Fulham v Manchester United Match Preview: It Could Be Trouble At The Cottage

Manchester United will be looking to end 2011 on a high-note by winning their final Premier League game at Craven Cottage tonight against Martin Jol’s tricky Fulham side.

Whilst the media and virtually every football fan in the country made a big deal (and rightly so) about United crashing out of the Champions League, it’s almost been forgotten that Fulham had a European exit of their own this month.

Fulham of course had a great run in the Europa League two seasons ago when they reached the final of the competition in Hamburg falling to defeat in extra time to a Athletico Madrid side featuring David De Gea and old United star Diego Forlan.

Despite being 2-0 up at home against Odense with 36 minutes to go in their final group match which they needed to win to go through, the Danes fought back and got an equaliser in the last minute cruelly sending Jol’s side out in disappointing fashion. 

So what can we expect from the game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?

Jonny Evans v Bobby Zamora

After failing to convince up front for England against Sweden on his second appearance for his country, Bobby Zamora really does need to impress Fabio Capello against the top sides if he is to have any chance of breaking into his Euro 2012 squad.

On his day the former Spurs forward has the pace, power and strength to hurt United. It will be a big test for Jonny Evans to keep him quiet but after a good showing for the youngster against QPR he’ll go into the game in confident mood.

Michael Carrick v Danny Murphy 

It’s been some turn around for Michael Carrick who at the start of the season couldn’t get a look-in to United’s starting line-up. Due to midfield injuries he’s grabbed his chance and has put in some excellent performances as of late.

Danny Murphy may have lost what pace he had over the last 18 months, but he is still a big-game player for Fulham. The man who has hit three Premier League winners against United cannot be written off and has the vision to break open any defence.

Nani v Jon Arne Riise

Utter the name Jon Arne Riise to a United fan and they instantly recall the Norwegian’s scorching 25-yard free-kick for Liverpool that flew past Fabien Barthez at Anfield that sent United’s arch rivals on their way to a 3-1 win back in November 2001

The full-back’s looked in good form since returning to England after three years in Italy with Roma but is not as quick as he used to be and that should play into the hands of Nani who looks to be returning back to the scintillating form he was in at the start of the season.

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In terms of a prediction for the game tonight, as I stated earlier on in a predictions article, at the start of the month, I believe it will be a tough game for United and can see the game ending in a 1-1 draw which would be a tremendous point for Jol's side to see the year out on.

Fulham are a tricky side to beat at Craven Cottage and with their record of playing well against United at home, it may be a frustrating evening for United who could end the night four points behind Manchester City who it should be noted drew at Fulham earlier in the season.

Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

Thanks to We All Follow United