Manchester United will be desperate to hit back after being humbled by Liverpool last week, with Fulham in the firing line...Kick-off: 1500 GMT, Saturday March 21. Craven Cottage, London.
The Cost of Complacency
After humiliation at the hands of a bitter rival, Sir Alex Ferguson will be desperate for his troops to get back on the front foot this weekend against Fulham.
Manchester United were diabolical in last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool. Blunt in attack, second best in midfield and comical in defence, the Red Devils were more pub team than record breaking quintuple chasers.
The Scot’s selection will certainly make interesting reading at Craven Cottage if his threat to purge out any complacency in the ranks is to bear fruit.
It was damning that the best performer in United colours was the industrious Park Ji-Sung. The Korean’s talent may be limited in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo, Anderson and Patrice Evra, but Ferguson knows there is no use for genius without application.
Luckily for the Reds, their opponents this weekend should provide the perfect springboard for a glory filled end of season.
Fulham have acquiesced to 3-0 and 4-0 defeats at their hands already in this campaign and a similar scoreline will send a message out across Europe that the beating handed out by Rafael Benitez’s men was just an aberration.
The Right Or The Wrong Time?
As Roy Hodgson watched Manchester United’s 4-1 mauling by Liverpool, he must have been in a quandary as to whether this was a good or bad result for Fulham.
Was it a sign of terminal decline or did it re-light the fuse propelling the Red Devils to an unprecedented level of success? Either way, his side are going to be the first to find out.
This isn’t to overlook the south west Londoners achievement of collecting a valuable 3-1 win at Bolton Wanderers on the same day.
The Blunderers lived up to their nickname in this game as they handed the goals to their visitors. But victory cemented the Cottagers’ position in mid-table and moved them to within three points of securing their Premier League status for another year.
If they catch Manchester United in another hospitable mood, the scrap for mere survival could become elementary as the race for the final place in the inaugural Europa Cup hots up.
A victory over the Premier League and European champions would signal how far Fulham have travelled under Roy Hodgson’s stewardship and make the fans dream of dusting off their passports for a trip to the continent next season.
FORM GUIDE
Fulham
March 14 vs. Bolton Wanderers (A) won 3-1 (PREM)
March 11 vs. Fulham (H) lost 2-1 (PREM)
March 7 vs. Manchester United (H) lost 4-0 (FA CUP)
March 4 vs. Hull City (H) lost 1-0 (PREM)
February 28 vs. Arsenal (A) drew 0-0 (PREM)
Manchester United
March 14 vs. Liverpool (H) lost 4-1 (PREM)
March 11 vs. Inter (H) won 2-0 (CHAMP LG)
March 7 vs. Fulham (A) won 4-0 (FA CUP)
March 4 vs. Newcastle United (A) won 2-1 (PREM)
March 1 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (N) 0-0 [4-1 pens] (W) (LEAGUE CUP)
TEAM NEWS
Fulham
Clint Dempsey is still a concern because he's had a nasty case of food poisoning. Aaron Hughes is sidelined, but Hodgson's squad is otherwise in tact.
Last starting XI (vs. Bolton Wanderers): Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson (Nevland 90), Zamora (Kamara 84).
Possible starting XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Baird, Konchesky, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.
Manchester United
Nemanja Vidic is suspended after his Liverpool horror show, meaning that Jonny Evans is likely to step in. Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also recovered from injuries and are available for selection.
Last starting XI (vs. Liverpool): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick (Giggs 74), Anderson (Scholes 73), Park (Berbatov 74), Rooney, Tevez.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Park, Giggs, Fletcher, Berbatov, Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham: Andy Johnson should be raring to go against the Mancunians. The predatory striker would have watched the Liverpool game with glee as the Red Devils’ back line imploded. After bagging a goal against Bolton in fortuitous circumstances, the England international should be looking to poach another on Saturday.
Manchester United: After last weekend’s defensive disaster, Jonny Evans will need to bring a sense of normality to proceedings. Nemanja Vidic’s suspension ensures he’ll be thrust back into the first team picture for the trip to London. The Ulsterman has been a terrific understudy all season, and won’t let Sir Alex Ferguson down.
PREDICTION
The mark of real champions is the ability to get over any setbacks immediately. With Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, Manchester United should do just that on Saturday.
Roy Hodgson saw the Reds show signs of weakness last weekend, but his side will be shown the lesson that a wounded beast is at its most dangerous at that time.
Fulham 0-3 Manchester United
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