Manchester United host Fulham in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Friday, August 16th at 8 pm local time. The Red Devils come into the game off the back of a derby defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League, as well as lofty ambitions after their worst-ever finish in the English top-flight last season.

Fulham, on the other hand, head into the new season after ranking 13th in the Premier League last season. They won their most recent friendly 2-0 against Hoffenheim and are all set to visit Old Trafford with yet another mid-table finish in mind, although given their good work in the transfer window, it would not be a surprise to see them in the top half of the league standings.

United have made four grand signings so far in the window – Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui – while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the only noteworthy departure. Yoro has already injured himself and will be ruled out for three months but it remains to be seen if the De Ligt and Mazraoui can feature having signed officially just three days before the match.

The west Londoners have done a reasonable job in the market as well. Their biggest signing was that of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal while they acquired two defenders as well, Jorge Cuenca and Ryan Sessegnon. None of Marco Silva’s crucial players barring Tosin Adarabioyo have left in the transfer window so far.

Team News

Manchester United

Manchester United’s injury issues have not gotten any better than last season. Rasmus Hojlund, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are all expected to miss out on when they host Fulham.

Zirkzee could play as the striker with Hojlund absent to make his Old Trafford debut while all eyes will be on Alejandro Garnacho to see how he does this season. The Argentine scored in United’s Community Shield fixture against City as well.

Erik ten Hag will be expected to continue with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation with Casemiro, whose future at the club still remains unclear, likely to form a double pivot with Kobbie Mainoo in midfield.

The club’s injury issues might also result in there not been too many changes as compared to their line-up against Manchester City

Predicted Manchester United XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Martinez; Mainoo, Casemiro; Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho; Zirkzee.

Fulham

Fulham have no injury absentees for the United fixture and Marco Silva will be able to count on all of his first-team players, new signings included, for the trip to Old Trafford.

Former Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe could make his official debut after finding the back of the net in Fulham’s friendly against Hoffenheim. Much like their opponents, Fulham are also likely to play a 4-2-3-1 formation which is guaranteed to provide them with defensive security on a difficult away day.

Predicted Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Diop, Sessegnon; Smith Rowe, Lukic; Wilson, Pereira, Iwobi; Rodrigo.

Key Stats

• Manchester United and Fulham have not drawn in their last five meetings.
• Fulham are unbeaten on the road for five consecutive matches.

Match Deciding Duel

Smith Rowe vs Mainoo

In a match where both teams will look to succeed at the back of a solid defensive foundation, the role of the pivots will be extremely crucial in nullifying the opposition’s offensive threat as well as transitioning the ball into the final third.

Emile Smith Rowe will be determined to prove a point at Fulham after a tumultuous last few months at Arsenal, whereas Mainoo is an incredibly good talent and is very much capable of dictating play from the engine room.

Casemiro and Lukic could largely focus on the defensive duties and as a result, what Mainoo and Smith Rowe do individually could dictate the flow of the match.

Prediction

Manchester United 1-1 Fulham

Manchester United are depleted through numerous injuries and have also failed to impress much in pre-season. Even in the FA Community Shield, they were largely the second-best side.

Erik ten Hag will also be unable to count on Mazraoui and De Ligt in all likelihood, which could see a well-organised Fulham side leave Old Trafford with a point.

They won on United’s patch last time out but this time, a draw looks like the most reasonable result.