Manchester United Eager to Bounce Back in Premier League Opener Against Fulham

After a disappointing start to the season with a Community Shield defeat to Manchester City on penalties, Manchester United are looking to reignite their campaign as they kick off their Premier League season at Old Trafford. Despite the early setback, there's optimism around the club, especially with the imminent arrivals of Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, adding further depth to Erik ten Hag's squad.

United will be opening their Premier League season at home for the eighth consecutive year, a streak that has seen them secure five wins and suffer two losses. Manager Erik ten Hag is keen to turn the page on a challenging 2023/24 season, where United recorded 14 league defeats—their highest since 1989/90. One of those losses came at the hands of Fulham in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford, ending an 18-match unbeaten run against the London side.

Fulham's victory at Old Trafford last season was their first since October 2003, contributing to another solid mid-table finish in the Premier League. However, Marco Silva’s squad has undergone significant changes over the summer, with the departures of key players like captain Tim Ream and midfielder João Palhinha. Yet, the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal has given Cottagers fans a reason for optimism.

While Fulham have avoided defeat on the opening day in their last two Premier League campaigns, they face a daunting challenge at Old Trafford, where their record is far from stellar. Marco Silva himself has a poor managerial record against Manchester United, with seven losses in 11 meetings.

Key players to watch include United’s Alejandro Garnacho, who scored in the Community Shield and has a knack for netting crucial early goals, and Fulham's Alex Iwobi, who stunned United with a last-minute winner in their previous encounter at Old Trafford.

Hot Stat: Both teams have found the net in four of their last five meetings since Erik ten Hag took charge at Manchester United, suggesting that another closely contested encounter could be on the cards.