LIVE MATCH: Bruno Fernandes score a very power goal for Manchester United that made Eric Ten Hag pull his shirt like a mad man (Watch VIDEO👇)
NEWS
IN YOUR AREA
MAN UTD
MAN CITY
WHAT’S ON
SPORT
CELEBS
TV
CORRIE
BUSINESS LIVE
PROPERTY
NOSTALGIA
PARTNER STORIES
VOUCHER CODES
SPORT
Manchester United vs Fulham live score and goal updates as Omari Forson starts
Man United play Fulham in the Premier League today and we’ll bring you live updates from the game in this blog.
SHARE
BY SAMUEL LUCKHURST, RICHARD FAY, STEVEN RAILSTON
UPDATED15:10, 24 FEB 2024
Omari Forson starts vs Fulham
Omari Forson starts vs Fulham(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford for a traditional afternoon kick-off today.
United are unbeaten in 2024 and last weekend’s 2-1 win over Luton Town extended their winning sequence to five games. Erik ten Hag’s side have gained momentum in recent weeks and fans are hoping for another three points against Fulham this weekend.
However, United will be without Luke Shaw after confirmation the defender could be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a muscle injury sustained against Luton.
Elsewhere, Rasmus Hojlund has picked up a muscle injury and is set to be out for around two to three weeks. Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount are also unavailable.
Fulham head into this game on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa and they sit 12th in the Premier League table.
Follow the blog below for live updates from Old Trafford.
KEY EVENTS
TEAM NEWS | UNITED STARTING XI
14:00
Some early United squad news
12:11
9′ – MUN 0-0 FULSAMUEL LUCKHURST
It hasn’t been a good start
Nearly 10 minutes in and United have not started well. Varane and Casemiro have made careless mistakes already. It is not particularly atmospheric, as you would expect for a game against Fulham, who have not taken up their full allocation, which has allowed United to relocate some of their more vociferous fans to the south-east corner of the ground.
6′ – MUN 0-0 FULRICHARD FAY
Scrappy game so far
It’s been a cagey opening five minutes with neither side managing to take a grip on the game so far. That will probably suit Fulham as the away side but is alarming once again that United have not got control of proceedings.
4′ – MUN 0-0 FULSTEVEN RAILSTON
Pereira tries his luck
Former United player Pereira has just tried his luck from the edge of the box but the shot was straight at Onana.
2′ – MUN 0-0 FULRICHARD FAY
Bad challenge from Forson
That is a huge let-off for Forson and he should really be booked for an awfully late challenge on an opponent. Ten Hag has just told the debutant to calm down. He needs to handle the occasion.
1′ – MUN 0-0 FULSTEVEN RAILSTON
KICK-OFF!
We’re under way at Old Trafford. United are aiming to extend their undefeated sequence into 2024 and today is another good opportunity to secure three points.
14:59SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Forson on the right
Mount, Heaton and Hojlund are all in the directors’ box. So is Sir Dave Brailsford, who greeted Hojlund with an embrace. Mount paused to speak to former Forest manager Steve Cooper.
Forson is starting on the right.
14:58STEVEN RAILSTON
The teams are out at Old Trafford
Those Stones Roses jackets will be a hit with fans.
14:56SAMUEL LUCKHURST
This Is The One
United have got their Stone Roses jackets on in the tunnel as This Is The One plays. Thousands in here would have that song play as the entrance music until their last game at Old Trafford. This correspondent preferred Iggy Pop and Lust For Life.
14:50STEVEN RAILSTON
10 minutes until kick-off
We’re almost set for kick-off at Old Trafford and the atmosphere is building.
14:45RICHARD FAY
United need another win
There’s been a good feeling at Old Trafford all week, but now it’s time for the football to take centre stage again. United are in a good position to get top-four football, though that was before Shaw and Hojlund both got injured earlier in the week. You’d still back United to finish ahead of Villa, but it will be a tough test to topple Tottenham without two of their best players.
14:42STEVEN RAILSTON
The final touches at Old Trafford
The players are finishing their warm-ups and will return to the dressing room soon.
14:31STEVEN RAILSTON
Ten Hag explains why Forson starts
Erik ten Hag has given Omari Forson his full debut because the youngster has impressed and made an impact from the bench in recent appearances.
Forson was brought to the United States for last summer’s pre-season tour and he was subsequently promoted to the first-team squad for this season.
The winger has made just a handful of appearances for the Under-21s due to his involvement with the senior side and he was handed his debut against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup last month, coming on from the bench at the DW Stadium to replace Marcus Rashford in added time.
