Manchester United will aim to continue their winning run when they welcome Fulham to Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The 2023/24 Premier League season continues this weekend with Gameweek 26. The latest round of fixtures kicks off with four simultaneous games instead of the early lunchtime match, with one of those witnessing Manchester United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United have endured a topsy-turvy ride throughout the 2023/24 season. While they will unlikely lift a trophy this term unless they topple a few favourites in the FA Cup. As for matters in the Premier League, they have won four successive games to cut the gap to the top four. And they are one of three top-flight clubs yet to lose a match in 2024.
As for Fulham, they have blown hot and cold throughout the 2023/24 campaign, with Aleksandar Mitrovic’s departure hurting their fortunes. The Cottagers currently occupy the 12th spot in the Premier League standings, nine points clear of the drop zone. And they have won only one of their last eight games, with the run pulling them close to the bottom three.
The reverse fixture was a closely contested affair that saw Manchester United clinching a 1-0 win over Fulham. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Fulham on Saturday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of six first-team players.
Luke Shaw is the latest absentee after he aggravated his hamstring injury last weekend. In addition, Rasmus Hojlund, who made history last week, has picked up a muscle injury. The duo has joined Lisandro Martinez (knee), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock), Mason Mount (calf), and Anthony Martial (groin) in the treatment room.
Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Fulham. Victor Lindelof should replace Shaw as the left-back, joining Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, and Harry Maguire in the backline.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will pair up in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford continuing as the wide attackers. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line for Manchester United against Fulham.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
Fulham
Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Marco Silva has greeted a mixed bag of updates on the team news front ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Fulham manager will be without two first-team players on Saturday.
The good news is Armando Broja, Kenny Tete, and Willian should return after recovering from their respective issues. But Joao Palhinha will serve a two-match suspension after picking up his tenth booking of the 2023/24 season. Raul Jimenez is the only other absentee, with the Mexican striker recovering from a hamstring injury.
Fulham will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United, with Bernd Leno taking his spot in the goal. The backline should feature Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Tim Ream, and Antonee Robinson.
As for the midfield unit, Alex Iwobi should pair up with Tom Cairney in the double pivot. Andreas Pereira will look to pull the strings from an advanced position, with Willian and Bobby De Cordova-Reid being the two wide attackers. Finally, Rodrigo Muniz should spearhead the Fulham attack, with Broja being an option on the bench.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Cairney, Iwobi; De Cordova-Reid, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
Key Stats
- Manchester United are unbeaten in 16 Premier League games against Fulham since a 3-0 away defeat in 2009. Fulham’s solitary victory in 16 most recent league visits to Old Trafford was by 3-1 in 2003.
- Manchester United have won five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since January last year. They are unbeaten in their last 26 Premier League games in February (W17 D9), with their most recent defeat in this month coming six years ago.
- Fulham are without a win in their last 11 Premier League away fixtures (D4 L7). Only Sheffield United have earned fewer points on the road than Fulham’s seven this season. However, the Cottagers are unbeaten in their most recent 11 away league games played in February (W5 D6).
- Rasmus Hojlund has scored seven goals from just 11 shots in his last six top-flight outings, a league-high shot conversion rate of 64%. The Dane is only the fourth United player to score in six consecutive Premier League games, emulating Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Eric Cantona.
- Rodrigo Muniz has four goals in his last three Premier League appearances, having failed to score in his first ten outings in the division.
Player to Watch
Antony
Rasmus Hojlund’s injury has come as a major blow for Manchester United, and they will dearly miss the Danish international. But it also creates an opportunity for Antony, who will likely get a few opportunities to feature from the get-go in the coming weeks.
The Brazilian international has been dreadful this season, compelling Manchester United to consider cashing in on him. But he has a few months to turn things around for himself, starting with the game against Fulham, with the Cottagers struggling at the back.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
The Red Devils have an excellent head-to-head record against their visitors in the past decade and a half. In addition, despite not looking convincing during their current winning run, Manchester United have found a way to get past their opponents and should do so against Fulham.
The Cottagers have been dreadful on the road, having not clinched three points in 11 away games. But Manchester United’s vulnerabilities mean Fulham might be in the conversation for a point this weekend.
In addition Rasmus Hojlund’s absence is a boost for Fulham, although Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford should step up finding the back of the net to help Erik ten Hag and his charges clinch a 2-1 win on Saturday.
