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Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon for a Premier League meeting with Fulham, with Michael Carrick looking to make it three wins in a row.
Even at home, this is the kind of fixture that poses a difficult challenge and can easily turn into an awkward affair. The Red Devils simply cannot afford to play too long early in the match, rush the ball or lose patience.
Marco Silva’s side are well drilled, courageous in possession and ensure that the teams they face defend large areas for long periods before attacking the half-spaces.
Carrick’s job is therefore to instruct United to remain in a compact central block in order to limit Fulham’s playing patterns. The team must also be aggressive in forcing turnovers in dangerous areas of the field.
Silva’s approach
Fulham will test United’s mettle by recycling possession through Joachim Andersen in the early build-up phase, leaving the opposition midfielders out of shape.
Sander Berge will then look for moments in the second phase to play in the channels as soon as the opponent’s backline starts to shake.
Silva’s side also caused overload alongside Antonee Robinson. These quick combinations free Alex Iwobi for a cross into the corridor of uncertainty. Emile Smith Rowe then arrives late and creates a numerical advantage in the final third.
This is exactly the situation that occurred in the reverse fixture against Craven Cottage in August 2025. Smith Rowe in such circumstances grabbed Fulham a deserved point after United took the lead through a Rodrigo Muniz own goal.
If United press too high or drop too deep, Fulham will play straight through midfield. All it takes is one cutback from Harry Wilson to find Raul Jimenez free in the box.
Carrick’s tactics
United must be patient with the build-up as Fulham will look to rule out any possible lines of overtaking. Lisandro Martinez will therefore be crucial in unlocking their defense. The 28-year-old must judge when to make a routine lateral pass or a risky vertical pass.
This will depend on the shape of the opposition and how narrow or wide the differences are. It sounds simple, but the Argentina international’s penchant for making boundary-breaking passes will be crucial to any potential chance United have of triumphing.
Bruno Fernandes’ ability to receive between Martinez’s lines and connect with the likes of Amad and Bryan Mbeumo will be crucial in destabilizing Calvin Bassey and Issa Diop.
In the final stages, Luke Shaw must make underlapping runs to create a numerical superiority if his legs allow it. This allows him to combine effectively with Matheus Cunha or Mason Mount.
Conclusion – Key Points
- The biggest defensive test will be how well Harry Maguire handles cuts in the 18-yard box. In these situations, opponents often score at Old Trafford.
- From an attacking point of view, United can exploit Fulham if they break quickly in transition after regaining possession through Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo.
- Set pieces are also important. Games like this often swing on one dead ball, one flick-on or one lapse of concentration from Diogo Dalot.
- If United stay tight, choose their presses carefully and move the ball quickly once they win, Carrick’s side should comfortably beat Fulham to make it three wins in three, with a different approach in each game – something Ruben Amorim would never have tried.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
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