Manchester United 24/25 Fantasy Forecast
- Draft Genie
- Jul 29, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Jul 30, 2024
With draft day almost upon us, it's time to preview Manchester United's fantasy football prospects for the new season in our 24/25 Manchester United Fantasy Forecast. In this year's 24/25 Draft Kit, we are featuring both a Fantasy Flashback and a Fantasy Forecast for every single Premier League team. There is also a plethora of other EPL Draft related articles in our Draft Kit, ranging from strategy to mock drafts to transfers and everything in between. Check the 24/25 Draft Kit main page often, as it's updated constantly!
Our Manchester United 24/25 Fantasy Forecast will feature players to watch, players to avoid, season points projections, an early season fixtures analysis, and our predicted XI. We've got it all covered. Our Draft Premier League fantasy forecasts will help set you up to dominate your draft! And be sure to check out the Manchester United Fantasy Flashback for our full analysis of last season's fantasy football results.
Check back often! Our team previews will be updated throughout the summer as any new transfer, injury, or rotation developments come to light.
Check out our 24/25 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need: Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Mock Drafts, Strategy, Draft 101. We've got it all!
Manchester United Fantasy Forecast 24/25
Let's jump into our in-depth look at Manchester United prospects for the new EPL season below. This information will form a key component to your draft prep and set you up to dominate your draft!
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Fantasy Forecast
Past is prelude, as they say. So, turning to the 24/25 season, we've got Manchester United's player projections, key players to keep an eye on, players we're staying away from, question marks surrounding the club at this moment, an analysis of United's early-season fixtures, and our predicted starting lineup.
24/25 Player Projections
Below, you'll find our season projections for Manchester United fantasy assets. Our projections are created using a number of contributing factors such as historical performances, expected team strength, betting odds and more. ProjPPS (Points Per Start) and ProjFPts (Projected Total Points) refer to Fantrax Default Scoring.
Bruno once again is expected to be a set and forget, top 5 fantasy asset. Don't be surprised if he starts all 38 games this season, and with an improved setup, he could even exceed his 16.3 PPS projections. Last year's surprise breakout star Garnacho is expected to be a top asset with 10.6 PPS; he would be good value as a 4th round pick this year since he might face some rotation on that LW. Hojlund will be discussed in detail later but his 9.6 projected PPS makes him a very viable FWD2. Assets such as Rashford, Diallo, Zirkzee, Antony, and Sancho are all fighting for starting spots and can make good picks after round 9. Diallo and Rashford should be the 2 to prioritize, though. Casemiro could really be the sneaky pick here if he stays at United for the full season instead of going to Saudi with 9.2 PPS and showing he is a bit better than your average defensive midfielder fantasy-wise. He has been going in the last 3 rounds of mocks and is a great pick there.
Defensively, it is no surprise to see Dalot as the one to draft. The new scoring makes him even more enticing since United love to give up an early goal. In easier fixtures when United will concede their classic 1 goal he will still more than likely offer a double digit outing. He should be a lock in the RB position and could even exceed his projections. There are question marks over who will partner Martinez (who is just not worth drafting), but monitoring Maguire and Yoro in pre season will be key to drafting his partner, who usually scores better. As of now, Shaw should be first choice LB but has a very poor injury record; when he starts, he will be a decent DEF2, but keep a look out in the transfer market with strong rumours of United looking for a new LB, which could see Shaw play second string this year.
Players to Watch
We've highlighted some United players that we're keeping an eye on. The players mentioned below may be sleepers. They may be up-and-coming youngsters. They may be vying for a spot in the XI. Whatever the case, we'll tell you why we're watching these particular assets in EPL Draft Fantasy this year.
Amad Diallo
Position: MID (Was a FWD Last Season)
23/24 Points: 52
23/24 Points Per Start: 12 (3 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 97 - 108 (12 Team League: Round 9)
Analysis: Diallo made sure United fans and Ten Hag would remember his name this summer with the way he finished the season. Winning the starting RW spot over Antony and Rashford, on top of scoring the winning goal in that dramatic FA Cup semi-final put his name in the hero books. From there, he started the remaining games of the season, including that incredible MOTM performance vs. Newcastle where he bagged the winning goal and an assist for 25 fantasy points. His other two starts in the EPL saw him gather 5 and 6 points, but they were against tougher opposition in Arsenal and Brighton. Despite Antony's stronger finish to the campaign, it was Diallo that Ten Hag wanted to give minutes to, and Diallo he put his trust in.
