Man United vs Fulham Prediction and Tips: Back Fernandes to find the net on Friday.
The Premier League season kicks off at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Fulham in their Premier League opener on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports Main Event. Dean Woodward is on hand with his best bets.
Man United vs Fulham Predictions
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Manchester United, aiming to rebound from a turbulent year, start their season at home for the 10th time in 11 seasons. Erik ten Hag remains at the helm despite last season's struggles, with the team bolstered by new signings like Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui. After a mixed pre-season and a narrow defeat on penalties to Manchester City in the Community Shield where they impressed, United will look to improve on last year with a push to return back to the Champions League.
Manchester United face a familiar defensive crisis as they prepare for their Premier League return, despite the arrivals of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich. With Leny Yoro sidelined, and Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, and Victor Lindelof all absent, Harry Maguire may start despite lacking full fitness. Up front, Rasmus Hojlund is unavailable, leaving Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, or Bruno Fernandes to potentially lead the attack.
Fulham, coming off a 13th-place finish, are rebuilding after key departures, with the likes of Palhinha moving to Bayern Munich. Marco Silva, who turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to stay with the Cottagers, will look to build on last season's strong finish. Fulham won two of their last three away games and have a recent history of success at Old Trafford, aiming for back-to-back victories against United for the first time.
Fulham, adjusting to life without Aleksandar Mitrovic, will rely on Rodrigo Muniz, who netted nine league goals last season. He'll be supported by former United player Andreas Pereira and new signing Emile Smith Rowe, who has a good record at Old Trafford. With Jorge Cuenca still settling in, Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey are likely to form the defensive partnership for Marco Silva's side.
The Portuguese magnifico put pen to paper this week, keeping him at Old Trafford until summer 2027, a huge bonus to this United side. United's most consistent performer who plays week in week out will look to push this side back to fighting for Champions League places with his world class performances.
Another class showing in the Community Shield against Man City where he registered yet another assist in back-to-back games against the sky blues.
Seven goals and five assists across his last ten games is ridiculous, putting up these kind of numbers on a regular basis really does not get talked about enough. He looks a lovely price to either score or assist yet again, with a United win on home soil looks a good way to get United on side. They impressed against Man City last weekend, with them preventing a single shot on target until Bernardo's equaliser in the 89th minute. Another performance close to that should be enough to start their campaign with three points.
Seven goals across his last ten games is an incredible feat for a midfielder, United's season would have been even worse without his contributions last season.
Five of his goals came from open play, with two of them coming from outside the box, including that worldie from just inside Liverpool's half in the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
At the weekend, he also scored a goal from outside the box which was disallowed for his run being just offside. He took the ball, cut back inside and put it top bins from 25 yards. Taking the goal outside the box looks a nice way into a longshot for a small stake. He will also be on all free kicks.
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