Man United vs Fulham Prediction - FA Cup Fixtures
Josh Ingram is on hand to look at a tasty clash in the 5th round of the FA Cup with a Man United vs Fulham prediction betting preview at Old Trafford. Fulham have lost twice to United this season already, with this FA Cup tie coming at the perfect time to show that they are capable of beating a fragile Red Devils outfit.
The noise around both teams couldn’t be more contrasting with all the doom and gloom surrounding Man United at the minute, especially in the Premier League, whereas Fulham are in with an outside chance of clinching European football.
Man United vs Fulham Prediction: Fulham to go on a cup run
England, FA Cup, Sunday, March 2nd, 16:30 (UK)
Man United’s rotten league form, especially under Ruben Amorim, will only be slightly papered over if they win the FA Cup or UEFA Europa League. From what they have displayed in recent weeks, particularly at home, it’s a doubt, and it’s hard to envisage them turning around that form to beat Fulham on the weekend. They have lost 50% of their league games under Amorim, which is a testament to how poor they are.
Fulham have lost twice already to United in 2024/25, both 1-0. The most recent match was dismal, and Fulham should have won it, but for Lisandro Martinez’s deflected effort flying past Leno and snatching all three points. In the battle of the managers on the sidelines, Silva is the better Premier League manager at this point. That’s not up for dispute.
In Amorim’s 16 games in charge, they’ve scored 21, averaging 1.3 per 90 across this period. The three teams with worse records are the three sides in the drop zone, plus West Ham. Before the Ipswich Town fixture, Man United had only managed to hit the target with 59 of their 190 shots in the Premier League under Amorim. The Red Devils have a shot placement ratio of just 0.84, meaning Southampton is the only team with a poorer record with 0.83, a damming indignation of how poor United are in forward areas.
Individually, players-wise, Fulham possesses the better squad, especially in forward areas, which is highlighted by having three players who have over 10+ goals and assists. Raul Jimenez, Alex Iwobi and Antonee Robinson are all having an excellent season. In the most recent match away at Wolves, Muniz’s finish to win the game was sensational. He has scored in both FA Cup games thus far, with a brace to beat Wigan.
Defensively, United aren’t reliable in keeping teams out, so the blame can’t be placed at the forward’s door. In Ruben Amorim’s 23 games, they’ve conceded 1.47 goals a game, while only keeping three clean sheets in that time. They have also conceded at least two in 12 of those fixtures.
In my opinion, Fulham should be the favourites in this fixture, so acquiring them at a bigger price than United is enticing. The Cottagers are nine points and five places above them in the Premier League, heading to Old Trafford, which is not a fortress and hasn’t been for a long time, only winning six of 14 home Premier League games.
- Man United vs Fulham Prediction: Fulham to Win (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.87
- Bookmaker: bet365
- Stake: 10/10 (TRACKED BET)
Man United vs Fulham Prediction odds via bet365 as at 12:00, February 27th, 2025. Odds may now differ.
United missing a lot of key players and Silva has a lot more options at his disposal
The injury to the only real bright spark in Ruben Amorim’s team saw Amad Diallo and Amorim dealt a killer blow to any aspirations for silverware. Missing him and Lisandro Martinez for the rest of the season is significant, as the Argentine is their best defender when in possession. They have a long list of unavailable players, but only a few are big misses. One of them is Kobbie Mainoo, which means that Amoriom is forced to play Casemiro, a player he doesn’t fancy. The straight red card to Dorgu is also a headache, as he is the only wingback who suits Amorim’s system.
Fulham are without a few key players for this one. The most important of them is Emile Smith-Rowe, who has an ankle injury which will keep him out for at least another week. Kenny Tete is the only regular starter missing with a long-term knee injury and won’t be back until April or maybe even later.
Other injuries to squad players in forward areas have meant they don’t have as much depth as Silva would like. Reiss Nelson is out till next season due to having surgery, and Harry Wilson has also had surgery on his ankle, keeping him out until sometime in April. It’s unlikely Marco Silva will heavily rotate, as this is a big chance for them to go on a deep run.
Man United possible starting lineup:
Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Mazraoui; Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Andersen, Robinson; Berge, Cairney, Iwobi, Pereira, Traore; Jimenez
Match Stats: Fulham’s Rotten record at Old Trafford
- In the last 17 trips up North to Old Trafford, the Cottagers have only managed to win on one occasion, which was last February in a 2-1 win after Iwobi scored the 97th minute winner.
- Fulham have won all four of their last away games, including the FA Cup fourth round game away at Wigan.
- Manchester United’s top scorers in the Premier League are Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo, who have scored just six goals.
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