Forson also made substitute appearances against Newport County and Wolves, but he’s been given the opportunity to make his first start for the club on Saturday afternoon.
Rasmus Hojlund was ruled out of the match due to a muscular injury on Friday and Forson has been the beneficiary of his absence.
The 19-year-old is set to feature alongside Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in attack while Victor Lindelof replaces the injured Luke Shaw in the only other change.
Ten Hag spoke to MUTV and he was asked why Forson starts. He said: “Because he deserves the position. Lately, he’s performing very well, over the last half year he’s worked very hard, showed his progression.
“And when he came on against Wolves and Newport he had some impact, for instance with the goal for Kobbie Mainoo, he had the link up and good run behind. That’s what we expect from him. He showed reliability and now he gets his chance, so he has to take his chance.
“They [the attackers] have to stay and occupy certain spaces but they can swap positions. It’s about how they’re standing in their defensive transition, so it can’t be a mess, it’s very clear who has to play where.”
(Image: MUTV)
14:28RICHARD FAY
Fulham are without their best player
Even with a makeshift squad, United will fancy their chances today against a Fulham side who are without arguably their best player. It is also worth noting that they have only taken seven points on the road all season, only Sheffield United have a worse record away from home in the Premier League.
(Image: 2023 Visionhaus)
14:16SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Forson won the FA Youth Cup
This correspondent watched Forson a handful of times for the youth team but it was always as a substitute. He was on the bench and unused in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final and, until his start against Leeds at the start of pre-season in Oslo last year, he would probably have been bracketed with the academy no-hopers.
But we have seen a United manager take a shine to an unspectacular talent before (Van Gaal with McNair, Mourinho with McTominay, Solskjaer with Williams, Rangnick with Elanga) and it works out, to an extent. Forson is a more highly-rated product than the aforementioned quartet and attracted interest from Arsenal four years ago.
14:13RICHARD FAY
McTominay on the bench again
The obvious problem with such an experimental team is that there are very few options to change the game from the bench. McTominay is the only player you’d throw on if you wanted a goal, the fact he still can’t get a game probably tells you all you need to know about his future at the club, in that he is a squad option at best. Eriksen shone in the away clash with Fulham last season and he could suit this type of match if they need something different in midfield. United would have to be pretty desperate if they looked to Antony or Amad to win them the game.
Scott McTominay in training for Manchester United(Image: Will Kambwala)
14:09SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Antony overlooked again
What a renunciation that is for Antony. He would have appeared in most predicted line-ups this morning and no matchgoer coming here today will be disappointed to see him on the bench.
Amad needs to leave in the summer if Ten Hag is still the manager. He might have gone on loan in the summer even if he had not got injured during the pre-season tour.
Quite the turnaround for Forson. Last month, he was open to leaving United permanently. Today he is starting.
14:03RICHARD FAY
Forson will lead the attack
It’s official. Omari Forson starts up front for United today and the suggestion is he could play through the middle. It looks like a fluid front three and you’d expect plenty of interchanging as the match goes on, so those positions might not be so strict as the match goes on. It is certainly a huge opportunity for him today.
14:01STEVEN RAILSTON
TEAM NEWS | FULHAM STARTING XI
14:00KEY EVENT
TEAM NEWS | UNITED STARTING XI
XI | Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Garnacho, Forson, Rashford.
Subs | Bayindir, Evans, Kambwala, McTominay, Amrabat, Collyer, Eriksen, Amad, Antony.
13:53STEVEN RAILSTON
A moment to remember for Byrne-Hughes
13:50STEVEN RAILSTON
Not long until team news
The official starting teams will be confirmed in 10 minutes.
13:46SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Could be room in the squad for Collyer
Seeming certainties for today’s squad:
Onana
Bayindir
Dalot
Varane
Maguire
Lindelof
Evans
Casemiro
Mainoo
McTominay
Amrabat
Eriksen
Fernandes
Rashford
Garnacho
Forson
Amad
Antony
That leaves room for Toby Collyer.
13:40SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Collyer could be in the squad
Given our colleague Steven put the panel out before yesterday’s Hojlund news, one is braced for another message to drop about another possible injury. It’s happened so often in this press room this season.
There are whispers Toby Collyer could be in the squad today. He has been training with the first team in preparation for today’s game.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
13:36RICHARD FAY
What will Ten Hag do in midfield?
