Manchester United vs Fulham predicted XIs: Confirmed team news and probable lineups
Manchester United will be looking to boost their hopes of a top-four finish when they welcome a struggling Fulham to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils edged past Luton 2-1 at Kenilworth Road last time out to make it four wins in a row in the league and also extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to seven matches.
Erik ten Hag’s side are five points adrift of Aston Villa, who are at home to Nottingham Forest at the same time, and the Dutch tactician will be hoping his side can make the most of any slip-ups from the Villans.
Saturday’s visitors, Fulham, have been knocked out of both the League Cup and FA Cup in recent weeks and their drop in league form has also seen them slip to 12th in the table, nine points above the relegation zone.
Ten Hag backs Hojlund to build on strong form
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It was a slow start to life at Manchester United, but Rasmus Hojlund is finally showing us all just why the club worked so hard to bring him on board from Atalanta.
Despite some impressive Champions League form, the Denmark international didn’t open his Premier League account until Boxing Day, leaving him without a goal in his first 14 appearances. However, his festive strike in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa opened the floodgates and now, Hojlund enters this weekend with seven goals in his last six Premier League outings, making him United’s joint-highest scorer in the competition. That run also includes goals against the likes of Spurs, West Ham, another against Villa and a double against Luton last time out.
And according to Erik Ten Hag, this is just the start, with the Dutchman never fearing his star striker would eventually come good.
“We recruited him on his character,” Ten Hag said of the 21-year-old. “I knew it was strong. He can really perform under stress and that is something you need as a Manchester United striker. He doesn’t get nervous or lose confidence. He has a lot of confidence and I’m sure he will score even more.
“He needed support but he kept calm. He was unlucky at the start. You see he’s a fighter, he keeps going. There are many areas where he can improve but his scoring ability is clear.”
Manchester United vs Fulham team news
United left-back Luke Shaw has picked up a thigh issue that will keep him out for a few months, with Victor Lindelof expected to come into the back four and either fill straight in for the Englishman or switch full-back positions with Diogo Dalot.
The Red Devils are still without the services of Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez, which has left the squad stretched in certain areas.
Fulham are without star midfielder Joao Palhinha, who picked up his 10th yellow of the campaign last time out, while Raul Jimenez remains sidelined with a thigh problem that is set to keep him out until late March.
Armando Broja should have recovered from the illness that kept him out of the last match and he could be brought straight back into the starting XI, replacing Rodrigo Muniz.
Kenny Tete is also pushing to be involved after missing the last two fixtures because of an injury.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Fulham (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Diop, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Cairney; Willian, Pereira, Wilson; Broja.
