Match Preview – Manchester United v Fulham

Competition: Premier League
Kick-Off & Date: 3pm, Saturday, 9th April 2011
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home)
Live TV Coverage: None (WatchMUFC)

Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire, England)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Burt & Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Michael Oliver
 

Form: United will be looking to further their lead in the Premier League on Saturday, with second-placed Arsenal taking to the field against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. The Red Devils may rest quite a few players that played in the midweek Champions League win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. United are unbeaten at Old Trafford this season, with Fulham not winning at The Theatre Of Dreams since late 2003.

Fulham are in relatively good shape, lying 10th in the League. Mark Hughes is hoping to guide his team to a top-half finish, and The Cottagers are well on their way to doing that. They are yet to concede a penalty this season – with Luis Nani missing his chance earlier in the season (where United subsequently drew the game), and are also yet to pick-up a red card. Hughes has them in good discipline. 


The Injury Front: United fans will see Wayne Rooney as the big name omission on the teamsheet on Saturday, as the 25-year-old striker begins his 2-match domestic suspension for ‘the use of foul language’. Chants in the crowd are sure to be directed at the incompetent FA. Jonny Evans is also banned, while Paul Scholes returns. Wesley Brown and John O’Shea have recovered from their respective injuries, while Rafael is ruled-out as a precaution. 

Squad: Van Der Sar, Kuszczak, O’Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling, Fabio, Evra, Valencia, Obertan, Park, Gibson, Anderson, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen.


Fulham are expected to start with Irish winger Damien Duff, who will undergo a fitness test to see whether an Achilles problem will keep him out of the game. Striker Bobby Zamora has recovered from an illness, while Aaron Hughes is available again, after he recovered from a head injury. Meanwhile, Philippe Senderos is Fulham’s only confirmed absentee for the game at OT.
 
Squad: Schwarzer, Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Salcido, Etuhu, Duff, Davies, Murphy, Sidwell, Dempsey, Dembele, Zamora, Johnson, Stockdale, Kelly, Gudjohnsen, Kakuta.

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The Gaffer: Mark Hughes‘ reputation amongst United supporters was tainted quite a bit when he joined Manchester City as manager, but since his switch to Fulham – he has regained most of his respect. ‘Sparky’ is doing well with The Cottagers this term, but his old mentor stands in his way once again… 

Most-Feared: Damien Duff is a secret weapon for Fulham. Although old (32), and injury-prone – when he’s fit – he can tear teams apart. The 32-year-old Republic Of Ireland winger has scored 73 goals in over 500 games in the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, Newcastle United – and now Fulham. Beware !

The Ref: Mike Jones takes charge of this fixture for the second time in two seasons, and his third game at Old Trafford this campaign. The 42-year-old Cheshire official hands out over 3 bookings per game, and a red card once in every seven game – according to statistics. Let’s hope there aren’t any more controversial calls from The FA…

United Latest‘s Prediction: United 2-0 Fulham
– Luis Nani and Michael Owen ?

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