Fulham Vs Manchester Utd

Fulham and Manchester United will meet again this Sunday evening at Craven Cottage in a rematch of the very first game of the 2024-25 Premier League season. Their previous encounter, which kicked off the season, saw Manchester United narrowly edge out Fulham with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in August. However, as the teams head into this weekend’s showdown, it is the Cottagers who find themselves in a stronger position in the Premier League standings, sitting a solid seven points ahead of their visitors.

Looking back at that opening fixture, Manchester United’s win over Fulham feels like it was a long time ago, especially considering the events that have unfolded since. The Red Devils’ victory in that match came courtesy of a debut Premier League goal from Joshua Zirkzee, yet a great deal has changed for both sides since then. For United, a delayed managerial decision, which saw them part ways with Erik ten Hag and bring in the much-sought-after Ruben Amorim, has yet to show the promised improvements. The impact of Amorim’s appointment has not been as transformative as expected, and the team’s recent performances have done little to allay concerns.

In the most recent of their encounters, a meeting between two youthful and inexperienced head coaches, Amorim found himself on the losing end, as Brighton & Hove Albion, managed by the 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, triumphed 3-1 at Old Trafford. This result added to the growing list of frustrations for Manchester United, who now sit with a grim record of 10 losses in the Premier League this season. The defeat to Brighton was another painful reminder of the challenges United have faced since the start of the season, and it leaves the club in a perilous position, languishing in 13th place in the league. With another poor result on Sunday, they could drop to 15th place, further solidifying their struggle to climb back up the table. Their current position also means they are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top seven.

If Manchester United fail to secure a positive result against Fulham, it would mark an unwanted milestone for Ruben Amorim, who would set a personal record for the most league losses in a single season. Currently, Amorim has already suffered six losses in the Premier League since taking charge at Old Trafford, and should he endure another defeat on Sunday, he would become the first manager in his fledgling managerial career to have lost seven league matches in one season. Despite the mounting pressure, there was a glimmer of hope for Amorim’s side on Thursday evening, as his captain Bruno Fernandes came through with a dramatic late goal to lead United to a crucial 1-0 victory over Rangers in the Europa League. This win, coming after a difficult run of results, propelled United to their third victory in their last four matches across all competitions.

Fulham, meanwhile, have been performing well and have realistic aspirations of competing in European football next season. The Cottagers, having triumphed over Manchester United last weekend, will be eager to take on their visitors again, as they look to build on their recent successes. Last weekend, they dispatched Leicester City with relative ease, securing a 2-0 victory. Emile Smith Rowe's brave diving header and Adama Traore’s strike were the standout moments of the match, as Fulham claimed their first Premier League win of 2025 after two prior attempts. While they had suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to West Ham United in an earlier encounter and played to a 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town, their recent form has been solid. The loss to West Ham remains their only defeat in their last 11 matches across all competitions, which is an impressive run for a team with relatively modest expectations. This consistent form has allowed Fulham to remain in the top half of the Premier League standings and only four points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth as they approach this weekend's game.

Fulham's attack has been a key source of their success, with Smith Rowe and Traore’s contributions against Leicester taking their tally to two goals per match in each of their last five Premier League games. However, despite their attacking prowess, Fulham has struggled to turn draws into wins on home soil. They have been involved in four consecutive home draws in the Premier League, which highlights their difficulty in finishing off matches at Craven Cottage. Nevertheless, a draw in this upcoming match would still be considered a positive result for Fulham, given their history against Manchester United at home.

Historically, Manchester United has been dominant when visiting Fulham, winning each of their last seven Premier League trips to Craven Cottage. The Cottagers' most recent victory over the Red Devils came back in 2009 when goals from Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora, and Danny Murphy saw them claim a 3-0 triumph. Since then, United has been largely unchallenged during their visits, consistently securing victories on Fulham’s turf. This dominance has created a daunting record for Fulham to overcome, but with their recent form and ambitions of European football, they will be eager to change their fortunes and continue building momentum.

As the two teams prepare for this weekend’s clash, much is at stake for both clubs. Manchester United are desperate to bounce back from a season of frustration and prove that their managerial change can lead to a turning point. Fulham, on the other hand, are looking to assert themselves as a credible force in the Premier League and continue their push for European football. It promises to be a captivating encounter at Craven Cottage, with both sides knowing the importance of the result in shaping their respective seasons.