It feels almost season-defining as Manchester United prepare to face Fulham in the Premier League, with a chance to win three consecutive matches for the first time since October.
Manchester United host Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, when Michael Carrick will be aiming to continue a 100% win streak since returning to Old Trafford as head coach.
Although there is talk among punters about Carrick getting the head coach role beyond this season, that will depend on results, and he only belongs to that conversation if he can secure Champions League qualification.
There’s a lot at play in the Premier League this weekend. It’s helping that the teams surrounding United are dropping points on a regular basis, including Liverpool.
Are you confident Manchester United will beat Fulham this weekend?
Our last five games vs Fulham have been very tight…
Fulham last five
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Without further ado, United In Focus looks at five things you should be looking out for ahead of the upcoming game against Fulham.
Michael Carrick and Matheus Cunha celebrate win over Arsenal
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
How Michael Carrick approaches games against lesser teams
Carrick has had two games in charge since returning to Old Trafford, beating two teams competing for the Premier League title. This weekend will be his first challenge against a lesser side.
This shouldn’t be a problem for United, but it was throughout Ruben Amorim’s 14-month reign as manager. The Red Devils would often drop points in games they should be winning, on paper at least.
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Carrick adopted a counter-attacking approach against Man City and Arsenal, and it was successful due to the United players being clinical in the final third, but the same approach won’t work against teams happy to play for a draw at Old Trafford.
The newly appointed head coach must find a formula to break down teams like Fulham and West Ham over the coming weeks. Michael Owen has warned Carrick about the challenge that awaits.
Who Michael Carrick selects to replace Patrick Dorgu
It’s been a near-perfect two weeks for Carrick at United. The only negative is Patrick Dorgu’s injury setback after the Denmark international sustained a hamstring injury in United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal last weekend.
Dorgu had been getting into the team ahead of Matheus Cunha, but Carrick could also select Mason Mount, who was a favourite under Amorim.
The Dane has been playing on the left side of attack in recent weeks, with fewer defensive responsibilities. His pace hurt both Man City and Arsenal in recent games, but it remains to be seen who Carrick will use to replace him.
How will Patrick Dorgu’s injury impact Manchester United’s season?
Who do you want to start in his place on the left wing?
Patrick Dorgu in black Manchester United shirt
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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We could also see Amad Diallo shifted to the opposite wing to Bryan Mbeumo, but there is very little to suggest Carrick will do that against Fulham.
Man Utd look to build on impressive Premier League record against Fulham
United have lost just one of their last 20 Premier League games against Fulham (W15 D4), losing 2-1 at Old Trafford in February 2024.
Perhaps more worrying, from a United perspective, is our recent record against the Cottagers. The Red Devils are winless in their last two matches against Fulham, which both ended in draws.
Following a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage when these two sides last met in August, Fulham are looking to avoid defeat in both Premier League matches with United for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
The 1958 pre-match protest against Man Utd ownership
United fans will protest against the club’s ownership (Glazers & Sir Jim Ratcliffe) on Sunday, ahead of the game against Fulham.
The protest has been organised by fan group The 1958, who announced plans earlier this month with a vote of no confidence in United’s hierarchy.
Previous protests have been aimed mostly at the Glazers, but now it’s time for Ratcliffe to feel the heat, after The 1958 branded him ‘an incompetent clown turning the club into a circus’.
The protests against ownership at United have never been about results, which is why fans have been left bewildered by journalists claiming to be surprised at protests following back-to-back wins.
It’s much deeper than that.
What are your thoughts on the latest Man Utd fan protest?
Thousands of Manchester United fans with a banner stop
Photo by Andy Barton / SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
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Michael Carrick can match Ruben Amorim’s record
One of the many issues Amorim had at United was being unable to go on winning runs. That sort of problem is big enough to rule out a team as title contenders, but Carrick has gone back to basics with his approach early on to ensure the team get back to winning ways.
Carrick can match Amorim’s longest winning run as United head coach, should the Reds secure three points against Fulham.
It took Amorim 47 matches to win three consecutive games at United. Carrick has a chance to do it in three.
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