Fulham Football Club

• Nickname:Cottagers
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

• Ground:Craven Cottage
• Capacity:26,600

Preview: Fulham v Man Utd

19 Aug 2010 - 13:33:38

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Manchester United will be looking to put an end to a recent poor recent record at Craven Cottage when they face Mark Hughes' team on Sunday.

The former Old Trafford legend guided the Cottagers to a goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers on the opening weekend of the campaign but will be aware that his new side beat United 3-0 at home last term and 2-0 during the 2008-09 campaign.

Fulham have enjoyed excellent home form in the last few seasons, but have been let down by their points haul on their travels.

In the last two seasons the Cottagers, managed by Roy Hodgson, secured 11 home wins and finished in the top half of the table on both occasions as well as managing the amazing feat of reaching last term's Europa League final.

United, despite another relatively quiet summer of transfer activity, have started the campaign impressively, following their 3-1 Community Shield success against Chelsea with a straightforward 3-0 victory over Newcastle United at Old Trafford on Monday.

Paul Scholes has been winning all the plaudits after an excellent display against Chris Hughton's team although it was Dimitar Berbatov, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs who actually got on the scoresheet.

Sir Alex Ferguson will once again be without long-term injury victim Owen Hargreaves while Rio Ferdinand (knee) and Anderson (cruciate knee ligaments) are unlikely to return to action until September at the earliest.

Hughes may opt to start with David Stockdale in goal again as Mark Schwarzer continues to push for a move to Arsenal while forgotten striker Andy Johnson remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Bobby Zamora is likely to lead the attack again as Diomansy Kamara continues to be troubled by an ankle problem and recent signing Philippe Senderos is expected to miss the majority of the campaign with a serious Achilles problem.

At Craven Cottage last term an experimental United defence came to grief as Danny Murphy, Zamora and Damien Duff all netted in Fulham's 3-0 win a week before Christmas.

It was an entirely different game at Old Trafford though where Wayne Rooney scored twice and Berbatov also netted in a 3-0 victory for United.