Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Manchester United and Fulham. The North-West giants have gone four games without a win in the league and sit in eighth place, and it's bottom-of-the-table Fulham who head into this fixture in the better form.

LATEST! There is a Premier League fixture which is already taking place, but it may be all over as a contest with Liverpool leading by a 3-0 scoreline at Bournemouth. Click here to catch the closing stages.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups, beginning with that of the home side...

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Dalot, Jones, Smalling, Young; Herrera, Matic; Mata, Lingard, Rashford; Lukaku

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Rojo, Shaw, Fellaini, Fred, McTominay, Pogba

FULHAM XI: Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream, Bryan; Seri, Anguissa, Cairney; Schurrle, Mitrovic, Sessegnon

FULHAM SUBSTITUTES: Bettinelli, Kebano, Johansen, Vietto, Christie, Cisse, Kamara

Jose Mourinho has not been shy with tinkering with his United starting lineup in recent weeks, and that has continued this afternoon. The most notable recall is for Romelu Lukaku, but Paul Pogba will again begin on the substitutes' bench.

There is also a change in system, with Mourinho reverting back to 4-2-3-1 having used a 3-4-3 strategy against Arsenal. Phil Jones is back in the team with Eric Bailly missing out and Ashley Young has taken the place of Matteo Darmian. However, Diogo Dalot retains his spot in the side.

Central midfield remains the same with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera keeping their places, but Juan Mata has been recalled to the starting lineup with Anthony Martial sitting out the contest through injury.

The bench is lacking many options in the final third. Marouane Fellaini can be used in an advanced position but that is as good as it gets. Fred is back in the squad after being left out in midweek, while Luke Shaw returns having recovered from the knock sustained at Southampton last weekend.

As for Fulham, Claudio Ranieri has also decided to make a number of alterations to his starting lineup. Two changes have been made in the full-back areas with Cyrus Christie and Maxime Le Marchand being replaced by Tim Ream and Joe Bryan. Denis Odoi will line up at right-back with Ream partnering Mawson in the centre.

There is also no place for Calum Chambers, who must surely be injured given the high standard of his recent performances in the centre of the park. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa has been brought in as a replacement for the Arsenal loanee.

Aboubakar Kamara and Luciano Vietto only feature on the substitutes' bench, with Tom Cairney and Andre Schurrle returning to the side. Cairney is likely to play as the most advanced of a midfield three.

Like with United, Fulham's bench is also lacking in firepower and the onus will be on Aleksandar Mitrovic to add to his seven Premier League goals for the season. The Serbian is one of just five different goalscorers for Fulham in the league during the current campaign.

RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone at the Vitality Stadium and Liverpool have recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory over Bournemouth. A certain forward got back on the goal trail. Click here to read our on-the-whistle match report.

That heavy defeat for Bournemouth - and the fact that Everton don't play until Monday - has left the door wide open for United to move into sixth place with a draw or win this afternoon.

Fulham can move as high as 16th with victory at Old Trafford, although a point may be enough to take the club into 18th place.

It's a big afternoon for Joe Bryan. The former Bristol City man has not featured much since the beginning of the season, but the left-back gets the chance to make his fifth Premier League start today.

🎤 Joe Bryan talking to the media ahead of the match this afternoon. #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/5SpcksmwLK — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 8, 2018

It has been well documented that United have endured a poor start to the season, but losing to Fulham would result in their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign at the 16-game mark.

This is an outrageous stat. United have not recorded four successive draws in the Premier League since 1992, but that will be achieved with another stalemate today.

United have conceded 10 goals at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season. They did not ship that amount of goals at their home ground throughout the whole of the last campaign.

The absence of Martial and Pogba being left on the bench means that of those featuring in the United starting lineup this afternoon, only Lukaku has scored more than two goals in the Premier League this season. It's time for the likes of Lingard and Rashford to step up this afternoon.

Let's turn our attention to Fulham now who have made the trip to Manchester looking to end a run of 10 away games without a win in the Premier League.

Fulham are also desperate to end their lengthy period without a clean sheet in the Premier League. No shutout has been recorded in 19 matches.

On a brighter note, Ranieri has improved the confidence in his squad and although just one point has been registered from games against Chelsea and Leicester City, the Italian will take plenty of positives from two encouraging performances.

PREDICTION! Fulham will believe that they can extend United's winless run at Old Trafford, but the home side are due a victory in front of their own supporters and a Cottagers side still conceding goals are the perfect opponents for Mourinho's men. United to prevail by a 3-1 scoreline.

HEAD TO HEAD! This afternoon's meeting represents the 83rd competitive clash between the two clubs, with United recording 49 wins in comparison to 14 victories for Fulham.

United are unbeaten in their last 10 fixtures with Fulham, although the two teams have not faced each other since a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in February 2014.

