Prediction: Manchester United vs Fulham

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Turning their attention back to FA Cup duties on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, eventually breezing their way to the Europa League quarter-finals earlier in the week, Manchester United will now be hoping to find some recent domestic stability. Eventually claiming a 1-0 victory away at Real Betis on Thursday evening and romping their way to a 5-1 aggregate win, Erik ten Hag’s side are desperate to complete a real title sweep this season. However, coming under a huge amount of scrutiny for their infamous 7-0 drumming at the hands of historic rivals Liverpool on March 5th, the former Ajax boss has accepted that a genuine Premier League title charge is off the cards this year. Putting in a toothless display last weekend as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against relegation scrappers Southampton, ten Hag will be calling on his side to make a domestic statement here. Claiming a 2-1 win when they made the trip to Craven Cottage back in November, United are rightfully tipped as a standout pick on Sunday afternoon.

Team News

Shown his second red card of the season against Southampton last weekend, Manchester United will once again be without midfield talisman Casemiro on Sunday afternoon. Likewise, Alejandro Garnacho will not feature at Old Trafford after picking up a recent foot injury.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench out in Spain earlier in the week, the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcel Sabitzer, Scott McTominay and Diogo Dalot will be hoping for a full recall here.

Fulham

As for the visitors, while Fulham might have gained a string of plaudits since marking their Premier League return this season, Marco Silva’s side are now seeking a recent boost. Last seen putting in a downbeat display at Craven Cottage as they were hit with a routine 3-0 drumming at home against Arsenal, the former Everton boss has seen his side collect just a single point from any of their last three Premier League appearances. Opening March with an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of west London rivals Brentford, the Cottagers will be more than aware that they face another stern test at Old Trafford this weekend. Now shipping a trio of strikes in their back-to-back Premier League defeats, Silva’s side will also be concerned by their most recent meeting against Sunday’s hosts. Eventually suffering last-gasp heartbreak on home soil prior to the World Cup’s winter break as they suffered a 2-1 defeat, it should also be noted that Fulham have failed to record a single win against Manchester United since way back in 2009.

Team News

Fulham will once again be without the injured trio of Tom Cairney, Layvin Kurzawa and Neeskens Kebano when they make the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

However, both missing out in last weekend’s 3-0 drumming at home against Arsenal, both Cedric Soares and Joao Palhinha are free to make their returns here. With Silva expected to make a handful of changes, ex-Manchester United star Daniel James will be hoping for a recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on Premier League duties back on November 13th, Manchester United picked up a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.
• Likewise, Fulham have failed to pick up a single win against Sunday’s hosts since way back in 2009.
• Six of the last seven meetings between Manchester United and Fulham have finished with both teams finding the net.
• The Cottagers have shipped over 2.5 goals in their back-to-back Premier League defeats.
• Manchester United have not lost a single appearance at Old Trafford since way back on September 8th.

Conclusion

Booking their Europa League quarter-final ticket earlier in the week after eventually breezing their way to a 5-1 aggregate romp against Real Betis, Manchester United are seeking a major silverware sweep in 2023. Crowned EFL Cup champions after claiming a 2-0 victory against Newcastle at Wembley, Sunday’s hosts should see the FA Cup as another viable option. Although the Premier League giants might have shown some recent domestic issues, they are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Landing a 2-1 victory when they made the trip to Craven Cottage prior to the World Cup’s winter break, we are expecting Manchester United to extend on their FA Cup adventure here.

Verdict: Manchester United win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet