Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United go into Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Fulham while their season hangs by a thread. With the Premier League campaign spiralling toward disaster as they sit 14th after a disappointing run, the FA Cup offers some hope but standing in the way is a resolute Fulham side hungry for revenge for their 2023 Quarter Final loss at Old Trafford when two reds saw United stage a comeback to win 3-1.
TEAM NEWS
United’s already thin squad with injuries took another hit when Patrick Dorgu saw red for a reckless lunge against Ipswich. The Italian wing-back’s three game ban leaves Amorim scrambling, with Noussair Mazraoui likely slotting in. Alejandro Garnacho, who stormed off after being subbed midweek, is likely to feature, although his lackluster goal drought this season is raising eyebrows.
Fulham boss Marco Silva, meanwhile, arrives with a rested squad. Antonee Robinson and Raul Jimenez were spared midweek, while Sasa Lukic will be back from his suspension in the midfield. Emile Smith Rowe may feature despite an ankle injury but Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson remain sidelined.
FORM GUIDE
United’s 3-2 win over Ipswich was a breather for Amorim where a 10-man comeback fueled by Harry Maguire’s header saw United saving some face in the League. However, Amorim’s confession that his squad “looks lost with possession” speaks volumes of his concerns, especially in the midfield. Stats back it up: With over 50% possession, United’s win rate plummets to 27%. Sit deep, though, and they’re slightly less dire (37.5% wins).
Fulham, meanwhile, are thriving on the road. Five wins in six away games, including a resolute 2-1 victory at Wolves, will be a warning to United as Silva’s men are determined to stage a revenge. Their low-block 5-3-2 stifled Wolves despite a meagre 33% possession, will be a test for Amorim amid a misfiring forward line and an inconsistent midfield.
KEY INSIGHTS
- Bruno Fernandes has 11 goal contributions in his last 11 FA Cup games. His brace sank Fulham in their 2023 quarterfinal meltdown at Old Trafford, a game where Willian, Silva, and Mitrovic all saw red in a 10-minute collapse
- Fulham’s left-back Antonee Robinson will test United’s shaky right flank while he has already 10 assists in the Premier League. His 36 successful crosses also rank third among Premier League defenders
- United haven’t lost an FA Cup fifth-round tie since 2006. Fulham, meanwhile, haven’t beaten them in 21 attempts with only one win since 2009
(Stats by OPTA)
HOW TO WATCH
• Kick-off: Sunday, 2 March, 16:30 GMT (UK) , 11:30 AM ET (US)
• TV/Stream: BBC One (UK), ESPN+ (US)
PREDICTION
With United struggling in the league and a good away form, Fulham will be hopeful, but despite a messy win against Ipswich Town, it was a great effort by Amorim’s United to get the three points. United will be hoping to salvage their season with a victory in the FA Cup and will go all in for the win.
Red Devil Dispatch predicts a 2-1 win for Manchester United.