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Pressure Mounts at Craven Cottage as United Seek Redemption

The pressure mounts at Craven Cottage as Manchester United seek redemption against Fulham.

Date: August 24, 2025

Kickoff: 15:30 UTC | Craven Cottage

Competition: Premier League Matchweek 2

Desperate Times for United

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United travel to London reeling from a 1-0 opening-day defeat to Arsenal, a match that exposed familiar frailties. Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s timidness in set pieces allowed Riccardo Calafiori’s headed winner, while new striker Matheus Cunha squandered critical chances despite United hitting the post and forcing David Raya into seven saves. The loss extended Amorim’s unwanted Premier League record: the club’s lowest points total (45) and league finish (10th) since relegation in 1974. With no European football this season—a first in 11 years—Amorim’s £200m attacking rebuild must deliver immediately.

Fulham, meanwhile, began 2025-26 with a gritty 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford last season, a game decided by Joshua Zirkzee’s 87th-minute debut goal. Marco Silva’s side, now ranked 6th after Matchweek 1, will leverage home advantage to exploit United’s fragility.

🗣️Rio Ferdinand responding to the negative comments on social media about Viktor Gyökeres following the #Arsenal win over Manchester United: “I’ve seen some of the comments, people saying Gyökeres doesn’t look the part – early in the season, give him five or six games minimum,… pic.twitter.com/dTBvVF0l8y

— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) August 17, 2025

Tactical Flashpoints

1. United’s Set-Piece Nightmare: Arsenal’s corner routine—a rehearsed chaos generator—undid United in Week 1. Since 2021-22, Arsenal lead the league in non-penalty set-piece goals (71), and Fulham will note Bayindir’s inability to command his box. Gary Neville slammed the goalkeeper’s “timidness,” while Joe Hart criticized his technique in traffic. If André Onana (now fit) starts, his erratic positioning remains a concern.

2. Zirkzee’s Impact Role: The Dutch striker’s late winner against Fulham in 2024 marked his Premier League debut—a trend United hope continues. Four of the last five winning goals in this fixture came in the final five minutes, with Zirkzee joining Ruud van Nistelrooy as Dutch debut scorers for United. Amorim may deploy him as a super-sub behind Sesko, whose energetic cameo against Arsenal showcased blistering pace and pressing.

3. Fulham’s Midfield Battle: Silva’s team will look to exploit United’s disjointed midfield. Against Arsenal, United looked better physically, but there was still a lack of cohesion in transition. João Palhinha’s destructive streak could disrupt Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount and force United to kick crosses in with plenty of hope.

Key Players

Man Utd: Joshua Zirkzee (clutch threat), Benjamin Sesko (press disruptor), Bruno Fernandes (creative engine).

Fulham: João Palhinha (tackling machine), Andreas Pereira (set-piece delivery), Antonee Robinson (overlapping menace).

Amorim may start Zirkzee if Sesko’s pressing isn’t trusted from the outset.

Stakes Are Sky-High

For Amorim, anything less than victory intensifies scrutiny after a “disaster season”. His £200m attack—Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko—must justify their 48 combined goals from 2024-25. Fulham, although pressure mounts, are unbeaten at home to United since 1963, smell blood.

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Man Utd (Sesko opener, Zirkzee winner). United’s firepower narrowly overcomes set-piece demons.

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