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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 38
Manchester United v Fulham
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Sunday, 28 May 2023
Kick-off is at 17h30
Manchester United will be looking to continue their dominance of Fulham when they meet at Old Trafford on the final day of the
Premier League season on Sunday, May 28.
The Red Devils have only ever lost three times against the Cottagers in the Premier League era and are unbeaten in their last 14 head-to-head encounters, winning 11 of those.
Erik ten Hag's side ran out 2-1 victors in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage on November 13 and were facing elimination in the FA Cup quarter-finals after the West Londoners bossed proceedings in the opening 70-odd minutes at the Theatre of Dreams, having taken the lead through Aleksandar Mitrovic five minutes into the second half.
However, the cup-tie was turned on its head when Willian was sent off for deliberate handball on the line to deny Jadon Sancho an equaliser, with Marco Silva and Mitrovic quickly following suite after vociferously protesting the decision. Bruno Fernandes restored parity from the spot on 75 minutes and Marcel Sabitzer added a second two minutes later before the United skipper sealed the comeback win at the death.
United (4th) are still in the hunt for UEFA Champions League football and a 1-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last Saturday took them level with Newcastle (3rd) on 69 points with two matches left to play. Both teams are in action in midweek and could seal their places in the top-four going into the final day as they are three points clear of Liverpool.
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Fulham guaranteed themselves a top-10 finish following back-to-back wins against Leicester City and Southampton before being held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace in West London last Saturday.
However, Brentford's 3-1 victory at Tottenham ensured they could not be caught in ninth place and Silva's men will be determined to make up for their FA Cup capitulation by claiming a rare triumph over the Red Devils.
Casemiro has been the glue that held United together this season, such is the impact he's made at Old Trafford following his switch from Real Madrid in August. The Brazilian midfielder scored a superb winner against the Cherries to register his third goal of the season along with three assists in 26 appearances.
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Mitrovic was handed an eight-game ban for misconduct as a result of his actions in the FA Cup clash but hit the ground running on his return to action earlier the month. The Serbian striker scored against Southampton and followed it up with a brace to earn a draw with Palace, taking his tally for the season to 14 goals in 23 outings.
In team news, Lisandro Martinez, Tom Heaton (both ankle), Donny van de Beek and Marcel Sabitzer (both knee) miss out once more for the hosts, although Marcus Rashford (illness) could be available for selection. The visitors must do without Andreas Pereira (ankle), Tim Ream (fractured arm), Dan James (thigh) and Layvin Kurzawa (knee).
Ten Hag praised another outstanding contribution from Casemiro at Bournemouth, admitting he has exceeded expectations since arriving at the club.
"He keeps surprising us," the Dutchman said. "He's such a brilliant football player, we know him as very good organisation, positioning, anticipating, intercepting a lot of balls, winning duels, a fighter, keeping the team together, but also in possession his passing, his distribution, but also finishing. Just a great football player.
"Absolutely, by far [he has exceeded expectations]. One of the things that came out of our analysis, we missed a player in the midfield. A strategist and we searched for the strategist - it was not easy because they are not many in that profile who fits to the standard of Manchester United and so we are happy we found him.
"His contribution is massive and I think even we miss him over eight or nine games by suspension. He was in the start of the season, he was not even there, so many games he was not even there, but I think when we played him in midfield it's good in balance. We had a lot of wins with this midfield."
Silva paid tribute to his squad for an "unbelievable" effort this term as they defied the critics to challenge for Europe at one point.
"No-one expected for us to be where we are right now," the Portuguese said. "Everyone predicted for us to be the first ones to go down all the things I don't want to repeat again.
"The season has been brilliant. This group of players they have been unbelievable. Their work rate, everything, what they try they do every single day. They come with the right mindset to learn and to improve and this is the main thing. I have to congratulate them again.
"Of course, we haven't finished yet but next week we can talk a little bit more but clear to congratulate them for everything they have been doing this season so far."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United - 4
Fulham - 0
Draws - 1
Matchday 38 fixtures:
Sunday, May 28
18h30: Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers
18h30: Aston Villa v Brighton & Hove Albion
18h30: Brentford v Manchester City
18h30: Chelsea v Newcastle United
18h30: Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
18h30: Everton v Bournemouth
18h30: Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur
18h30: Leicester City v West Ham United
18h30: Manchester United v Fulham
18h30: Southampton v Liverpool
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