Fulham stands before Manchester United’s way in the FA Cup quarterfinals as the Red Devils look to add more silverware this season.
MUN vs FUL Match Details
Date: Sunday, 19 March 2023
Time: 17:30 (BST) / 22:00 (IST)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
MUN vs FUL Match Preview
MUN
Erik ten Hag men’s glory and joy of winning the Carabao Cup last month was not translated into confident-boosting results in the following games, at least in the Premier League. Manchester United suffered a historic 7-0 loss to arch-rivals Liverpool and could only draw 0-0 against Southampton down to 10. However, wins against Real Betis over two legs with a 5-1 score-line on aggregate in the Europa League Round of 16 should reflect the emphatic performances shown by the side this season. With the tie settled in the first leg itself with a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford, it was only a mere formality that the Red Devils will progress to the semi-final and the 56th-minute strike from the unstoppable Marcus Rashford confirmed it. The 25-year-old has now bagged 27 goals in all competitions.
United are now working to get their domestic form back as they take on Fulham in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup in their bid to win two more silverwares this season. The Red Devils had a relatively comfortable ride in this competition beating Everton, Reading and West Ham with a 3-1 score-line in each although they needed a comeback after trailing in the 54th minute against the Hammers in the last round. United have lost five of their last five quarterfinal ties with the latest being against Leicester City two years ago. Should they progress, they will reach the semifinals for a record 31 times overtaking Arsenal in the process.
FUL
Marco Silva’s Fulham suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League which knocked their momentum out in their fight for a European football spot. They lost the London derby against.
Brentford before being crushed 3-0 by Arsenal at Craven Cottage last weekend to leave them eight points adrift of the top five. In both games, Joao Palhinha was not there due to suspension and his absence was felt massively. Especially in the second match where the Gunners completed the scoring inside the first half to leave the home side dejected. Although Fulham improved in the second half a comeback was not forthcoming. Silva will be wishing his side put up a real challenge in the next game but it will be a big challenge facing a trophy-hungry Manchester United side in the FA Cup quarter final.
Fulham could also enter Europe by winning this competition albeit it being a huge task for them. After all, Manchester United progressed from each of the last eight meetings in this competition against them after they dominated the early exchanges in 1905 and 1908. It has been 20 years since the London-based team even made it out to the semifinals. The winless record against the Red Devils in the past 15 matches in all competitions will also work as a disadvantage for Marco Silva’s men in this tie. Incidentally, Fulham have also lost their last three FA Cup quarter final ties with qualification to this stage the best feat they have achieved since the 2009-10 season.
Recent Form (all competitions)
MUN: WDWLW
FUL: LLWDW
MUN vs FUL Team News
MUN
Manchester United will miss Casemiro in midfield with the Brazilian sent off last weekend in the Premier League match against Southampton. This will be his first of a four-match ban. On loan from Bayern Munich, Marcel Sabitzer should take his place alongside Fred in the middle of the park. Anthony Martial will also not be available with Antony needing a late assessment after being absent from the trip to Betis due to illness. Midfielder Scott McTominay has cast himself as a doubt after feeling discomfort which will be assessed ahead of the match on Sunday. Christian Eriksen is progressing from his ankle injury but could only feature after the international break.
FUL
Fulham will be able to call their star midfielder Joao Palhinha back from his two-match suspension for accumulating too many cards with his yellow card in the fifth round of the competition itself. The Portuguese scored in that match in the 2-0 win over Leeds. Layvin Kurzawa, Shane Duffy and Neeskens Kebano are all out but Tom Cairney and Willian are both back in contention following injury. Marek Rodak has started all four FA Cup clashes so far and will retain his spot over league regular Bernd Leno as the number one.
MUN vs FUL Predicted Lineups
MUN: De Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Fred, Marcel Sabitzer; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst
FUL: Marek Rodak; Kenny Tete, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Joao Palhinha, Sasa Lukic; Willian, Andreas Pereira, Manor Solomon; Aleksandar Mitrovic
MUN vs FUL Head to head
Manchester United - 8
Draw - 4
Fulham - 2
(In FA Cup)
MUN vs FUL Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: De Gea (7.5)
DEF: Dalot (7.5), Lisandro (8.5), Shaw (8.5)
MID: B Fernandes (9), Pereira (9), Palhinha (8), Solomon (7.5)
FW: Weghorst (7.5), Mitrovic (9), Rashford (9)
Vice-captain: Bruno Fernandes
Captain: Marcus Rashford
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