United v Fulham: Preview

March 12, 2010

Michael Carrick returns to the Manchester United squad for Sunday’s Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford.

Carrick missed Wednesday’s hammering of AC Milan through suspension but is set to replace Paul Scholes, who followed up his goalscoring exploits at Wolves with an outstanding contribution in midweek.

Ryan Giggs is still a week away from a return after breaking his arm last month, while Ritchie De Laet is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a leg injury in Thursday night’s reserve team encounter with Manchester City.

Ahead of the game Gary Neville has said he is focusing on United despite talk of an international return.

“I just play for United, I have always said the same. I play for United and try to play well and where that takes me then who knows?” Neville said.

“England is out of my hands. I am just playing for United. You would have to ask the people with England what they think about that.

“I have not retired. I always said I never would. I am playing for United and would play for my country. It has not happened for two to three years. I am not holding out for a call but if it happens it happens.

“But I'm not focusing on that. I'm really focusing on trying to win as many games with United, we've got a race on for the league, and we've got the Champions League.

“We have got a lot to look forward to in these next couple of months. A Champions League quarter-final, big league games, Fulham on Sunday, Liverpool the Sunday after.

“The league games are really important now and we have to focus on them.”

Fulham forward Clint Dempsey could be in line to make his first start for two months in Sunday’s match.

Dempsey came off the bench to make his comeback from a serious knee injury against Juventus last night.

Captain Danny Murphy faces a fitness test on a groin injury while Nicky Shorey, who was cup tied for the Juventus match, could replace Paul Konchesky at left-back.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Park, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Obertan, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov, Diouf.

Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Zuberbuhler, Baird, Kelly, Shorey, Stoor, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Smalling, Gera, Duff, Murphy, Greening, Davies, Etuhu, Riise, Nevland, Elm, Okaka, Zamora, Marsh-Brown.

United league form: WDLWW

Fulham league form: WDWWD

Key opponent: Brede Hangeland - towering centre back is likely to be busy

Prediction: United 2 Fulham 0 - Fuham are a decent side but United looked irresistable on Wednesday

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.

| Submit Comments | Comments (29) |

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Drago 34 (12/03/2010 at 12:03)

This is a must win game.So i am glad that Fulham were playing away to Juve on Thursday night.I think there will be 4-5 changes from the Milan game.

...........................Van Der Sar...................

Rafael..........Ferdinand..........Vidic..........Evra

Valencia.........Fletcher..........Carrick........Nani

...................Rooney..........Berbatov............

Subs: Kuszackz, Neville, Gibson, Scholes, Park, Obertan, Diouf

bobbydazzler (12/03/2010 at 12:23)

the starting X1 need to put in the hard graft that was so evident against milan. if they do in all probability we will win. if they want to play in 2nd gear aka goodison park anything can happen.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (12/03/2010 at 12:25)

With a full week inbetween games i'm hoping it's a strong side. I'm hoping Murphy doesn't play for Fulham as so often he seems to be a thorn in the side. Scholes will get a breather i'm sure. Can Park play well in two games on the bounce? Will Nani be on the left again to fumble, flounder and flourish all in one game?

Obertan seems as popular as the Glazers these days - was he rubbish for the reserves (again)?

I'll go for:

VDS

Raphael, Rio, Vidic, Evra (every week we say he needs a rest - time for Fabio? Probably not!)

Tony V, Fletch, Michelle, Nani

Mr Rooney, Berbatov

2-0. I'm hoping Rio and Vidic will be solid, solid as a rock again. Not expecting a goal until at least the 60th minute (after lambasting berba again for being too much of a genius to actually play alongside anyone, but proving me wrong by knocking in a belter??? - and Mr Rooney - another one off his balding pate?). I like the sunday lunch games, a few early drinks, a sing song then home for some charcoal beef and yorkshire puds with lashings of TBG. Lovely stuff.

Gilly, Belgium (12/03/2010 at 12:34)

UNITED to win !

I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (12/03/2010 at 12:45)

Drago 34 @ 12.03

Yup! I would be quite happy with that line-up. Roll on Sunday!

stevi, france (12/03/2010 at 12:47)

just hope we don't suffer like after the last european game.....at least we'll know whats needed as Chelsea & Arsenal play Saturday while we'e Sunday.....

Lightening never strikes twice in the same place so I think we'll get 3 points!

Scholesy passed me the ball.., LU:HG (12/03/2010 at 14:05)

Rooney to take a breather?? I wouldn't be surprised.

United^Fan, Kuwait (12/03/2010 at 14:23)

VDS.
Fabio Ferdinand Vidic Evra

Valencia Fletcher Carrick Park Nani

WAZZA

Enzie, Red Heaven (12/03/2010 at 15:00)

Am i right in saying Smalling is ineligable? It says he's in the squad here...

LEASE ON COUNCIL HOUSE IS 250 YEARS, MANCHESTER (12/03/2010 at 16:41)

3-0 TO UNITED, NO PROBLEM ON SUNDAY. NICE TO SEE US WIN AND THEN CITY TO GET BEAT !

hector grengros, luhg (12/03/2010 at 16:48)

vds,raf,rio,vidic,fabio(if fit if not evra)valencia,fletch,carrick,nani,berbatov,diouff

100% win for united and hopefully a break for rooney,evra,scholes and park,get them ready for the scousers,which i think will be the exact same team and formation as we went with against milan.vidic or rio might be rested but i think fergie will stick with them to give them more game time together in preparation for the run in.

