Ruben Amorim has encouraged his players from Manchester United to keep their performance levels of their match against Arsenal for the rest of the season.
Despite losing 1-0 to the Gunners in their opening Premier League match last Sunday, the Red Devils produced 1.52 expected goals (XG) to Arsenal's 1.31 after 22 shots to the nine of their opponents.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu were the striking artists in Old Trafford, the former duo that forced brilliant rescues of David Raya while he hit the post in the first half.
The next for Amorim's side is a trip to Fulham, and the head coach does not expect a simple competition in Craven Cottage.
“It is always difficult to play against Fulham. They have a clear identity,” said Amorim.
“Marco Silva is really experienced and really smart. He can change different things, cover different spaces and you can see, game-by game, that he tries to do that.
“They are really comfortable because they have the experience, they understand that the competition is long, so they will feel confident and relaxed for the game, so it will be a heavy match.
“Every game has its history. The space and the opponent will not be the same, even the responsibility at the game can be a bit different and that has a lot of influence on the game.
“So we have to be consistent in our performance and consistency is not only playing in the same way, it maintains the level and does not fall too much, and I feel that it is in the season for the season, but even in the preseason and against Arsenal, our consistency was good.”
“He fights.”
Ruben was asked about the involvement of Kobbie for the Reds in Friday's press conference
– Manchester United (@manutd) August 22, 2025
The Fulham by Marco Silva has meanwhile saved a late point in their opener against Brighton, with Rodrigo Muniz scored a 97th minute goal to deliver the match at 1-1.
However, they have been one of the quietest clubs on the transfer market with backup goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte their only arrival so far, so that Silva remains frustrated.
“We as a club cannot be satisfied at all. The Premier League requires much more from you,” Silva told reporters on Friday.
“We had a plan and the plan was canceled.”
Asked if he was happy with the depth of Fulham's team, he added: “Of course not. We have three Wingers, one (Alex Iwobi) goes out seven to eight games (when the Africa Cup of Nations starts in December).
“It is just an example of how short we are in certain numbers. Many places, in terms of figures, we are short. Afcon will have an impact on our decisions.”
Players to watch
Fulham – Rodrigo Muniz
Muniz, who has scored 17 league goals in the last two seasons, may not start against United, but he has proven to be a threat to the bank.
None of Muniz's first nine Premier League goals for Fulham were as a replacement, but seven of his last nine came from the bank; Most player since the start of last season.
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes created five chances for Man Utd in their 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, the 33rd time he did this in a Premier League match-the most player since his debut in February 2020.
It is also the second of a United player on Record (2003-04), where Ryan Giggs does this 34 times at that time.
Match forecast – Manchester United Win
United has only won three of their last 23 Premier League matches against London parties (D5 L15), although all three of these victories have come against Fulham.
In addition, the Red Devils have won each of their last eight Premier League matches against Fulham – they have never won nine in a row against an opponent in their competition history.
United lost their opening Premier League match of the season against Arsenal-De A few seasons where they lost their first two games, are 1992-93 (finally finished first) and 2022-23 (finished third).
Meanwhile, Silva has lost seven of his 10 Premier League matches against United (two won, one pulled), and only loses more against Manchester City (12). On a home floor he lost four of the five against the Red Devils, with the other a 4-0 win as Everton Boss in April 2019.
Fulham finished 2024-25 in a series of three consecutive Home Premier League defeats, which last losing more in a row when they lost their last six home games in 2020-21, were relegated to the championship. Silva has never lost four consecutive home statues in his entire management career.
Fulham also only won one of their last 19 Premier League matches against United (D3 L15) and beat them 2-1 in Old Trafford in February 2024.
Opta wins probability
Fulham – 30.4%
Drawing – 25.5%
Manchester United – 44.1%