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
- Manchester United have lost just four of their 34 Premier League meetings with Fulham (W24 D6). However, one of those defeats came in their most recent encounter in February, with the Cottagers winning 2-1 at Old Trafford. Following that victory at Old Trafford, Fulham will aim to win consecutive away league games against Manchester United for the first time. The Cottagers have faced the Red Devils at Old Trafford in their opening league match three times previously, losing all three (0-1 in 1950/51, 2-3 in 2001/02 and 1-5 in 2006/07).
- Three of the last four Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Fulham have seen the away side win, with each victory coming courtesy of a 90th-minute winning goal (Manchester United x2, Fulham x1).
- Fulham have only lost the opening Premier League match in two of the last nine seasons at this level (W4 D3), keeping six clean sheets across these nine games.
- Manchester United have lost their last two Premier League home games against teams from London, with Fulham winning 2-1 in February and Arsenal winning 1-0 in May. London clubs have not emerged victorious in three consecutive league visits to Old Trafford since a run of five between December 1985 and September 1986.
- Marco Silva is unbeaten in his last nine Matchday 1 league matches as a manager (W3 D6) encompassing games with Estoril (W1), Sporting CP (D1), Olympiacos (W1), Watford (D1), Everton (D2), and Fulham (W1 D2), with his last defeat coming in the Primeira Liga with Estoril in 2012/13 (1-2 vs Olhanense).
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
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.