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United v Fulham

United get back to Premier League action by entertaining Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday 9 April (kick-off 3pm)...

Form guide
United have responded to the back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Liverpool by winning five matches in a row in all competitions. Fulham have won two of their last three fixtures and, before a defeat at Everton, showed signs of improvement on their travels with hard-earned draws at Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Ins and outs
Damien Duff is the visitors' only doubt with an Achilles problem. Aaron Hughes has been passed fit despite a blow to the head and Bobby Zamora proved he's back to full fitness with last weekend's brace against Blackpool.
Rio Ferdinand's return means Chris Smalling may miss out on a reunion with his old club while Wayne Rooney and Jonny Evans are suspended. Paul Scholes is back from his domestic ban while John O'Shea and Wes Brown are training again. Anderson is also available after his reserve-team double on Thursday but Rafael is injured.

Last meeting
United's second match of the season was a tough trip to Craven Cottage but Scholes' rocket gave the Reds an early lead. After Simon Davies' equaliser, Brede Hangeland put through his own net and an away win seemed certain when Duff handled inside the box. However, David Stockdale saved Nani's penalty and Mark Hughes' team snatched a point when Hangeland netted at the right end with only a minute left.

Top man
Defensive rock Hangeland is a born competitor who is a towering presence at the back for the Cottagers. He scored at both ends in the draw in West London and will need to remain resolute under pressure at Old Trafford, showing why he's coveted by other clubs.

Quote/unquote
"Okay, Fulham have not had a brilliant season, but every time I’ve watched them, they’ve shown they want to play football in the right way. I’m sure that comes from Mark Hughes because he was a great footballer himself. He had aggression in his game too and I’m sure he gets that across to his team as well." - United star Scholes.

Any sub-plots?
Hughes is a former United favourite but his time as manager of City means he may not get as big an ovation as he was used to. Sparky was furious on his last trip to Old Trafford when Michael Owen won the derby late on and he'll bid to make life tough for the Reds. Edwin van der Sar is, of course, an ex-Fulham player, as is Smalling.

Whistle-blower
Mike Jones takes charge of the match and he's refereed three of our home games this term - the tense 3-2 win over Wolves, 5-0 battering of Birmingham and the only Old Trafford fixture in which United have dropped Premier League points this term - the 2-2 draw with West Brom.

Did you know?
United have won our last six home league matches against Fulham, since being beaten 3-1 in 2003, scoring 18 goals in the process. The last Cottagers player to score at Old Trafford was Heidar Helguson in February, 2006.

Rivals watch
Chelsea are in action at the same time, hosting Wigan, with Arsenal at Blackburn on Sunday (13:30) and Manchester City facing Liverpool at Anfield on Monday night (20:00).


-manutd.com-