Fulham travel to Old Trafford for a, Monday night, fixture against Manchester United after having to sit out the weekend`s action. Having not won away from home for over a year, not many pundits will be giving us much of a chance, especially considering how difficult it is for anyone to get a result at Old Trafford. However, whilst there is hope there is a chance.
Vital Quotes:
Ahead of the clash Lawie Sanchez has spoken out about his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo remarking,
“His arrogance is fantastic. I never thought he would survive here after the World Cup but he has shown great character and maturity. He is the type of foreign player we want to see in the Premier League.”
“When you are not playing against him, you want to watch him. When you are playing against him, it is a big task to stop him. Hopefully, we will be up for it.”
Manchester United Team News:
Manchester United are likely to welcome back to first team action Wayne Rooney after the talisman of a striker recovered ahead of schedule from injury (just our luck). However, Gary Neville is still likely to be absent although with the squad Sir Alex Ferguson has at his disposal we`re sure they`ll cope fine. As with any trip to Old Trafford it`s difficult to predict the United starting line-up but we`re sure the likes of Ferdinand, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Carrick et al are intent on making our journey home as miserable as possible. Such is life!
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, Pique, Simpson, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Tevez, Rooney, Saha.
Player to watch: Ronaldo
You either love him or you hate him but deep down you`ve just got to admire his exquisite talent.
Fulham Team News:
Sanchez may be about to switch around his defence for the trip to Old Trafford with Moritz Volz probably coming in to replace the unfortunate Chris Baird.
However, we`ll still be without the injured Jimmy Bullard, Ian Pearce, Brian McBride and Kasey Keller.
Fulham (from): Niemi, Warner, Baird, Omozusi, Hughes, Stefanovic, Bocanegra, Konchesky, Davies, Davis, Murphy, Dempsey, Kamara, Kuqi, Healy, Bouazza, Smertin, Leijer, Seol, Volz.
Player to watch: Anti Niemi
Why do I get the feeling this could be a busy night for the Finnish international keeper?
Match Facts & Stats
Let`s just accept it; we`re creating history with our dreadful away form in the Premier League. The last time we won away from home I hadn`t even started, or even thought about my Xmas shopping for Xmas 2006!
As for the official stats, do they make any better reading?
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man Utd 31 wins, Fulham 10, Draws 13
Prem: Man Utd 8 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 3
at Man Utd only
League (inc PL): Man Utd 22 wins, Fulham 2, Draws 3
Prem: Man Utd 5 wins, Fulham 1, Draws 0
I thought not!
Ref Watch:
The official chosen to abide by the unwritten rule that you must play enough stoppage time for Manchester United to snatch a vital winner is none other than Rob Styles!
Match Prediction:
Would they take me away and lock me up if I said Fulham were going to win? I thought so! Therefore, I`ll take the sensible option and suggest the best we could possibly get would be a draw. My heart says 1-1 but my head says it will be a loss!
Next Fixtures:
Fulham face another difficult away trip with a visit to Goodison Park next weekend. It never rains it just pours!