Fulham have not emerged victorious at Old Trafford since Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque and Junichi Inamoto all got on the scoresheet in a 3-1 triumph in 2003.

We will also be providing coverage of the fixture between Arsenal and Huddersfield Town this afternoon. You can follow that fixture by clicking here.

It's time for the two teams to make their way out at Old Trafford. The away faithful sound excited for a chance to heap further misery on United, while Mourinho is making his way to the dugout looking like a man who knows that his side must get three points on the board this afternoon.

A reminder of the two starting lineups...

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Dalot, Jones, Smalling, Young; Herrera, Matic; Mata, Lingard, Rashford; Lukaku

FULHAM XI: Rico; Odoi, Mawson, Ream, Bryan; Seri, Anguissa, Cairney; Schurrle, Mitrovic, Sessegnon

KICKOFF:  Fulham get us underway. Andreas Pereira has replaced Luke Shaw on the United bench due to Shaw picking up an injury in the warm-up.

Not much to report in the first couple of minutes aside from two quick-fire offsides, one for either side.

It's absolutely lashing it down with rain at Old Trafford, You would think that would suit United rather than Fulham. It's the Cottagers who are having the majority of possession at this stage, however.

United manage to get Rashford on the ball inside the penalty area, and the attacker attempts to engineer a chance for himself. However, Fulham do well by pushing the forward away from goal before eventually getting the ball clear.

It's been an uneventful start to this match. Neither side have posed much of a threat in the final third. Fulham are sure to be the more satisfied.

Rashford against Odoi looks like it could be a good battle. The United forward has just attempted to go around the outside of the stand-in full-back, but it was the Fulham man who came out on top.

Fulham win a corner out on the left-hand side, but the outswinging delivery does not find a man in a white shirt. United have a goal kick.

GOAL!  Manchester United 1-0 Fulham (Ashley Young)

United take the lead with the first shot in this match! Young cut inside from the left and having managed to battle his way past Odoi and into the penalty area, the Englishman found the far top corner with a well-struck effort from 15 yards out. Great goal!

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Going behind has only increased the pressure on Fulham, but the United supporters will also be demanding that their side continue to go on the offensive. There should still be space for the visitors to play their football.

Some of Fulham's play in the centre of the park has been attractive, but it hasn't looked like being enough to create an opening for Mitrovic. United are taking the more direct approach and look more of a threat.

SHOT!  United are starting to knock on the door again. A cross from Dalot finds Smalling at the back post, but the United centre-back sees a header deflected wide for a corner.

SHOT!  Better from Fulham who manage to get Mitrovic on the ball in space on the edge of the area, but the Serbian's low strike is tame and too close to De Gea.

Fulham are starting to show much more ambition now, but they have to be careful not to over-commit. United have pace down the flanks, especially the left.

This has developed into an entertaining game, but neither goalkeeper is being forced into much work between the sticks. Fulham would have been delighted with this start had it not been for Young's screamer.

We've not seen a lot of Lukaku. The forward will always be a threat when the ball is in the final third, but Mawson and Ream are currently shutting the Belgian out of the game.

GOAL!  Manchester United 2-0 Fulham (Juan Mata)

As I say that, United double their advantage. Lukaku plays in Rashford down the left flank and after biding his time, the England international picks out Mata who slots a first-time effort into the bottom corner from 16 yards out. Another quality United goal.

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Fulham don't deserve to be two goals down, but this could be any scoreline now. United have been ruthless, and you haven't been able to say that very often this season.

YELLOW CARD!  Anguissa goes into the book for a late challenge on Lingard. Bit harsh, that. There was no malice in it.

Fulham's short-term aim should be trying to reach the break without going further behind. Mourinho spoke of panic in his United defence against Arsenal and at 2-0 down, they are still in this match.

Lukaku has grown into the game ever since I criticised his impact. His hold-up play has improved over the past 10 minutes, and it is enabling United to pose much more of a sustained threat.

SHOT!  United win a free kick around 35 yards out, but Rashford decides that he wants to take the shot on. It's a super strike and is heading towards the corner, but Rico sticks out a hand to make a very good save.

There is a real spring in United's step this afternoon. Rashford has just surged towards the penalty area and he should tee up Young for the pull-back, but the pass is over-hit. Still, more positive signs from the home side.

It wouldn't be a surprise if United extend their lead before half time. Rashford is again a threat down the left and he wins a corner.

GOAL!  Manchester United 3-0 Fulham (Romelu Lukaku)

There you go. Another brilliant goal and Mourinho is ecstatic. A well-worked corner leads to Mata getting to the byline to cross for Lukaku, who provides the easy finish from around eight yards out. Game over.

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This first half is going to be a major concern for Ranieri. All of their hard work in the last three games has effectively been undone.

YELLOW CARD!  There will be two minutes of added-on time. Dalot has just gone into the book. Like the Anguissa caution, it was a bit harsh.

