ronaldo led his team in goals, scoring 18 across 27 starts. The aging forward is showing he's still got it and will go into this season as United's first-choice forward. He offered decent FWD1/2 value last season but was very boom and bust. The thing about Ronaldo is he can single-handedly win you a gameweek, but can also be part of your downfall with his lack of ghost points. Ronaldo will fight to be on penalties and direct free kicks with fellow countryman Bruno, and it remains to be seen who Ten Hag will choose.
I do believe Ronaldo will offer a very similar output to last season, but there's a chance he is rotated slightly more based on fitness and form due to the new manager. He will offer high-end FWD1 upside in any given week, and if he is on penalties even more. The reason I wouldn't take him until early to mid round 3 is his age, and again the uncertainty around this United team. Ronaldo may see fewer minutes in certain games especially when the fixtures start to pile up, and this could cause frustration if he is your first-round pick. If you manage to snag Ronaldo in round 3, he will offer tremendous value for you this season.
If you are drafting early, Ronaldo has a big risk associated with him, given his desire to leave the club. Eriksen signing may help convince him to stay with United adding even more creativity to help feed him. If he does stay he could offer great value with 2 of the most creative players in the EPL playing just behind him.
Honorable Mention(s):
Jadon Sancho just misses out here, and you should look to take him sometime in round 3-4 depending on your league. He definitely has MID1 upside, but also will face rotation with Antony potentially signing. With 2 creative CAMs now at United I expect Sancho to see less of the ball and he could become goal-dependent (than the end of last season). Regardless he is a very talented player who put up good points in the back half of last season and that alone makes him worth a pick in the 3rd-4th rounds.
More Best Fantasy Players: Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brentford | Brighton | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Leeds | Leicester | Liverpool | Man City | Newcastle | Nottm Forest | Southampton | Tottenham | West Ham | Wolves
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