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Fulham logo
Premier League | Gameweek 18
Jan 20, 2021 at 8.15pm UK
Craven Cottage
Manchester United logo

Fulham
1 - 2
Man Utd

Lookman (5')
Zambo Anguissa (12'), Bryan (62'), Aina (69')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cavani (21'), Pogba (65')
Pogba (10')

How Manchester United could line up against Fulham

Sports Mole looks at how Manchester United could line up for Wednesday night's Premier League trip to face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Manchester United travel to Craven Cottage on Wednesday night knowing that victory over Fulham would guarantee them top spot in the Premier League table at the halfway point of their season.

A goalless draw against champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday was enough to keep them at the summit and, while results elsewhere could knock them off before they are back in action, winning in West London would see them leading the way once again.

The Red Devils have now gone more than a year without losing a Premier League away game, and will be favourites to extend that streak against a Fulham side winless in the league since November.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could line his side up for the contest.



Possible MNU XI vs. FUL

Out: Brandon Williams (knock), Facundo Pellistri (coronavirus), Marcos Rojo (calf), Phil Jones (knee)
Doubtful: None

> Click here for Manchester United's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Wednesday's match poses an interesting selection dilemma for Solskjaer, coming as it does just three days after one match against Liverpool in the league and four days before another in the cup.

The Premier League will be Man United's priority ahead of knocking their greatest rivals out of the FA Cup, but Solskjaer could still make changes nonetheless as he looks to keep his squad fresh.

While United's defence held firm an Anfield, the attack was underwhelming against a makeshift Liverpool backline and there could therefore be a minor shake-up for this game, with Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani both pushing for starts.

Marcus Rashford has scored on his last two Premier League trips to London - as many as he had on his first 19 such trips to the capital - and could become the first Man United player to score in three consecutive London games since the recently-retired Wayne Rooney in November 2014.

Anthony Martial could drop to the bench, while Paul Pogba could drop into a deeper midfield role alongside Nemanja Matic, with Fred and Scott McTominay making way.

Luke Shaw was arguably Man United's standout performer against Liverpool but may be rested for the weekend with Alex Telles providing back-up, while Eric Bailly will also be hopeful of a recall after somewhat surprisingly missing out to the fit-again Victor Lindelof on Sunday.

Solskjaer may also bear in mind potential suspensions for his players; Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Shaw are all only one booking away from a ban, but the five-card threshold increases after this match and so the trio could be in line to sit out if Solskjaer opts for caution.

The United boss rubbished the idea of protecting Maguire against a card in a recent game against Burnley, though, so is not likely to let those concerns rule any of his players out.


Video prediction

Watch the Sports Mole Football Shorts prediction for this game below:


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Liverpool's Joel Matip celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on December 6, 2020
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Combined XI: Liverpool vs. Man United
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


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