Source: SKY_Sports
Man Utd v Fulham preview
Manchester United will hope to open a five-point lead at the top of the table when they continue the defence of their Premier League crown against Fulham at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's side, as is often the case, have hit form when it matters and have the critics purring with their speed, creativity, strength in depth and ruthless nature.Following their successful exploits in the Fifa Club World Cup, United have been playing catch up in matches and they host Fulham in their final game in hand over second-placed Liverpool and the rest of the top nine.The bookmakers have United as strong favourites and, while Fulham - who avoided relegation on the final day last season - have surpassed many expectations in 2008/09, Roy Hodgson's men travel to Manchester facing an unenviable task.United have not conceded a goal in the league since leaking two at Arsenal on 8th November, securing a British record of 13 games in the process, while Fulham - rock solid at Craven Cottage - have yet to win on their league travels.Rooney returnTo add to Hodgson's problems as he prepares to venture north, Ferguson has announced that striker Wayne Rooney is likely to play some part as the England international returns to the bench after a seven-game absence due to a hamstring injury.Edwin van der Sar, who sat out the weekend's FA Cup demolition of Derby, should return in goal to face his former club and if the Dutchman can add another 10 minutes to the 1,212 he has gone without conceding in the league he will move into the top 10 of world clean-sheet records.Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic and Michael Carrick should also return after missing Sunday's outing at Pride Park as Ferguson bolsters his ranks when searching for a 10th successive victory in all competitions.Fulham are sweating on the fitness of striker Andy Johnson and Paul Konchesky as the pair both have muscle strains following the FA Cup draw at Swansea but Hodgson will be keen to name the key duo.Meanwhile, on-loan midfielder Olivier Dacourt - who started at The Liberty Stadium - looks set to continue in the absence of Dickson Etuhu (knee).Possible starting XIsMan Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Tevez. Fulham: Schwarzer, Stoor, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Dacourt, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora.