United started well against Newcastle last Monday but a tougher task awaits them this week at Craven Cottage. This fixture has been somewhat of a bogey one for United and the last two visits have ended in defeat. Fulham was not an easy place to go to when Roy Hodgson was at the helm and it will be no different under Mark Hughes.
One thing that interests me is the selection of the team. Will Fergie be tempted to pick the same eleven that did so well against Newcastle or tinker with the selection? He definitely won’t make wholesale changes but may make a couple. Giggs for instance could start, as could Carrick. If Carrick did play instead of Scholes, it would be interesting to see if he can control the tempo of the game as the little maestro did against Newcastle. Carrick needs to step up this season and show that he can stamp his authority on a game from the midfield and not disappear when we are on the back foot.
There is also an opportunity to start Hernandez up top with Rooney. However I would like to see Berba get a run in the side, now that he has started the season well. His confidence is up and he should now be given an opportunity to prove himself. How good would it be if Berba now prospered and went on to become a massive weapon for us? Hernandez will have plenty of chances as the season progresses.It may actually happen that Chicharito starts with Berba as Rooney is rumoured to have a stomach bug. If this is the case, it would be a blow.
So, what of Fulham? There is obviously an added edge to this one with former United favourite turned City boss Mark Hughes at the helm. No side under Sparky will be a pushover and this one will be no different. Their main threats will come from Duff, Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy (we know all about him) and Bobby Zamora. Make no mistake about it; they have some very decent players.
One of their main attributes under Hodgson was their defensive prowess and this looks to have stuck with them under Sparky. Their opening game of the season was a 0-0 draw away to a decent Bolton side – not a terrible result by any stretch of the imagination. Their home form is generally very strong. They will be tough to break down and it may take us some time to find space.
It would be great to see Rooney get the monkey off his back and grab a goal so his season can get motoring. It will come but the longer it goes on, the more pressure he will be under. He is a confidence player and needs a goal.
Ultimately this will be a tough encounter. We will have to patient and not try to play the killer ball too often early on. Chances will come but we need to make them work for the ball. Keeping them at bay in the opening stages will be key as coming from behind in Craven Cottage is not easy. This is definitely a winnable encounter but it will not be easy.
Prediction: Fulham 1 – 2 United
Check out this classic United goal at Craven Cottage to get in the mood. Cristiano Ronaldo sets us on the way to the title.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Heard Rooney has a stomach bug and hasn’t traveled to London
Well it’s not like we would expect him to score these days anyway Andy!! I think this could be a tricky enough match. I’d settle for us getting out of there with a one goal sneaky win! Fingers crossed!