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Manchester United travel to Fulham on Matchday 2 of this Premier League season, hoping to register their first win of the new campaign.
Despite suffering defeat on the opening day, United did show signs of improvement, with Ruben Amorim’s new-look frontline causing Arsenal plenty of issues at Old Trafford.
However, the team needs to log points as quickly as possible if United are to avoid falling behind the chasing pack in the early stages and ease the pressure on Amorim’s shoulders.
Fulham are also looking for their first win, but they did manage to salvage a point in their curtain-raiser through a last-gasp Rodrigo Muniz equalizer at Brighton.
Muniz is Fulham’s main goal-scoring threat and Matthijs de Ligt will be charged with stopping the Brazilian this afternoon.
De Ligt was at his imperious best in the loss to Arsenal and will fancy his chances of dealing with Muniz at Craven Cottage.
Wing backs key to success
Amorim’s selection headache will include whether to start Diogo Dalot or Amad Diallo in the right wing back position with Alex Iwobi, who has caused United issues in recent years, likely to start on the left flank for the hosts.
Should Amad get the nod, it would be a signal of intent from Amorim who will want United on the front foot and imposing themselves on the opposition from the off.
Amad is a huge threat when running at defenders and starting the Ivorian will only add to United’s attacking armoury.
If the 23-year-old can get in 1v1 situations, he has the ability to beat his man or play cute balls to his team mates in and around the box to get in behind the enemy back line.
Today looks like an opportunity for Amorim’s system to flourish, with the wing backs likely to get space and time on the ball to drive at the Fulham full backs.
Patrick Dorgu enjoyed a fine pre-season, and he continued that form against Arsenal and he, alongside Amad, could be the key to victory in West London.
Both players are comfortable in attacking areas of the pitch and if they do link successfully with the front three this afternoon, United will have plenty of options in dangerous spaces.
New signings to get up and running
Naturally, the front three will be desperate to start chalking up goals and assists after drawing a blank last week with Benjamin Sesko hoping to joining Cunha and Mbeumo up front.
Sesko has the ability to occupy both the Fulham centre backs which should then leave room for Cunha and Mbeumo to weave their magic in the space between the lines.
As they did last week, United will enjoy plenty of the ball at Craven Cottage and Amorim will be instructing his players to remain patient in their build up to avoid sloppy transitions.
With this in mind, United’s deep lying midfielders will be best served feeding the wide men with the ball on the floor to give them license to connect with the front men and overpower Marco Silva’s defenders with quality.
Should United take care of the early exchanges and manage to quieten the home fans, they should grow into the game and find themselves exploiting the hosts’ back line throughout the 90 minutes.
Feature image Patrick McDermott via Getty Images
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