Erik ten Hag determined to improve Manchester United’s form
Manchester United have made their worst start to a season since 1962 and Fulham FC have the chance to make pile the pressure on Erik ten Hag when they host the Premier League’s early kick-off at Craven Cottage.
Fulham have not beaten Manchester United since 2009, losing 14 and drawing three of the games they have played since. But with United having made a woeful start to the season, with five defeats from their opening 10 league matches, Marco Silva’s side have a precious opportunity.
United come into the fixture having suffered two heavy defeats at Old Trafford this week, first being thrashed by Manchester City in the derby before Newcastle ended their Carabao Cup defence in an abject 3-0 loss.
Defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend left United eight points off the top four already and although Ten Hag’s position is considered to be safe for now, the pressure would only increase on the Dutchman should that gap stretch any wider.
Marcus Rashford was not included in Manchester United’s squad. The England striker was forced to apologise to Ten Hag after attending a nightclub party after last weekend’s embarrassing derby defeat to Manchester City. But Rashford was missing at Craven Cottage due to injury after taking a “heavy knock” in training.
Follow live updates from Manchester United’s trip to Fulham in today’s live blog and get the latest betting odds here
HALF TIME! Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
This can only get better, hopefully.
The big moment came when Scott McTominay’s opening goal was ruled out by referee John Brooks after consulting the pitchside monitor. In what was a subjective decision from the on-field official, Harry Maguire was ruled to have interfered with play after starting his run from an offside position, even though he did not touch the ball before Alejandro Garnacho squared to McTominay to score.
United will be upset at that – but they have offered very little since the disallowed goal in the eighth minute of the match.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:22
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
45+4 mins: The classic ‘sums it up’ moment of the first half comes as Fernandes misshits a left-footed cross out for a goalkick under no pressure.
United have been flat, slow, and have offered basically no threat from open play.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:21
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
45 mins: There will be five minutes of added time – most of that coming from the VAR review earlier in the half.
Fulham have been the better team since that McTominay opener was disallowed.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:18
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
44 mins: Fulham finish the first half on top as Pereira gets to the byline and McTominay is needed to block his cross out for a corner. Maguire defends his box well but Fulham come back forward. Willian skips past Antony with ease and bends a shot towards the far post… CLOSE! But just wide of Onana’s goal.
Jermaine Jenas calls that Antony defending “pathetic”.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:17
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
39 mins: “Attack, attack… attack, attack, attack!” cry the United fans at Craven Cottage.
They have not been impressed by their side’s display, which has featured a lot of ‘safe’ passing around the backline.
Dalot volleys a mile over the bar following a corner.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:12
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
38 mins: Chance to Fulham on the break… but it’s wasted by Iwobi! Garnacho’s pass put Eriksen into danger and Iwobi was able to pick up the loose pass before surging clear of United’s holding midfielder. But with Evans backing off, Iwobi blasted wide of Onana’s goal.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:10
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
34 mins: And that’s better from United as Garnacho carries down the left and feeds Hojlund. The striker pulls it back to Fernandes but Leno reads what the captain is looking to do and covers the far post to easily save his curling effort.
The difference between Garnacho and Antony, annonymous on the right, is astonishing.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:06
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
32 mins: Chance, kind of, for Evans after a United corner isn’t cleared by Fulham. It dropped to Evans at the front post but it required an acrobatic volley to try and hook it into the top corner, but the attempt goes wide.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:05
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
28 mins: Great defending! Superb covering from Dalot to slide in and prevent a certain goal after Willian looked to pick out Wilson with a curling ball to the far post. That was really sharp from the United full-back.
But more encouragement for Fulham – Willian and Wilson are looking dangerous and Palhinha is controlling midfield.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 13:02
Fulham 0-0 Manchester United
27 mins: That’s a bit better though: Garnacho gets to the byline and pulls it back to find McTominay – whose shot is blocked by Bassey.
But Garnacho and McTominay – they are the ones who are trying to make things happen for United.
Jamie Braidwood4 November 2023 12:59
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.