FPL Gameweek 2 differentials: Back this Manchester United star to score big - and no, it's not Bruno Fernandes
Published 21/08/2025 at 08:32 GMT+1
Sick of being bombarded by the same old Fantasy Premier League transfer tips on social media? Time to swerve the herd. We have picked out three spicy Gameweek 2 differentials with single-digit ownership and serious points potential. And do not worry - these tips come from a manager who finished in the top 0.1% last season… despite sleeping through two deadlines. You are in safe hands.
Highlights: Isak absent as Newcastle unable to break through 10-man Villa in season opener
Video credit: TNT Sports
It is easy to follow the crowd in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). But where’s the fun in that?
Scroll through your mini leagues and it is probably like deja vu – the same old names everywhere. And while there is nothing wrong with that, it is unlikely to help you stand out.
Most advice columns go down the 'free hit' route, swapping out an entire squad you are not going to actually change. Or they tell you to captain Mohamed Salah.
We are doing things differently. Every week we are serving up three fresh differentials:
- Player 1: Max 10% ownership
- Player 2: Max 5% ownership
- Player 3: Max 2% ownership
No safe picks. No copy-paste advice. Just low-owned players with the potential to explode.
One note of caution: the first international break arrives after just three fixtures, by which point the transfer window will be shut and early-season form much clearer. Rolling your transfer this week might be the smarter play. You have been warned!
Anyway, with the Gameweek 2 deadline at 18:30 BST on Friday, August 22, here is our latest trio…
1. Matheus Cunha, £8.0m (Midfielder, Manchester United, 8.7%)
- Next six games: Fulham (a), Burnley (h), Man City (a), Chelsea (h), Brentford (a), Sunderland (h)
When was the last time you could tip a Manchester United player not named Bruno Fernandes without getting laughed out of the room? Those days might finally be over.
Yes, United fired a blank in their opener against Arsenal, but for once they carried genuine threat - and Matheus Cunha was at the heart of it. He even scored highly in the most unscientific metric of all: 'looking properly up for it.'
Fulham are next for Ruben Amorim's men, but it is the game after, against Burnley at Old Trafford, that looks most appealing. Cunha could be set to explode off the left flank - and at £8.0m, he looks great value.
- Salah's surprise verdict on Premier League title 'favourites'
- 'Disappointed' Newcastle respond after Isak says 'relationship can't continue'
2. Pape Matar Sarr, £5.0m (Midfielder, Tottenham Hotspur, 2.8%)
- Next six games: Manchester City (a), Bournemouth (h), West Ham United (a), Brighton & Hove Albion (a), Wolverhampton Wanderers (h), Leeds United (a)
"Hang on... didn't you pick Sarr last week?"
We did. And while his ownership has nudged up from 2.5% to 2.8%, it is clear not everyone got the memo.
Sarr bagged an assist in Spurs' 3-0 win over Burnley and was just two defensive contributions shy of hitting the 12 target - closer than anyone else in the team. Next up? Manchester City: a side that will both test Spurs defensively and leave space for Sarr to break into. He remains an underrated pick, even at the Etihad.
3. Eliezer Mayenda, £5.5m (Forward, Sunderland, 1.5%)
- Next six games: Burnley (a), Brentford (h), Crystal Palace (a), Aston Villa (h), Nottingham Forest (a), Man Utd (a)
In the market for a knee-jerk signing to spice up your frontline? Step forward Eliezer Mayenda.
The Sunderland striker opened his Premier League account against West Ham, added two bonus points for good measure, and now faces a Burnley side that looked well off it against Spurs after managing just six tackles all game - the lowest in the league by far. If that is a sign of things to come, Mayenda could easily cash in again at Turf Moor.
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