Manchester United head to Fulham FC on the weekend for a clash that could serve as the final tune-up before a very challenging stretch ensues. Fulham head into this match seven points from safety, sitting second from bottom in the table and sporting a -30 goal differential. Claudio Ranieri is an elite manager, but his mission to save Fulham from the drop isn’t going too well right now.
For United, this is a bit of a breather, before the back end of February comes bringing matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea. Let’s take a look at the team news and fitness situation for this one, starting with the hosts.
Andre Schurrle is a doubt due to a knock, having suffered the injury in the win over Brighton as a result of a nasty challenge from the opposing Dale Stephens.
Cyrus Christie, recovering from a thigh issue, faces a last minute fitness test. Marcus Bettinelli (knee) is potentially out for the rest of the season while Alfie Mawson (knee) could possibly return for the final month of the term.
Flipping over to the visitors, striker Marcus Rashford picked up a dead leg in the win at Leicester City and could he rested here, but just as a precaution. The only real injury concern for United right now is defender Marcos Rojo, who is at least now running again, indicating that he’s well on the comeback trail.
Said manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the victory at Leicester: “Marcos is outside running now so I think he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“I think he might join in bits and bobs in training because that will help him mentally.”
Manchester United at Fulham FYIs
Kick-off: Saturday February 9, Craven Cottage, 12:30pm (BST), 7:30am (EST),
Odds via Betfair: United 13/20, Draw 16/5, Fulham 9/2
Google Result Probability: United win 59%, draw 23%, Fulham win 18%
MUFC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: United 3, Fulham 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.