Manchester United vs Fulham: Preview and Prediction

Manchester United and Fulham will get the 2024/25 Premier League season underway when they clash at Old Trafford on Friday.

The summer break is over, the clubs have completed their final preparations in their pre-season campaigns, and we are ready to kick-start the 2024/25 season. Manchester United and Fulham will be the first two clubs to take the field this term when they lock horns at Old Trafford on Friday night.

Manchester United did not have the ideal pre-season preparations as they lost three of their five friendlies while only beating Rangers and Real Betis. The Red Devils have already played one competitive game this term, losing the FA Community Shield tie to Manchester City on penalties, although they should have won that match.

As for Fulham, they were much more impressive in their pre-season campaign as they won four of their five fixtures while narrowly going down to Sevilla. The West London outfit beat Queens Park Rangers, Watford, SL Benfica, and TSG Hoffenheim. While pre-season results are not a true indicator of a team’s form, there have been many positive signs for Marco Silva and his charges.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Fulham eke out a 2-1 win over Manchester United, with Alex Iwobi scoring the winner with one of the last kicks of the game. 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 the opening Premier League game of the 2024/25 season. Against Fulham on Friday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players.

Luke Shaw is the latest absentee, with the Englishman sustaining a calf injury that will keep him unavailable for a few weeks. Shaw has joined Leny Yoro (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring) on the sidelines. Meanwhile, new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui should be available to take on Fulham.

Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Fulham. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Mazraoui.

As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot. Bruno Fernandes, fresh off signing a new contract with Manchester United, will reprise his usual no. 10 role, while Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford should be the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will likely spearhead the Manchester United attack on Friday.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee

Fulham

Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Marco Silva does not have any fitness issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Fulham manager has a full-strength squad for the opening Premier League fixture of the 2024/25 season.

Fulham will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Manchester United, with Bernd Leno an automatic pick between the sticks. The backline should feature Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey, and Antonee Robinson, with Silva giving new signing Jorge Cuenca some time to settle down at the West London club.

As for the midfield unit, Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed should pair up in the double pivot, with Fulham feeling the absence of Joao Palhinha. Andreas Pereira will reprise his usual no. 10 role, with Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe being the two wide attackers. Finally, there is no looking past Rodrigo Muniz as the leader of the Fulham attack.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Reed; Iwobi, Pereira, Smith Rowe; Muniz

Key Stats

Player to Watch

Marcus Rashford

Embed from Getty Images

Alejandro Garnacho made a tremendous impact off the bench, while Amad Diallo is on course to enjoy the best season of his career thus far. So, the onus is on Marcus Rashford to step up and rediscover his best form in the early days of the 2024/25 season.

With the two youngsters making their mark, Rashford’s spot is at risk, especially if he continues from where he left off last season. The Englishman is seemingly still the first-choice left-winger for Manchester United. However, it will not be surprising to see Erik ten Hag lose patience if Amad and Garnacho continue delivering the goods.

Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Fulham

It will not be surprising to see the first match of the 2024/25 season go exactly the same way as the corresponding fixture from last term. Manchester United continue to look unconvincing and uninspiring while Fulham might be one of the most in-form Premier League teams based on pre-season results.

However, Bruno Fernandes looks in good touch despite barely featuring during the pre-season campaign, while Amad Diallo might embark on the best season of his career. While Manchester United might appear vulnerable on the counter, they should have enough quality to beat Bernd Leno and clinch three points on Friday. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Erik ten Hag and his charges.

Exit mobile version