Manchester United will be desperate to get three points on the board while the season is still in its nascent stage as they lock horns with Fulham.
- Date: 24/08/2025
- Kick-off: 4:30pm
- Location: Craven Cottage, West London
The Cottagers kicked off their Premier League season with a 1-1 draw away at Brighton. In a game that the home side edged, Fulham will be pleased to have walked away with a point after Rodrigo Muniz equalised in stoppage time.
Arguably the biggest positive for the visitors was the performance of young midfielder Josh King. The 18-year-old academy graduate was handed a surprise start in the middle of the park, and he impressed immensely, showing excellent quality on the ball with plenty of intensity.
If Fulham are to kick on this season, Marco Silva will need to be backed, as the squad has not been strengthened at all over the summer. Fulham are likely too good to be seriously dragged into the relegation battle this season, but given how much other sides around them have strengthened, they're in danger of being left behind.
Manchester United began with a 0-1 loss to Arsenal at Old Trafford last weekend. Despite the defeat, most of the post-match discourse was positive towards Ruben Amorim's side, who were largely the better side. The Red Devils had Arsenal pinned back for much of the game, with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha showcasing impressive debuts.
However, Man United could not put the ball in the back of the net, and despite their dominance, they probably should have created more. There will no doubt be calls for new boy Benjamin Sesko to be immediately brought into the starting lineup for this one to try and provide an additional threat, and indeed that should have an effect, but long-term, the team needs more.
The game showed why Man United, if they want to be finishing back in the top four, likely need a new midfielder or two. Casemiro had a solid game, but Fernandes lacks the physicality needed for a deeper role, while Manuel Ugarte is very much struggling to justify the £60m fee the club paid for him. Kobbie Mainoo now seems heavily out of favour, to the annoyance of many, so new faces are essential if the team really wants to take its next steps.
Nevertheless, the Reds are coming into this game off the back of a good performance and confidence will be high, so fans should expect a good showing from their side here.
