Manchester United will attempt to reinvigorate their
dwindling hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification at home to Fulham on
Sunday.
The reigning champions lost their eighth game in the
Premier League this term at Stoke City last Saturday, with Mark Hughes' side
claiming a superb 2-1 triumph.
David Moyes' men currently sit seventh in the table and
their latest setback leaves them trailing fourth-placed Liverpool by seven
points with 14 top-flight matches remaining.
In the latest development of an eventful for season at
helm for Moyes, Nemanja Vidic this week revealed he will leave the club at the
end of the season.
Vidic returns from suspension this weekend as United
strive to avoid a defeat that would equal the most games they have lost in a
single Premier League campaign, and leave their hopes of qualifying for
Europe's elite competition via league position in further doubt.
History suggests United will claim three points at Old
Trafford. They have registered nine straight league victories over the
Londoners on home soil.
Indeed, the only time Fulham have left Old Trafford with
a maximum haul in the Premier League came in a 3-1 triumph in October 2003,
with Lee Clark, Steed Malbranque and Junichi Inamoto scoring on that occasion.
United forward Wayne Rooney has enjoyed playing Fulham in
the past, with five goals in his last six games across all competitions against
the Craven Cottage outfit.
Strike partner Robin van Persie will also be confident of
scoring, the Dutchman has six goals in his last seven Premier League outings,
including two from two since his return from a month-long lay-off with a groin
injury.
United will be without Jonny Evans (calf), Marouane
Fellaini (groin) and Nani (hamstring), but Phil Jones (concussion) could
feature.
The fixture marks a return to Old Trafford for Fulham
head coach Rene Meulensteen, with the Dutchman enjoying spells as part of Alex
Ferguson's coaching staff.
But he returns to Manchester with his side in awful form
that has seen the side slip to the foot of the Premier League.
Fulham have lost four consecutive top-flight matches
including a comprehensive 3-0 setback to Southampton at Craven Cottage in their
last league outing.
Morale was further hindered following a 1-0 defeat to
Sheffield United in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Tuesday, with Shaun Miller
grabbing the winner in the last minute of extra time.
Club record signing Konstantinos Mitroglou could make his
Fulham debut at Old Trafford after being ineligible to face Southampton and
Sheffield United.
Defender John Heitinga is also in contention to make his
bow following his move from Everton.
Culled from Soccerway
