Top-four hopefuls Manchester United will endeavour to claim maximum points for the fifth consecutive Premier League game when they play host to Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams meet for the first time since November 4 when Bruno Fernandes scored in the 91st minute to help the Red Devils secure a narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.
Match preview
© Reuters
Although Man United are "a long way behind" knocking rivals Manchester City and Liverpool "off their perch" in the eyes of new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, top-four aspirations have grown in recent weeks following an impressive four-game winning streak.
Victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham United and Aston Villa were followed by last weekend's 2-1 win at Luton Town, a game in which in-form striker Rasmus Hojlund scored twice in the opening seven minutes before Carlton Morris pulled one back for the Hatters on the 14-minute mark.
Erik ten Hag's side were unable to increase their lead at Kenilworth Road, but they held on for all three points to consolidate sixth place in the Premier League table. Man United are now breathing down the necks of Tottenham Hotspur, who sit just three points ahead of them in fifth and are not in action this weekend, while Aston Villa in fourth currently hold a five-point advantage over the Red Devils.
The small matter of the Manchester derby is on the horizon, but Man United must first shift their attention to Saturday's clash with Fulham and they will be confident of success considering that they have won 13 and drawn three of their last 16 Premier League meetings with the Cottagers.
Victory for Man United – who last won back-to-back league games at Old Trafford in August last year – would see them boast a 100% win rate in a month in which they have played at least five top-flight matches for the first time since January 2009.
© Reuters
After collecting four points from their first two games in February, drawing 2-2 at Burnley and beating Bournemouth 3-1 on home soil, Fulham were condemned to a 2-1 home defeat against Aston Villa last weekend – their 12th league loss of the campaign.
Ollie Watkins scored either side of half time to put the visitors in control before Rodrigo Muniz netted his fourth goal in three games to provide Fulham with hope of a comeback in the final half-hour. However, the Cottagers were unable to find an equaliser and had to settle for their first defeat at Craven Cottage in 2024.
Marco Silva's men have struggled to find consistency this season, winning back-to-back matches just once in early December, and they subsequently sit mid-table, occupying 12th place with eight points separating them from both the bottom three and Newcastle United in eighth spot.
Fulham head to Old Trafford this weekend with the second-worst away record in the Premier League this season; only basement club Sheffield United (five) have accumulated fewer points than the Cottagers (seven) on the road. Since beating Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park in their opening fixture of the season back in August, they have failed to win any of their last 11 away matches, losing seven.
Success at Man United has also been hard to come by for Fulham, who have lost 13 of their last 16 away encounters with the Red Devils – their only triumph during this period was under former boss Chris Coleman back in October 2003 when they claimed a 3-1 victory thanks to goals from Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque and Junichi Inamoto.
Team News
© Reuters
Man United have been dealt a double injury blow this week as both Hojlund and Luke Shaw have been ruled out with muscle injuries; the former is set to miss the next "two to three weeks" while the latter is facing "a few months" on the sidelines.
The Red Devils will also have to cope without Aaron Wan-Bissaka (unspecified), Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia (both knee), Anthony Martial (groin) and Mason Mount (calf) as they continue to recover from long-term injuries.
Victor Lindelof is the most likely candidate to replace Shaw at left-back, although Sofyan Amrabat is also an option having previously played on the left side of defence earlier this season, while Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire are expected to complete the back four.
The absence of Hojlund will likely see Marcus Rashford deployed as a central striker, with Alejandro Garnacho moved over to the left flank and Antony recalled to start on the right wing.
As for Fulham, star midfielder Joao Palhinha will serve a two-match suspension after accumulating 10 yellow cards this season, so either Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic or Alex Iwobi is set to deputise in the middle of the pitch alongside Tom Cairney.
The Cottagers will also have to cope without striker Raul Jimenez (thigh), while Kenny Tete (calf) and Chelsea loanee Armando Broja (illness) will both be assessed ahead of kickoff after missing the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.
Calvin Bassey will be pushing to return at centre-back ahead of Issa Diop, while Harry Wilson and Adama Traore are set to battle with Bobby De Cordova-Reid for a start on the right flank, as Willian operates on the left and Muniz most likely plays up front.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Cairney, Iwobi; De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
We say: Manchester United 3-1 Fulham
Man United may continue to show signs of weakness at the back, but they have found their groove in the final third since the turn of the year and will be full of confidence heading into Saturday's contest versus a Fulham side against whom they boast an impressive head-to-head record.
Fulham's miserable winless away run is a cause for concern, and although they held their own in the reverse fixture with the Red Devils, it is difficult to back against Ten Hag's resurgent side in front of an upbeat Old Trafford crowd, even without the presence of Hojlund.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
