Preview for Fulham v Manchester United
Manchester United head to Fulham tomorrow hoping to build on a good performance against Arsenal last Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s men continued their encouraging pre-season with an eye-catching display against the Gunners, even though it ended in defeat.
Riccardo Calafiori’s first-half goal proved the winner but there was certainly enough on show for the Old Trafford faithful to believe there won’t be a repeat of last season’s struggles.
United have reinforced their attack with Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo and Amorim is confident the rewards will soon come.
He said: “We are better, but also because we have different characteristics and we can change that during the game. We have more options and you see we play a different style with Cunha, for example, and then in the end with Sesko because he is a different player. We are improving in that department.
“We are creating more chances, so we are ready for any kind of game. The biggest improvement we had [versus Arsenal] was we didn’t lose the ball so many times in the build-up. That was really good for our team.”
Positive performances only count for so much, however, and Amorim will be eager to get a win on the board against a Fulham side who left it extremely late to secure a draw at Brighton last Saturday.
The Cottagers appeared to be heading for defeat only for Rodrigo Muniz to net the leveller seven minutes into stoppage time.
Muniz has attracted interest from elsewhere during the transfer window but boss Marco Silva is hoping he remains in West London.
Silva said: “He is under contract with us. I am very pleased with interest from others in Rodrigo. It is a good sign, and we cannot be scared. After this, it is up to us to be resilient and to resist and be strong and sometimes to say no and other times to negotiate.
“From me, it is clear that I don’t want to lose Rodrigo. He is in contention for the game, I count on him and let us see what is going to happen. Rodrigo is likely to stay with us.”
Silva is wary of a United team he believes will be better this season.
The Portuguese added: “We are playing against a great side. I know last season was not the way they wanted. This season, they have spent heavily and signed a striker that all in the market were looking for in Europe [Sesko]. For us, it is a very important and it is going to be a very demanding Premier League game.”
Team News for Fulham v Manchester United
Ryan Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson have trained this week but no decision will be made on their availability until nearer kick-off. If neither man is fit, Calvin Bassey will continue to deputise at left-back.
United have to decide whether to throw Sesko in from the start after he came off the bench against Arsenal.
Amorim refused to say whether Andre Onana would return in goal or if he will stick with Altay Bayindir.
Predicted line-ups for Fulham v Manchester United
Fulham: Leno; Tete, Andersen, Cuenca, Bassey; Lukic, Berge, Wilson, King, Iwobi; Jimenez
Manchester United: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko
How to watch Fulham v Manchester United
Fulham versus Manchester United kicks off at 4.30pm UK time on Sunday. It can be watched as part of Sky Sports’ Super Sunday and streamed via the Sky Go app.
Stats for Fulham v Manchester United
- Fulham have lost the last 3 home matches in a row in the Premier League while scoring less than 1.5 goals
- In 9 of the last 11 Manchester United matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- In 7 of the last 9 Manchester United matches in the Premier League, the total number of goals was under 2.5
Prediction for Fulham v Manchester United
A front three of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko ought to pep up United’s attacking threat and we think they should nick this one.
Prediction: Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
