Betting: United v Fulham

Odds correct at time of writing. For the latest, see ManUtd.com/bet.

If Sir Alex Ferguson could have handpicked United’s next fixture after the opening league defeat at Everton, a home game against Fulham would surely have been near the top of his list.

Not out of any disrespect towards the Cottagers - who remain a well-established mid-table club and are making great progress under Martin Jol - but simply because history shows that Fulham have a dreadful record at Old Trafford. United have played the Londoners 36 times in all competitions on home soil down the years and have emerged victorious on an impressive 31 occasions, with three draws and just two defeats.

Since the most recent of those losses, a shock 3-1 league reverse in October 2003, United have reeled off nine successive triumphs, scoring 23 goals in the process. Little surprise, then, that we price the Reds up as 7/25 favourites for the three points on Saturday, with the draw available at 17/4 and Fulham rated as 9/1 long shots. But considering how short