Fulham vs. Manchester United | Premier League | Pre Match

In a rematch from the inaugural fixture of the 2024-25 Premier League season, Fulham and Manchester United will clash once again at Craven Cottage on Sunday evening. The opening encounter of the campaign saw Manchester United edge out Marco Silva's Fulham 1-0 at Old Trafford, courtesy of a debut goal from Joshua Zirkzee. Fast forward to this critical point in the season, and the Cottagers find themselves seven points ahead of the Red Devils in the Premier League standings, a testament to their contrasting fortunes since that August day.

Manchester United's season has been one of turbulence and inconsistency. That early-season victory over Fulham, spearheaded by Zirkzee's strike, feels like a distant memory now. United's decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag and appoint Ruben Amorim as manager has yet to yield the desired transformation. The Portuguese tactician, one of the most sought-after young coaches in European football, has struggled to steady the ship, with his side enduring frequent setbacks. Last weekend's 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, masterminded by 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, was emblematic of United's woes under Amorim's leadership. The loss marked their 10th Premier League defeat of the season, leaving them languishing in a disappointing 13th place, perilously closer to the relegation zone than the top seven in terms of points.

Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford has been far from smooth sailing, and Sunday’s match presents him with the potential to set an unwanted personal record. With six Premier League losses already under his belt this season, another defeat would mark the first time in his managerial career that he has suffered seven league defeats in a single campaign. Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope for United. A dramatic midweek victory over Rangers in the Europa League, thanks to a last-gasp intervention by captain Bruno Fernandes, propelled them to their third win in four games across all competitions. This success offered a much-needed morale boost as they seek to claw their way back to form domestically.

Fulham, on the other hand, have navigated the season with greater steadiness. Silva's side have shown resilience and an ability to grind out results when needed, most recently demonstrated in their 2-0 victory over Leicester City. Goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Adama Traore secured the Cottagers' first Premier League win of 2025, following a loss to West Ham United and a hard-fought draw against Ipswich Town. This result was not just a welcome three points but also a reflection of Fulham's growing consistency, with the team now boasting just one defeat in their last 11 matches across all competitions.

This commendable run of form has propelled Fulham into the top half of the table, sitting just four points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth as the weekend looms. Silva's men have found joy in front of goal lately, scoring at least twice in each of their last five league matches. However, their propensity for drawing games at home remains a concern, with each of their last four top-flight encounters at Craven Cottage ending in stalemates. While a point against Manchester United would further solidify their position in the standings, Silva will undoubtedly be targeting all three to boost their European ambitions.

Historically, however, Craven Cottage has not been kind to Fulham when Manchester United come to town. The Red Devils have won their last seven Premier League visits to this venue, a streak that stretches back over a decade. Fulham’s last home triumph over United came in December 2009, when goals from Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora, and Danny Murphy secured a famous victory. Overcoming this psychological hurdle will be crucial if Silva’s men are to assert their newfound confidence against their illustrious opponents.

Team selection could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this clash. Manchester United’s midweek victory over Rangers came at a significant cost, with defensive duo Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro both forced off injured. Amorim has remained tight-lipped about their availability for Sunday’s fixture, but their absence would undoubtedly leave a significant void at the back. Other injury concerns persist, with Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, and Luke Shaw all sidelined, though Victor Lindelof's return to training and Noussair Mazraoui’s expected availability offer some solace. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, despite his error against Brighton, is likely to reclaim his place in the starting lineup.

Fulham, by contrast, have a relatively clean bill of health. Only Kenny Tete and Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson are confirmed absentees for Silva’s side, leaving the manager with several options to tweak his lineup. Midfield lynchpin Sasa Lukic, however, must tread carefully, as another booking would result in a two-game suspension. Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed are among the players waiting in the wings should Silva opt to rest Lukic ahead of a crucial run of fixtures. On the flanks, Adama Traore’s impactful performance against Leicester may see him replace Alex Iwobi in the starting XI.

The tactical battle between Silva and Amorim will also be a key subplot. Silva has molded Fulham into a well-drilled, disciplined unit capable of exploiting opposition weaknesses, while Amorim’s tactical flexibility and preference for a back-three system have yet to yield consistent results at Old Trafford. United’s defensive fragility, exacerbated by injuries, could be an area for Fulham to exploit, particularly with Smith Rowe and Traore in fine form. On the other hand, the individual brilliance of players like Fernandes and Marcus Rashford could provide United with the cutting edge they need to secure a vital victory.

As both sides prepare for Sunday’s encounter, the stakes could not be higher. For Manchester United, the match represents an opportunity to arrest their slide and regain some momentum in their pursuit of a respectable league finish. For Fulham, it is a chance to continue their upward trajectory and prove that they can compete with the Premier League’s traditional powerhouses. The contrasting fortunes of the two clubs this season add an intriguing layer of complexity to what promises to be a compelling contest.

The atmosphere at Craven Cottage will undoubtedly be electric, with the home fans eager to witness their team end United’s dominant run on this ground. The visitors, however, will be buoyed by their midweek success and determined to rewrite the narrative of their faltering league campaign. As the two teams take to the pitch, the outcome of this battle could have significant ramifications for their respective seasons, setting the tone for what lies ahead in the crucial months to come.