HALF TIME:  Manchester United 3-0 Fulham

The half-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and United have all but sealed a welcome three points. Young, Mata and Lukaku have all got on the scoresheet in what was one of United's best first-half performances of the season. Fulham haven't performed that badly, but United have been ruthless.

Each of United's goals have possessed quality. Young was granted too much space to cut inside for the opener but the finish into the far top corner was emphatic, while Mata's and Lukaku's goals came as a result of well-worked moves down the left-hand side.

Fulham's best - and only - chance of the first half went the way of Mitrovic, who fired a low shot too close to De Gea. Don't be surprised to see Ranieri make changes at the break.

KICKOFF:  United get us back underway. Ranieri has made two alterations with Cairney and Mitrovic being withdrawn for Kamara and Vietto.

It's been a low key start to the second half. Fulham have changed things up in attack with Schurrle playing a little deeper.

SHOT!  Untied look hungry for more goals and Rashford forces a solid intervention out of Rico with an effort from the edge of the area. Lukaku saw the rebound deflected wide for a corner.

As you would expect, United remain in control of this match. Fulham are still probing, but it just feels that they have already accepted defeat.

Mourinho must be really torn with what to do here. Fulham are there for the taking, but the natural instinct of the Portuguese will be to shut up shop after a busy period of fixtures.

Fulham are doing their best to get Sessegnon into the game but the youngster - who is making his 100th appearance for the Cottagers - has not really posed a threat.

It looks like United are going to be forced into a change with Smalling struggling with an injury. It's potentially the same issue which has affected him over the past week or so.

SHOT!  This is a chance for Fulham. United only half clear to the edge of the area where Schurrle is waiting, but the German can only curl over from 20 yards out.

SUBSTITUTION! Rojo is the man who will replace Smalling in the United defence.

CHANCE!  Herrera doesn't score many goals but he should have a second in three games. Mata was able to poke the ball into his compatriot's path, but a shot was hooked wide of the far post from 10 yards out.

Fulham - and Schurrle - get in down the left for a second time in the space of a few minutes, but the winger's shot - or cross - fails to find its target and goes straight across goal.

Mourinho's priority could soon be keeping just a third clean sheet in the Premier League this season. The backline still looks desperately short of confidence.

PENALTY!  Fulham win a penalty! Herrera is adjudged to have brought down Kamara inside the penalty area, but it looked like the Spaniard won the ball!

GOAL!  Kamara gets up to slot the ball into the bottom corner, with De Gea diving the opposite direction. Just before that, Kamara was fortunate not to be sent off after kicking out at Matic. The referee didn't see it.

RED CARD!  Anguissa picks up a second yellow card for a foul on Rashford but it's absolutely not a yellow card! There is barely anything it it. It's a shocker of a decision from the referee.

That's a real shame for Fulham, but I guess that they were lucky to win a penalty. Two wrongs don't make a right, but things have evened themselves out.

Mourinho will want his side to calm things down now. Things had started to get unnecessarily shaky for the home side, but they should now be able to see out the rest of this game without further alarm.

YELLOW CARD!  Seri goes into the book for tugging back Lukaku when the forward was attempting to break free from the halfway line.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both teams have made a change. Fred has been introduced for Lingard, while Cisse has taken the place of Schurrle.

United are still showing plenty of ambition in the final third, but Fulham are doing just enough to keep them out. Mourinho will be a bit disappointed that his team have not extended their advantage, but this should still be regarded as a positive showing.

CHANCE!  It should be four. Rashford does brilliantly to get into the area and deceive a defender but with just Rico to beat, the forward hit his shot far too close to the goalkeeper who claimed at the second attempt.

CHANCE!  Rico has conceded three goals but he has been one of Fulham's best players. Lukaku bundled his way across the edge of the penalty area before getting his shot away, only for Rico to react well to keep out the Belgian's strike.

GOAL!  Manchester United 4-1 Fulham (Marcus Rashford)

Those two saves matter little now. Rashford tries his luck from the left-hand side of the penalty area and his shot proves too hot to handle for Rico, who can only divert the ball into the corner at his near post. He should be saving that.

SUBSTITUTION! United make a final change as McTominay is introduced for Rashford.

Fulham are still doing their best to get a second consolation goal. Kamara should have done better having received the ball in the penalty area, but the substitute came under pressure from the United defence.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. Both teams are going through the motions now.

There is a desire from United's players to add a fifth before the full-time whistle - they have upped their intensity over the past couple of minutes - but I think we are done as far as goals are concerned.

FULL TIME:  Manchester United 4-1 Fulham

The full-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and United have registered a much-needed 4-1 victory over Fulham. Fulham had their moments, but this was a much-improved performance from United and Mourinho will be delighted ahead of next weekend's trip to Liverpool. United move into sixth position, while Fulham remain bottom.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.

If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.