Going into next season, there are a lot of questions over what the starting XI at United will look like. Some new signings inbound, some players back from injury, and maybe the long lost Sancho back in contention (probably not). In my opinion, Diallo will start in the RW role for United barring a big money RW signing, or a pre-season injury. This is one of the riskier picks, though, as Antony and Rashford both have experience on their side and a few bad games from Diallo could see one of them take their chance and keep him benched, or a potential formation change with 2 strikers up top. With all this in mind, Diallo should still start the season in the RW role. Usually a United starting winger will command much higher draft capitol than the 9th round I am suggesting, but Diallo comes with a lot more risk than Garnacho does, and has only 3 starts to base his potential stats off. Given all this, he is worth a gamble in the 9th round, or even late in the 8th. This could be his breakthrough season in similar vein to Garnacho last season, but there might need to be patience. Still, a potential starting RW for United as your MID4 is a great risk to take, especially if Ten Hag cleans up that midfield.
Rasmus Hojlund
Position: FWD
23/24 Points: 222 (38th best FWD)
23/24 Points Per Start: 7.5 (25 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 57- 70 (12 Team League: Late Round 5 - Round 6 )
Analysis: Hojlund had a mixed season in his debut year for United. He did have his mid-season purple patch that showed he can be a future EPL star, but also lost his starting spot in the final few games of the year. It also took him 12 starts before he even netted a goal, showing just how long it took him to adjust. There are a lot of questions over whether he would be better coming off the bench to start the season, or if Zirkzee should just be handed the starting role no questions asked. I believe that the job is Hojlund's to lose, but he will need a much stronger start to the season than what he had last year. While he didn't finish the season strong, Ten Hag believes strongly in him, and he has shown he can do well under this manager, but really needs to show his consistency and that he deserves to be the starting striker for years to come. The issue for Hojlund is he cannot make something happen out of nothing. It goes hand in hand with United improving their creativity for Hojlund to become a consistent EPL star.
Taking Hojlund as your FWD2/3 has some risk, of course, as you never know if a player will just have a bad season, but I think there is more upside than risk. Zirkzee can play alongside Hojlund as well, and with players like Garnacho, Diallo, and Mainoo getting more comfortable in starting roles, it can only help Hojlund's output. Ten Hag will need to help create more shot opportunities for Hojlund, and any new creative midfield signings only help his stock. Hojlund is a good pick around the 5/6 turn in many drafts.
Players to Avoid
It's not all sunshine and rainbows at Old Trafford. At least, not as far as Draft Fantasy Football is concerned. Below, we will also highlight some fantasy assets that we're not so thrilled about. These are the Red Devil players you might want to avoid come draft day.
Kobbie Mainoo
Position: MID
23/24 Points: 164.5 (68th best MID)
23/24 Points Per Start: 6.9 (24 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 140 - 150 (12 Team League: Round 12-13)
Analysis: Mainoo had himself a breakthrough campaign, especially in the latter half of the season. A bad pre-season injury prevented him from having a full EPL season, but he showed he will be United's star midfielder for some time. That doesn't mean he's all of a sudden a top fantasy asset, though. Last season, he averaged 6.9 PPS and 5.4 ghosts per game. Given his role in the side, I don't see that changing. Mainoo seems to do better as well vs. the tougher teams, given he can fill the stat sheet up more. Outside of 1 game vs. Chelsea, he always needed an attacking return to crack into the double digit scoring.
If you want to draft him, then you should wait until the 12th round. You are better off punting on high upside assets from other teams instead of a United defensive midfielder. Mainoo will see a ton of game time, which makes him a good backup to those risking it with Rashford and Diallo picks, especially since United will have a lot of Sunday games. Outside of that, you are better off using your pick elsewhere. I expect Mainoo to be a top player for United this season, but won't be more than a MID5-6 fantasy wise. Draft him at your own risk.
Joshua Zirkzee
Position: FWD
23/24 Points: N/A
23/24 Points Per Start: N/A
Recommended Draft Pick: 125 - 144 (12 Team League: Round 11-12)
Analysis: Zirkzee is United's "shiny new toy" and will be overdrafted in many leagues. He scored 11 goals in his 34 apps in the Serie A last year, which is a decent return, but we all know the EPL will be a step up for the new boy. Zirkzee is not expected to just walk into the XI taking a starting role in the front 3. He will have his work cut out for him, but could be a good punt as a FWD4. If Hojlund or Diallo fail to hit the ground running, then Zirkzee could see himself in the XI within the first 6 weeks, but he is someone that will require patience. If you are not a fantasy manager that has patience, then add Zirkzee to your DND list. There is every chance he gets fewer than 15 starts this season, as he was brought in to add depth and competition. We also saw last season how long it took for Hojlund to actually start to deliver for United, not scoring his first goal until his 12th start. There is no reason to think Zirkzee has hit the ground running despite his good season last year.
