Date and Time: 16th August 2024, 20:00 BST
Place: Old Trafford
As the Premier League 2024/25 season begins, Manchester United and Fulham face off in what promises to be an intriguing opening fixture. United, under Erik ten Hag, aims to start strong, bolstered by the addition of new signings and a positive pre-season.
Team News
Manchester United:
United faces several injury challenges with key players like Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka unavailable. Rasmus Hojlund is also sidelined.
The team is buoyed by the presence of new signing Mason Mount, who is expected to provide a creative spark in midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.
Despite these setbacks, the club's faith in Ten Hag remains strong, reminiscent of Arsenal's patience with Mikel Arteta during their rebuilding phase (Premier League News) (Sports Mole) (Sky Sports).
Fulham:
Fulham enters this match without Joao Palhinha, who has transferred to Bayern Munich for €50 million, leaving a significant gap in their midfield. They also miss the services of Raul Jimenez due to a thigh injury.
The team, which has struggled in pre-season, will be looking to regroup under the leadership of Marco Silva, although they have not made significant signings to replace their losses (Sports Mole) (Wikipedia).
Analysis
Manchester United has been proactive in their preparations, participating in numerous friendly matches to build form and cohesion. In contrast, Fulham has been less active in the transfer market and enters the season with several key departures and injuries. This difference in preparation and squad stability might favor United as they look to start strong and capitalize on any early-season vulnerabilities in Fulham's lineup.
The game promises to be an exciting start to the season, with United fans eager to see their team push for major honors both domestically and in Europe. The support for Ten Hag indicates confidence in his ability to lead the team to greater heights, much like Arteta's eventual success at Arsenal (Premier League News) (Sports Mole).
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United:
Goalkeeper: Andre Onana
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Sergio Reguilon
Midfielders: Casemiro, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes
Forwards: Antony, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho
Fulham:
Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Tim Ream, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson
Midfielders: Sasa Lukic, Harrison Reed
Forwards: Bobby Decordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Willian, Rodrigo Muniz.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Recent head-to-head encounters between Manchester United and Fulham show a dominant performance by United:
24.02.24, Premier League: Manchester United 1-2 Fulham
04.11.23, Premier League: Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
28.05.23, Premier League: Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
19.03.23, FA Cup: Manchester United 3-1 Fulham
13.11.22, Premier League: Fulham 1-2 Manchester United
Manchester United has won most of their recent encounters with Fulham, except for a surprising loss earlier this year. This track record, combined with their current form, suggests a strong likelihood of a positive result for United.
Predicted Outcome: Manchester United Win
Manchester United is expected to leverage their home advantage and superior squad depth to secure a win. Fulham, despite a challenging pre-season and significant squad changes, will look to remain competitive but may struggle against a well-prepared United side.
Final Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Fulham
This prediction is based on United's strong preparation and Fulham's struggles with player departures and injuries. The Red Devils are favored to dominate, particularly in attack, where they have the potential to exploit Fulham's defensive vulnerabilities. The game will be a significant test for both teams as they set the tone for their respective seasons.
Fans can watch the match live on Sky Sports, starting at 20:00 BST. This opening fixture sets the stage for what promises to be another thrilling Premier League season.
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