Fulham vs Manchester United

Fulham face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday 20 September 2026 at Craven Cottage in London, with both teams searching for their first league victory of the season at this ground or away from home.

Six injury concerns for Manchester United

The visiting side travel south with heavy defensive and midfield absences. A. Diallo, C. Baleba, M. Ugarte, M. de Ligt, and T. Heaton are all confirmed out through injury, while L. Shaw remains doubtful. Despite those squad gaps, Manchester United have generated superior scoring chances across recent fixtures, creating 2.23 expected goals per game while allowing 1.42. Top scorer Bruno Fernandes has four goals this season in all competitions, leading an attack that scored five against Ipswich on 30 August 2026 and four against Sabah FA on 10 September 2026. However, Manchester United arrive after consecutive home defeats, falling 0-1 to Manchester City on 13 September 2026 and 2-3 to Brighton in the League Cup on 16 September 2026.

Fulham seek first home league points

Fulham sit 19th in the Premier League table with one point from four matches, having scored four and conceded seven. In their two home league fixtures, they have zero wins and two defeats, conceding six goals across those two outings, including a 2-3 loss to Crystal Palace on 5 September 2026. The home side picked up their solitary league point on 12 September 2026 in a 0-0 draw away at Liverpool, followed by a 3-2 victory at West Ham in the League Cup on 15 September 2026. Top scorer César Palacios has two goals in all competitions, but Fulham must cope without K. Tete and T. Cairney due to injury, while R. Sessegnon is doubtful.

Our model expects a Manchester United win

Our forecasting model expects a Manchester United win. Manchester United have taken four points from the last two head-to-head meetings with Fulham, winning 3-2 on 1 February 2026 after a 1-1 draw on 24 August 2025. While Manchester United have yet to win an away league match this season, recording one draw and one loss with four goals conceded in two trips, their average of 2.23 expected goals created over their last five outings gives them the statistical edge against a Fulham defence that has conceded six times in two home league matches.