Manchester United will look to take all three points when they return to Old Trafford to take on Fulham in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon. The Reds are seeking to build upon their impressive form of late, keeping up the pressure of those above for a top-four place and Champions League qualification for next season. In the reverse fixture back in November, captain Bruno Fernandes struck the crucial and 91st minute-winning goal to give us a narrow win at Craven Cottage.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stake in Manchester United now all complete, optimism has been growing in recent weeks around the club and amongst the fans. Our top four ambitions have increased following a four-game winning run in the league. United have secured victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United, and Aston Villa which was followed by last weekend’s 2-1 win away at Luton Town. In-form striker Rasmus Højlund had scored twice within the game’s first seven minutes. Carlton Morris had pulled one goal back for the Hatters soon after.
The Reds could not find the net again despite several opportunities in front of goal during the second half. Erik Ten Hag’s side held their nerve for the three points to consolidate sixth place in the Premier League table. United are now chasing down Tottenham Hotspur who are just three points above in fifth, whilst Aston Villa hold a four-point advantage over us in fourth place.
After the Fulham game, next up will be the small matter of the Manchester derby but the focus will be firstly at Old Trafford on Saturday. We will be confident of achieving victory have won 13 and drawn 3 of our last 16 games against the Cottagers. A win for United would see us achieve a 100% win rate in a month and who last won back-to-back league games at Old Trafford since August last year.
Manchester United Team News
United have been dealt with a huge injury blow as Luke Shaw is facing a few months out after the recurrence of his muscular injury in the win away at Luton Town last weekend. Reports have suggested that the defender’s season is over and could potentially miss the Euros this summer.
Erik Ten Hag confirmed in his press conference that Rasmus Højlund will miss the Fulham game due to a muscle injury and is expected to be out for the next two to three weeks.
Also, in the treatment room are Aaron Wan-Bissaka (unspecified), Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia (both knee), Anthony Martial (groin), and Mason Mount (calf).
Victor Lindelof is likely to be one to step into the left-back role though Ten Hag could potentially choose Sofyan Amrabat have previously played in that position early on in the season. Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, and Harry Maguire are set to make up the rest of the defense.
It is expected that it will be the same midfield for the fifth consecutive league game with Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes all operating behind Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof;
Casemiro, Mainoo;
Garnacho, Fernandes, Antony;
Rashford.
Opposition Preview
In the first two opening games of the month, Fulham picked up four points having drawn 2-2 at Burnley and winning 3-1 at home to Bournemouth. The Cottagers were condemned to a 2-1 defeat last weekend against Aston Villa, their 12th loss of the campaign. Ollie Watkins scored twice to put the visitors in control before Rodrigo Muniz netted his fourth goal in three games to give Fulham some hope of a comeback. However, they were unable to get the equaliser and saw their first defeat at Craven Cottage in 2024.
The Cottagers have struggled to find consistency this season having only won back-to-back games once which was back in December. They currently occupy 12th place in the table eight points clear of the relegation zone and by the same amount of points behind Newcastle United in eighth spot.
They head to Old Trafford on Saturday with the second-worst away record in the league campaign this season. Only bottom of the table Sheffield United (five) have achieved fewer points on the road than Fulham (seven). After winning 2-1 away at Everton on the opening day of the season, they have not won in their last eleven away matches, losing seven of those.
The only victory for Fulham at Old Trafford goes back to October 2003 when under former manager Chris Coleman they secured a 3-1 win with goals from Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque, and Junichi Inamoto.
Fulham Team News
Fulham will be without midfielder Joao Palhinha, who is serving a two-match suspension after picking up 10 yellow cards. This could see either Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic or Alex Iwobi deputise alongside Tom Cairney in the midfield. They are also without striker Raul Jimenez with a thigh injury, whilst Kenny Tete (calf) and Armando Broja (illness) will be given fitness tests ahead of the game having missed the defeat against Aston Villa last weekend.
Calvin Bassey will be looking to return to the lineup at centre-back ahead of Issa Diop. Harry Wilson and Adama Traore are pushing alongside Bobby De Cordova-Reid to be on the right flank. Willian will be operating on the left flank with Rodrigo Muniz up front.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LDWWWW
Manchester United (all competitions): DWWWWW
Fulham Premier League form: WLDDWL
Fulham form (all competitions): DLDDWL
Prediction
Whilst United have still shown to have weaknesses in the defence, the opposite end of the pitch has seen a different story since the start of the year with Rasmus Højlund in fine form of late in front of goal. We will be full of confidence going into this fixture and Ten Hag’s side is now looking more resurgent as we chase down Tottenham and Aston Villa in the race for top four.
Manchester United 3-1 Fulham
