Premier League preview: Manchester United v Fulham

Fulham’s opening-day hero Mladen Petric has warned they cannot win 5-0 every week as the Londoners prepare for a trip to Manchester United.

Petric scored twice and set up another goal in Saturday’s rout of Norwich, his first league match for Fulham after joining from Hamburg in June.

Despite his heroics, the Croatian striker was eager to focus on the collective effort of Martin Jol’s side after the game.

“I’m happy I was able to provide the assist but most important were the three points and that we played a good game together as a team,” Petric said.

“It wasn’t just one or two of us who played well.

“We didn’t concede a goal, we defended very well, and that was important in a big first game.

“It was a fantastic day for us with an amazing crowd but of course, it cannot be like that every week.”

Petric scored 45 goals in 89 games across four seasons with Hamburg and while the 31-year-old Croatian struggled last term, Fulham manager Jol believed he was worth a gamble.

Jol and Petric worked together when the Dutchman was head coach of Hamburg in the 2008/09 season.

“I feel, especially if you are not Barcelona or Real Madrid or Manchester United or Chelsea, you should get quality in when they are not playing well,” Jol said.

“That is what I did with Petric.”

United are Fulham’s next opponents and the Red Devils will be desperate to get on the winners’ list after they lost 1-0 away to Everton on Monday.

Everton took advantage of Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to play midfielder Michael Carrick in central defence as big Belgian attacker Marouane Fellaini dominated United and scored the winning goal.

Jonny Evans was expected to return from an ankle injury against Fulham but Ferguson believes neither he, nor fellow defenders Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling or Phil Jones will be fit in time for the clash at Old Trafford.

After a 5-0 opening day victory, Jol is expected to name the same line-up against United with Alexander Kacaniklic also having impressed against Norwich.

The 21-year-old Swedish midfielder scored from Petric’s flick-on to make if 4-0 on Saturday and was a constant menace for Norwich’s defenders.