Bruno Fernandes never wants Manchester United supporters to get used to losing as the Red Devils prepare to take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim described his side as possibly the worst in United's illustrious history after a demoralizing 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford last weekend.
It took a late intervention from captain Fernandes to take the lead again in the Europa League on Thursday, with the Portuguese playmaker putting in a fine effort to secure a 2-1 win over Rangers after Cyriel Dessers' comical own goal Jack Butland had been nullified. .
Speaking to TNT Sports after that match, Fernandes said he felt United had started 2025 on a positive note before the Brighton setback and wants United supporters – who have seen their team lose 10 Premier League games this season – not also experiencing the losing feeling. much longer.
“Obviously we know how much it means to the fans to win these games, and it means the same to us: you really want to win games,” he said.
“We started well this year with two great games against Liverpool and Arsenal, then we had good resilience against Southampton but we didn't play brilliant football.
“Then we had the match with Brighton when everything went wrong for us. It's not about proving character, we have to prove that we can't show that in the 90 minutes just by conceding a goal.”
“We have to find a way to win the game. Unfortunately for us, we conceded a late goal and had to score a late winner. At this club you have to win every game, if you don't there will be difficult moments. I hope our fans never get used to losing games, even in this difficult experience.”
Some group. pic.twitter.com/TKT8RIaeTg
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 23, 2025
Fulham were beaten 1-0 by United in the reverse fixture of the season, but are in tenth place and still harbor European ambitions.
However, midfielder Sander Berge says the Cottagers will fully respect their opponents despite their domestic struggles.
Speaking to Fulham's official website, he said: “They have world-class players, there's no doubt about that.
“They beat Manchester City away, they beat Arsenal in the FA Cup, they drew with Liverpool, so that just shows the potential of that team.
“It's always a very tough task. We have to respect them for what they are and what they can do that day. No matter what, they will always have a little extra confidence. They are so good that they know they can run.” a game can be played at any time.
“So we have to be at our best. We are excited, it's a game under the lights, at home, those are the games you want to play.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fulham vs Harry Wilson
Wilson has created 14 Premier League chances for Fulham since the turn of the year – the most of any player.
He created at least three chances in all three of his Premier League matches in 2025, having achieved the feat just three times in his first 110 appearances between 2019 and 2014.
Manchester United – André Onana
Many United players will need to step up on Sunday, and Onana is certainly one of them after his mistake in Brighton's third goal last weekend.
Onana has already made three mistakes this season that have led to an opponent's goal, the most by a United player in a single season since David de Gea made three in the 2019/20 season.
His save percentage of 63.6% in the Premier League this season is the lowest ever recorded by a United goalkeeper since Anders Lindegaard in 2012/13 (55.3%).
He kept a clean sheet in his th Fulham match. pic.twitter.com/K52MVtxIBU
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 21, 2025
MATCH PREDICTION – FULHAM WIN
Fulham have won just one of their last eighteen Premier League games against Man Utd (three draws, fourteen defeats) and recorded a 2-1 win at Old Trafford last season.
United also enjoy visiting Craven Cottage. Since losing twice to Fulham in 2009 (0-2 in March, 0-3 in December), the Red Devils are unbeaten in eight Premier League visits to the pitch, winning their last seven games in a row (one draw) .
However, United have lost six of their last nine Premier League matches, winning two and drawing one.
Should they suffer another defeat here, it will be the first time they have suffered a run of seven defeats in a period of ten league games in the same season since 1988-89.
Since losing the reverse fixture to United 1-0 on the opening day of the season, Fulham have only managed to score in one of their 21 Premier League games, a goalless draw against bottom side Southampton in December.
The Cottagers averaged 1.6 goals per game in 2024/25, their best ratio in a Premier League season, while their 14.1 shots per game is the highest since 2011/12 (14.2).
OPTA CHANCE OF WINNING
Fulham – 47.3%
Manchester United – 26.4%
Draw – 26.3%
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