Facing the Cottagers: Manchester United and Fulham Clash in FA Cup
Manchester United will take on Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday for a spot in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. The Red Devils come into this game on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Ipswich Town in the Premier League, a victory that was particularly morale-boosting despite being reduced to 10 men early in the first half. Head coach Ruben Amorim will be hoping that his team can build on this momentum and keep their hopes alive for another domestic trophy. This win could also bolster their chances of qualifying for European football next season. The last league meeting between these two sides, played in January, saw Manchester United edge out Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory away from home.
United’s Pre-Match Challenges
Patrick Dorgu will serve the first game of his three-game ban this weekend following his red card against Ipswich. This suspension is likely to prompt a tactical reshuffle, with Diogo Dalot possibly switching to left wing-back and Noussair Mazraoui starting on the right. Several Manchester United players appeared to be nursing knocks and looking fatigued after the intense battle with Ipswich, particularly Joshua Zirkzee, who landed awkwardly and may be a doubt for the FA Cup tie. To manage the workload, Amorim might bring in experienced players like Casemiro or Christian Eriksen to bolster the midfield, pushing Bruno Fernandes further forward to replace Zirkzee. The injury list remains largely unchanged, with Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, and Mason Mount unlikely to return. Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, and Jonny Evans are definitely out, while goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could return if he recovers from an unspecified injury.
United’s Predicted Lineup
Manchester United’s predicted lineup for the match against Fulham is likely to be a 3-4-2-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Onana
- Defenders: De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro
- Wing-Backs: Mazraoui, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dalot
- Midfielders: Fernandes, Garnacho
- Striker: Hojlund
Injuries and other concerns:
- Out: Martinez (knee), Amad (ankle), Mainoo (muscle), Mount (thigh), Shaw (undisclosed), Evans (back), Bayindir (undisclosed, doubt), Zirkzee (knock, doubt)
- Suspended: Dorgu (red card)
Fulham’s Pre-Match Preparation
Fulham, currently ninth in the Premier League, are also eyeing a pathway to European qualification, and a deep run in the FA Cup could be a valuable alternative route. Manager Marco Silva will approach this game with serious intent, given the potential for a first final in 50 years. Sasa Lukic’s ban for 10 Premier League yellow cards does not apply to cup games, so he is available for selection. However, Fulham are still without Kenny Tete, Harry Wilson, and Reiss Nelson, all sidelined by long-term injuries. Emile Smith Rowe recently picked up an ankle knock, and his availability for this match remains uncertain. Silva is expected to make some changes from the team that won at Wolves, with Antonee Robinson, Raul Jimenez, and Alex Iwobi likely to return to the lineup in place of Adama Traore and Rodrigo Muniz.
Fulham’s Predicted Lineup
Fulham’s predicted lineup for the FA Cup tie against Manchester United is also likely to be a 3-4-2-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Leno
- Defenders: Diop, Andersen, Bassey
- Wing-Backs: Castagne, Lukic, Berge, Robinson
- Midfielders: Iwobi, Pereira
- Striker: Jimenez
Injuries and other concerns:
- Out: Nelson (thigh), Wilson (ankle/foot), Tete (knee)
- Doubt: Smith Rowe (ankle)
Watching the Match: Live Stream and TV Channels
Fans across different regions of the world will have various options to watch this exciting FA Cup match. Here’s how you can follow the action:
- USA: The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
- Canada: Sportsnet One will broadcast the game, and it will also be available on Sportsnet Now.
- UK: BBC One will air the match, and it can be watched online via BBC iPlayer.
- Australia: Optus Sport will provide the live stream.
- India: Unfortunately, there are no specified TV or streaming channels for this region.
The Stakes and the Story
The FA Cup has a rich history, and for both Manchester United and Fulham, this match holds significant weight. Manchester United will be eager to continue their cup run, especially after the recent boost provided by the win over Ipswich. For Fulham, a victory at Old Trafford could be a stepping stone to their first FA Cup final in half a century, adding an extra layer of motivation to their already strong campaign for European qualification. Both teams will need to be at their best to secure a place in the quarterfinals, and the battle at Old Trafford is sure to be a spectacle of footballing talent and determination.
