By Karl Matchett
From midweek smiles to weekend actuality checks
In all probability it’s a bit early to be drawing such optimistic conclusions. Whereas incremental enhancements and stoppage time celebrations are all optimistic and result in an uplift in morale, the brutal reality is United head to Fulham, hardly one of many Premier League’s superpowers, three locations decrease than them within the desk and a full seven factors adrift.
Amorim could spin it as one defeat in United’s final 5, however within the high flight it’s nonetheless one win in six – and that got here in opposition to the underside membership. Add in the truth that United have managed two wins in ten on the highway this time period and this isn’t prone to be an away day they relish in West London. Amorim nonetheless hasn’t labored out his strongest workforce, and whereas that’s superb contemplating the time he’s had on the membership, an even bigger problem is how susceptible they give the impression of being on the highway. Solely Bruno Fernandes has averaged two photographs or extra in away video games this time period and the workforce as an entire solely has six open play objectives away too.
Current type
Fulham are the draw specialists not too long ago. 4 straight attracts on house soil imply they’ve solely misplaced two of 11 at Craven Cottage, however have additionally drawn 9 of twenty-two in complete – solely Brighton have drawn extra. Factoring in FA Cup in addition to league, it’s only one defeat in 11 for the Cottagers, 4 of them wins – they usually’ve performed every of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal in that interval.
Return to the opening day of the marketing campaign, thoughts, and it was Man United who emerged triumphant as these two sides met – a late Joshua Zirkzee purpose sufficient to earn Erik ten Hag three factors. He didn’t get too many extra thereafter.
Crew information
Fulham are lacking right-back Kenny Tete and squad winger Reiss Nelson, however are in any other case at full energy. Amorim is with out Luke Shaw and Mason Mount as standard, whereas centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are sidelined too. Everybody else is accessible, with some suggesting Altay Bayındır could have proven sufficient in Europe to get an opportunity in purpose domestically.
Key participant
Fulham make extra correct crosses per recreation than some other workforce within the league (6.2) and have been awarded the third-highest variety of penalties (4). Add these two attacking traits collectively and what you get is a rejuvenated Raúl Jiménez, with eight objectives this time period from an xG of 8.1. He’s averaging 3.5 photographs per 90, plus has created 5 massive probabilities and has received 40 aerial duels – greater than 85 per cent of strikers within the league. The Mexican lastly appears like he’s again to close his previous efficient self and Fulham are reaping the rewards.
Prediction
Extra away day distress for United and Amorim. Fulham 2 United 1.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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