Fulham away from home on thursday,away from home again against the champions on sunday,a day less rest plus two away trips,fulham dont have the squad for this sort of week.

4-0 to the champs.

Gerry, Glastonbury (12/03/2010 at 17:04)

Scholes will get a rest with Carrick back. As Rio & Vid are back they should be able to contain Zamora so Fergi will play 4-4-2 with Rooney & Berb up front. I expect a win by two clear goals as Fulham have several key players out.

Fergie hasn't a CLUE, Madoc Ontario Canada (12/03/2010 at 17:39)

Drago 34
12/03/2010 at 12:03

I like it. I would just keep Park in instead of Carrick. Park will have got a ton of confidence back from Wed. nights performance, so it would be ashame to drop him and lose it all again.

Alex Charles (12/03/2010 at 18:11)

Every week I say give Patrice a rest, lol. Anyone on the Fulham's right side that we should be particularly worried about? Would be nice to see the twins line up together =) Just hope we avoid another post-Euro hiccup. Can't say I'm unduly worried though. Admittedly had a few butterflies in the stomach before the Milan kick-off, but not for this game.

........................Van Der Sar......................

Rafael..........Ferdinand.........Vidic..........Fabio

Valencia........Fletcher..........Carrick.........Nani

.................Berbatov..........Rooney..............

Subs: Kuszackz, Neville, Evra, Scholes, Park, Obertan, Diouf

paul salmon (12/03/2010 at 19:33)

Drago 34,

I would go with that line up too. And I agree this is a must win game, with revenge a key part!

Now is the time for us to really start to kick for home. I truly believe that we have the most adaptable squad I have seen at OT, capable of changing our shape to suit the style of any apponent. SAF now has a choice of formations to call upon, each capable of getting a result.

Injuries will be the key, as only further bad luck with injuries can stop us winning the title again. And I would back us against anyone in the CL.

Paul, Whalley Range

Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (12/03/2010 at 21:07)

Wonder which way SaF will go. Often, in 'these' games he starts with a team as weak as my peas (was at Wembley) last week & we flounder like Mame Diouf at the back post. Somehow, we manage to crawl home, like i also did last week, in the final stages !! So...

Sunday, let's start with out strongest XI and then make changes. If the games is sewn up after 60 mins, bring off Roon (calm down sheasy!), Pat & Rio ? ....here's hoping, .....as i need to keep the contents of emergency anti gastroenterology kit for it's forthcoming euro upgrade !!

red (12/03/2010 at 21:57)

Neville's in dreamland if he thinks he should be in the England squad. However, I expect United to be five points clear of Chelsea by Sunday night, after a WH upset.

Sean , NYXMC (13/03/2010 at 00:43)

Rest Rooney? Are you insane? For one, he doesn't need it, he's 24 and is 100% energy. For another, he's chasing 42, and SAF would never hear the end of it...

Sean , NYXMC (13/03/2010 at 00:51)

Let's look at the squad - according to some on here Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Park, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Fletcher, Gibson, Obertan, Nani, Berbatov, and Diouf have all been passengers the last few seasons, or just not good enough, or past it (and even Vida and Rio, and, on occasion, Rooney, and - sacrilege - SAF). Roll on four in a row - and a huge thank you to the whole squad. To the Moanining Minnies: you won't know what you had till it's gone.

jordy, Middleton (13/03/2010 at 08:28)

I would keep the team as we started against Milan, then make changes. Start at a high tempo, get a couple of quick goals,go on from there. Another plus maybe, Fulham played in Italy on thursday night, have a small squad so they may be tired. Hence the quick pace of the game. United to win 3-0.

davmac, manchester (13/03/2010 at 10:32)

Why don't you lot who keep selecting the United team week after week leave it out and devote your posts to more pertinent points? Fergie's been doing it for almost thirty-years and invariably gets it right - as trophies atest. You lot never do. For God's sake give it a rest. You are so insipid and boring it makes me want to weep.

Gilly, Belgium (13/03/2010 at 12:42)

Maybe park should player rather than Carrick !!

Michael knightons tash, Outside manchester (13/03/2010 at 12:53)

2.1 to fulham against soccer club united of manchester(S.C.U.M)

Goals ferdinand all 3.

jordy, Middleton (13/03/2010 at 16:06)

Davmac at 10:32, I'm the same. All these formations, maybe it gives them something to do! Let's see on the day eh? I still say Fulham will be tired after playing Juventus on thursday. A fast tempo should sort that out. And come on tache at 12:53, I can see you're all bitter and magoo like as usual, but learn how to spell correctly.

Matthew Pritchard (13/03/2010 at 18:46)

Stop wishing Rooney to take a rest...I don't go to as many games as I used to, and I've got tickets for tomorrow....I want to see the best player in the world (on current form). I'll go with the formation already mentioned which floods the midfield and has Rooney up front on his own...we don't do 4-4-2 any more, so why bother posting 4-4-2 formations, guys?

I've also got free hospitality seats...champaign and 3 course meal included....coming up for the Chelsea game on 3rd of April. Just a pity I can't get anything sorted for Liverpool next week. Still, can't wait for tomorrow...especially as it's the 100 year anniversary of Old Trafford and everyone through the turnstiles gets a free replica of the first ever Old Trafford programme (UTD Vs Liverpool from 1910, in case you're interested). C'mon you reds!

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