I personally am not very high on Zirkzee and see him going in rounds 8-9 in mocks; that is too early for me. If you are looking to get him, then you should wait until Round 11; otherwise, let him be someone else's problem. There is a very good chance that Zirkzee is dropped in many leagues within the first 3-4 gameweeks especially if the manager who drafted him thought he would start immediately. That will be your chance to roster him, or through a very low-ball trade offer to that frustrated manager.
Question Marks
Not everything is crystal clear and predictable at Manchester United. We've highlighted some questions surrounding the Manchester United that we’re grappling with this preseason. We’ll try to note whether or not (and how much) these questions are affecting our perceptions of Manchester United's fantasy assets.
Who is the Missing Midfield Link
United are missing another midfielder to partner Bruno. While the likes of Mainoo and Casemiro have been played along him, they just don't offer the creative/attacking spark United need to improve their attack. Mctominay and Eriksen both had their moments to shine last season, but neither offered consistency and seem like they are headed for the exit doors. Can Mason Mount be that spark? The answer is very unclear, and while Ten Hag seems willing to give him a fair shot, it is no surprise United are in the market for another midfielder who can immediately slot in the XI. United scored a very poor 57 goals last season, and if they want to crack the top 4 this year, will need to score at least 75+. How will they add all these goals? It comes from creating chances, and as we saw last season, Hojlund was being hung out to dry, failing to even register a SOT in many games due to the lack of creativity. With a very similar United XI to last season expected to be the opening day lineup, that midfielder role is still very much up for grabs. If United fail to find that extra link, then we could be in for another season where all their attackers (bar Bruno) struggle fantasy-wise and, of course ,in real life.
Lack of Depth
While it might seem surprising for such a big club, United don't really have strong depth in many areas. While the winger role is probably their deepest position, they still lack quality midfield depth, and definitely lack defensive depth. We have seen it week in and week out; when the United starting defenders are hurt, it is up to Onana to play the hero and hope United get out of there with a 1-1 draw. The signing of Yoro is a step in the right direction, but losing Varane just makes him a replacement. United need to sign more quality starting defender depth if they want to compete in all their competitions. The same must be said in the midfield department. If Bruno ever suffered an injury to keep him out long-term, I don't know if United would be any better than the relegation-level teams. Zirkzee was another good addition to the attacking depth department, but more is still needed with the same old midfielders having proven they can't be consistent enough. While there are many bright sparks coming up from the academy--and we could even see some make a Mainoo type jump this year--if United fail to add 2-3 more signings this summer, they could be in for another disappointing season.
Early-Season Fixture Difficulty
The way that teams come out the gate has big implications in EPL Draft. A red-hot start creates red-hot trade targets. A dismal start means plummeting player values and losses for your fantasy team. Check out our thoughts on Manchester United's early-season fixtures and our analysis of the fantasy implications they will have.
United actually have a good start to the season in their first 5 games. Liverpool at home will be their toughest test in Gameweek 3, but outside of that, they have very winnable games. At the end of the day, though, we know United are inconsistent and can lose to anyone; so the games against Palace and Brighton will not be walks in the park either. I see no reason United can't comfortably win their opener vs. Fulham and the game vs. the Saints in Gameweek 4. How will this affect United assets? Well, it makes Onana that much more valuable. Normally, I am against drafting keepers, but with this schedule and the new scoring change, Onana could easily be a double digit PPS asset for the first month or so of the season. On top of that, Dalot deserves a slight bump given these fixtures. He is one that can start off hot, then you can look to trade out on a high for a different upside defender if you don't believe he will continue this form. The rest of the valuations are about the same for me with maybe a slight bump for Maguire, who should start the season beside Martinez. United need to start the season off well, or we could be in for more of the same from last year.
24/25 Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Based on the information we have now, the below graphic is our best prediction for the eventual long-term United lineup in 24/25. We can't account for any last minute transfers or injuries, but considering managerial tactics, player form, and availability, this is how we see Manchester United's XI shaking out.
There are a few formations that United can adopt, including the 4-2-2-2 they used to end the season, but the 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 should be their most popular. A lot of question marks over the backups here, and new signings could throw a wrench in this predicted XI. Casemiro leaving or a new midfielder coming in would have someone else partnering Mainoo and Bruno. For now, the front 4 should start the season as we see above, but a good preseason from Rashford could have Diallo or even Hojlund worrying a bit. Martinez and Dalot are locks in the back line, but Shaw and Maguire will have some competition. New signing Yoro has already impressed in his few pre-season minutes, so it would be no surprise to see him start the season or within the first few gameweeks. Shaw will have competition from a new signing that is surely being worked on as we speak. Mount has a chance to crack this XI as well, and his versatility is on his side, but he will need to show consistency in pre-season or have a midfielder leave the club/start with an injury.
Check out our 24/25 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101, plus so much more. Dominate your draft!
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