Match Preview: United v Fulham

The clash with the Cottagers will be our final home match of the season and an emotional occasion. For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on supporters attending matches, fans will be allowed back inside the Theatre of Dreams for our penultimate league fixture of the campaign.

Some 10,000 Reds will be able to watch their favourite team live for the first time since our 2-0 win over Manchester City back in March 2020 and we simply cannot wait to have you back. 

Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about this special game…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE MATCH?

The encounter kicks off at 18:00 BST and will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports. Alternatively, you can follow the action via our MUTV coverage, starting at 16:55 BST with the Match Day Live programme, providing you with a preview, match commentary and post-match analysis, interviews and reaction. You can also keep on top of the action in our Official App and on ManUtd.com.

FORM GUIDE

The Reds are looking to bounce back after two straight consecutive defeats in the Premier League. The disappointing results were our first league setbacks since our loss to Sheffield United in January. A win against Fulham will cement second place in the league for United.

The Cottagers have also lost two matches on the bounce in May. First, they lost the west London derby against Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge before their relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a 2-0 loss to Sean Dyche's Burnley at Craven Cottage.

HEAD TO HEAD

This will be the 86th encounter between the clubs and United hold a strong record against the team located by the Thames. In our previous 85 matches, the Reds have won 52 of them, with 19 encounters ending all square and 14 in defeat. In the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage back in January, a poacher’s goal from Edinson Cavani and a screamer from Paul Pogba made sure we triumphed 2-1 in London. 

TEAM NEWS

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that our captain, Harry Maguire, will remain unavailable for the remainder of the Premier League campaign following the ankle-ligament injury he suffered on our trip to Aston Villa. Anthony Martial is continuing his work back to full fitness but is still doubtful to return for this fixture. Phil Jones remains unavailable.

For the visitors, captain Tom Cairney remains unavailable with a knee injury which he suffered in December. Defenders Alfie Mawson and Terence Kongolo will not feature against the Reds as they are recovering from long-term injuries. Kevin McDonald will also miss out, having suffered from kidney problems since the beginning of March.

ONES TO WATCH

Former Sunderland striker Josh Maja has scored three times in 13 Premier League appearances since he joined on loan from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in the January transfer window and is a man to look out for. At the other end of the pitch, Danish defender Joachim Andersen has been one of the Cottagers' stand-out players in a difficult campaign alongside French goalkeeper and World Cup-winner Alphonse Areola.

THE MANAGER

This is Scott Parker’s second full season as Fulham manager after he took over as interim boss in February 2019 following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. The former England International guided the Cottagers to Premier League promotion in the 2019/20 season but, this term, it’s been a different story for the capital outfit. As a player, he represented Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Fulham in the Premier League and he was also named the FWA Footballer of the Year for the 2010/11 season following a stellar campaign with the Hammers. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Lee Mason

Assistants: Simon Bennett, Adrian Holmes

Fourth official: Anthony Taylor

VAR: Simon Hooper

Assistant VAR: Matthew Wilkes

RIVALS WATCH

Here's how the rest of the penultimate matchweek of the Premier League season shapes up...

TUESDAY 18 MAY

UNITED v Fulham (18:00 BST)

Southampton v Leeds United (18:00 BST)

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City (19:00 BST)

Chelsea v Leicester City (20:15 BST)

WEDNESDAY 19 MAY

Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers (18:00 BST)

Newcastle United v Sheffield United (18:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (18:00 BST)

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (19:00 BST)

Burnley v Liverpool (20:15 BST)

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United (20:15 BST)