The Scout looks at the key takeaways, including the selling of Man Utd assets and Sangare emerges as no 1 target

The Scout highlights the main takeaways from the opening weekend of 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League. Remember, it’s not too late to create a Fantasy team and start playing in Gameweek 2.

Managers already selling Man Utd players

Fantasy managers are already reconsidering their options after Manchester United’s surprise 2-0 loss to Hull City.

Many had started the season with a triple-up on Man Utd due to their favourable opening two matches against promoted clubs.

Yet despite having a home match against Ipswich Town next, Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) are among the three most-sold midfielders for Gameweek 2, moved on by 110,000+ and 105,000+ respectively.

Certainly, their owners should keep hold of the duo for now, with Fernandes arguably the best captaincy pick for Gameweek 2 – he delivered eight double-figure hauls in 17 home matches last season.

Nonetheless, Man Utd then have a trickier visit to Everton and a tough home match against Manchester City in Gameweeks 3 and 4, which is why many of Fernandes and Mbeumo’s owners had pencilled in a Wildcard for Gameweek 3.

Man Utd have a lot of convincing to do against Ipswich to prevent more big sales in midfield and defence.

Palmer thriving under Alonso

Cole Palmer’s (£9.5m) overall performance against Fulham, which was rewarded by a goal and an assist in the 3-2 win, looks hugely encouraging for Fantasy managers in 2026/27.

The Chelsea midfielder delivered 13 points at Craven Cottage, a total he surpassed only once in his hugely underwhelming previous campaign.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach has allowed Palmer to thrive centrally in a 3-4-2-1 set-up and, at a cost of £9.5m, he could even be a replacement for Fernandes owners who are looking for an exit route.

But it’s worth noting that Palmer is a slight injury doubt for Gameweek 2 right now, while he then visits champions Arsenal in Gameweek 3. 

While Chelsea’s home match against Hull City in Gameweek 4 might be the best time to invest, managers who buy him before then could easily be rewarded if Palmer is fit for his home match against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.

Watch Palmer’s highlights v Fulham
Calafiori and White reward short-term strategists

Those who chose to overlook the premium-priced Gabriel (£8.0m) and opt for his less expensive team-mates Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori (both £5.5m) were immediately rewarded in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry City.

Whereas Gabriel frustrated his backers with only five points, due to a yellow card, the full-backs each collected an assist to return 11 and nine points respectively.

Nonetheless, the arrival of the versatile defender Ezri Konsa (£4.5m) at Arsenal now adds an extra element of risk in investing in Arsenal’s defence, Gabriel aside.

We need to wait and see where Konsa fits in – at right-back or centre-back – before we get a clearer picture of Mikel Arteta’s plans for his defence. 

Penalties further lifting Szoboszlai’s potential

Dominik Szoboszlai’s (£7.0m) late penalty against Newcastle United now suggests he is Liverpool’s No 1 penalty-taker following the departure of Mohamed Salah.

The Hungarian had been expected to dominate set-piece duties this season under new head coach Andoni Iraola, a big reason why he can be found in over 42 per cent of squads.

Having also now stepped up to convert from the spot, Szoboszlai appears to be ahead of Alexander Isak (£9.0m) in the penalty pecking order.

Home matches against Nottingham Forest and Fulham in the next three Gameweeks, added to a visit to Ipswich, means Szoboszlai will continue to gain new owners.

Sangare emerges as top target in midfield

Brentford’s Mamadou Sangare (£5.5m) has immediately shown why many Fantasy managers had tipped him as this season’s Elliot Anderson (£6.5m).

The Bees’ summer signing has amassed over 204,000 new owners for Gameweek 2 – more than any other midfielder or forward – after his all-action display against Tottenham Hotspur.

Sangare’s initial appeal had mainly been about his ability to pick up defensive contribution (DC) points in the sub-£6.0m bracket.

But not only did he collect the two DC points, the midfielder also supplied two assists for a bumper 14-point haul. At such a low cost, he’s already looking like a “set-and-forget” pick for your starting XI.

WATCH: FPL lessons from Saturday’s matchesLeeds’ Stach and Bijol have fixtures to thrive as differentials

After winning 1-0 at Nottingham Forest, Leeds United are set to embark on a run of three home matches in the next four Gameweeks, hosting Brentford, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

Similarly to Sangare, midfielder Anton Stach (£6.0m) surpassed expectations with a double-figure haul at the weekend and looks a steal at his price, due to his many routes to returns.

Given Leeds kept six of their eight clean sheets last season at home, investment in their defence could well pay off, with Jaka Bijol (£5.0m) offering the best potential for defensive contribution points.

Stach and Bijol can be found in a mere 1.4 and 0.6 per cent of squads, compared with the 29.9 per cent of forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m). 

Rely on Moyes’ Everton

Everton pair Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£6.5m) and James Tarkowski (£6.0m) have largely been overlooked due to their price rises this season.

Yet both have been quick to show that they will have a big part to play in 2026/27 Fantasy.

Owned by a mere four per cent of managers, Dewsbury-Hall scored the opening goal and claimed 11 points at home to Palace.

Meanwhile, Tarkowski was one of the few premium defenders to reward managers with a clean sheet, and he made nine defensive contributions, just one short of the 10 required for a defender to collect two DC points. 

Man City look a work in progress under Maresca

Enzo Maresca’s line-up against Bournemouth raised a few eyebrows, with centre-back Marc Guehi (£6.0m) named in central midfield and left-back Nico O’Reilly (£6.5m) playing in an advanced central role behind Erling Haaland (£15.5m).

Ultimately, it was the introduction of Rayan Cherki (£7.5m) that proved decisive in the 2-1 comeback win, with the Frenchman assisting goals for Guehi and another defender, Josko Gvardiol (£5.5m). 

Although Haaland’s huge ownership makes him an easy captain pick, his team-mates – Cherki aside – did little to indicate they are worth bringing in alongside the Norwegian right now.

WATCH: FPL lessons from Sunday’s matchesPromoted centre-backs lead the way for defensive contributions

All promoted defenders are priced at £4.0m this season, and Hull’s John Egan leads the way with a total of 21 defensive contributions against Man Utd, with Ipswich Town’s Dara O’Shea the next best on 18.

Coventry’s Bobby Thomas also made 10 to earn two DC points against Arsenal and collect three points in total despite the 3-0 loss. 

Summer departures leaving Villa short

Having lost a number of key players over the summer, Aston Villa‘s lack of options were laid bare in their 4-0 loss at Brighton & Hove Albion.

With forward Ollie Watkins (£8.0m) also recently linked with a move away, Unai Emery’s side could struggle at both ends of the pitch in 2026/27.

Depending on how they invest over the remainder of the transfer window, Villa could be an opposition team to target when you’re looking for goals and clean sheets.