Fulham host Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on Sunday, September 20, with kick-off at 4:30pm local time (15:30 GMT). Al Jazeera Sport will provide live text commentary from 12:30 GMT.
One month into the new Premier League season, excuses about bedding-in processes and newly assembled squads needing time to gel are wearing thin, and for Manchester United there is an acute sense of urgency as the international break looms. United have lost three of their six matches in all competitions and suffered a damaging League Cup exit on Wednesday, surrendering a 2-0 lead to Brighton & Hove Albion. Their only win in four league games came at home to promoted Ipswich Town. In the VAR-dominated Manchester derby last Sunday, United started the better but played second fiddle after City were reduced to ten men.
Fulham have made a slow start under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa and are yet to win in the league. A draw at Liverpool last week and a League Cup win at West Ham United in midweek offered glimpses of better things to come.
United manager Michael Carrick accepted responsibility for the poor start but stressed the focus must remain on solutions. "It's my responsibility and I'm fine with that. It's not a blame game. Blame me, no problem, but it's not about blaming people," said the 45-year-old. "It's about finding solutions. It's a whole collective thing. It's about what you focus on. I know where we want to get to and we want to get there fast."
History favours United: they have won nine of the last 10 meetings, scoring 21 and conceding six. Fulham have not recorded a home win against United since December 2009. Opta's supercomputer gives Manchester United a 47.4 percent chance of winning, while offering Fulham only a 28.3 percent chance of victory.
Fulham's Kenny Tete misses out due to concussion suffered at Anfield last week. Tom Cairney is also absent with a knee injury, but Ryan Sessegnon will have a late fitness test as he returns from a groin problem. United will make a late decision on whether to include Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba, both of whom have had ankle problems. Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo all remain sidelined with injuries.
Source: www.aljazeera.com