It will be interesting to see what Ten Hag does in midfield today. Though he has settled upon a stable trio in recent weeks, they were much better in the second-half against Luton, when Casemiro had been replaced at the break. It looks like Mainoo could be the holding midfielder in the long-term though he will most likely only get chances to play there this season if Casemiro is absent. In matches when they are expected to dominate possession, there is an argument to suggest Mainoo and Fernandes should play in the deeper roles with Mount or McTominay utilised as the No.10.
13:31STEVEN RAILSTON
The arrival photos
The players arrived at Old Trafford around midday.
13:25SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Ten Hag wanted another striker
Ten Hag was good value in the embargoed section yesterday on the striker situation. He would have liked two forwards in the summer but it was obvious United only had the budget for one, unless they took the hit of not signing a midfielder. Everyone agreed they needed a dynamic creative midfielder. And in settling on Mason Mount, that undermines United’s transfer strategy.
United also couldn’t shift the unsellable Anthony Martial as he was injured. You cannot have three big-money strikers on the books when the profitability and sustainability rules are tight.
So United’s current predicament of having no striker is unfortunate and they are still haunted by Ed Woodward, who kept Martial and gave him a five-and-a-half year contract.
Erik ten Hag will need to replace Man United striker Rasmus Hojlund in attack(Image: Maja Hitij)
13:19STEVEN RAILSTON
Ten Hag on playing Fulham
Ten Hag was asked about playing bottom-half sides in the Premier League.
He said: “We have to go from game to game, every game is a final, you will see closer by the end and points will be more expensive and everyone is fighting to get their position in the league table, we are used to it, not only from January are we playing a final but we also have an experience of many players who can deal with pressure situations so we look forward to it.”
(Image: Manchester United FC via Getty Images)
13:10RICHARD FAY
Amad has not been involved
It would be amazing to see Omari Forson get a chance today, but it does raise the question of what next for Amad. His successful season at Sunderland looked like it would launch his career, but due to injury and unfortunate timing, he has returned to a United side bottom of the pecking order. If Forson plays today and then plays well, it would be further bad news for the Ivorian forward.
(Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)
12:58SAMUEL LUCKHURST
Forson could start today
Omari Forson eyed a potential transfer last month. If he starts today that is quite the about-turn. United had to fend off interest in him when he was a 15-year-old and he has quietly progressed from the junior teams to the first-team squad. There are some parallels with Anthony Elanga, who was a fairly unspectacular talent in the youth team but a first team coach took a shine to him and he got chances.
Forson, of course, went on tour with United last year and was actually substituted in the first half of the 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund after an altercation with one of their players. Ten Hag did not hide away from the fact the removal was a punishment for Forson.
12:45SAMUEL LUCKHURST
McTominay to lead the attack?
Before the Hojlund news yesterday, I had McTominay down at right-back in my panel XI. He’s now at centre forward. That’s the curious nature of a squad that was at one point bloated but is now thin, especially in attack.
Ten Hag has spoken about being “creative” with some selections and one would advise it today, if only not to select Antony. Omari Forson was namechecked in the embargoed section and so was Amad, who has not had a kick since his promising second-half performance at Forest on December 30.
(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images.)
12:37RICHARD FAY
United have an advantage in midfield
While it might feel like it is all doom and gloom on the injury front at the moment, United do at least have an advantage in the midfield department. They have settled upon a strongest three and could call upon it again today. That is particularly important against a Fulham side who will be without the suspended Joao Palhinha, who is one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League. It could well be another basketball match today, with end-to-end football.
Casemiro congratulates Kobbie Mainoo after his goal against Newport County(Image: Man Utd)
12:28STEVEN RAILSTON
The key stats for today’s game
United are unbeaten in 16 Premier League games against Fulham since a 3-0 away defeat in 2009.
Fulham’s solitary victory in their past 16 league visits to Old Trafford was by 3-1 in 2003.
United have won five consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since January last year.
Twelve of United’s 14 league wins this season have been by a single-goal margin.
Bruno Fernandes’ only goal in his past 18 league appearances was a stoppage-time winner against Fulham on 4 November.
Antony celebrates his 24th birthday today. He remains without a goal or an assist in his 19 league matches this season.
(Image: James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images.)
12:11KEY EVENT
Some early United squad news
The following players (there are no surprises) have arrived at Old Trafford for today’s game:
Onana, Evans, Maguire, Eriksen, Fernandes, Mainoo, Casemiro, Antony.
12:08STEVEN RAILSTON
Pick your starting XI to face Fulham
Use the interactive selector below to pick your starting team.
Loading
11:58STEVEN RAILSTON
How United should line up vs Fulham
Here’s how our writers think United should start.
Samuel Luckhurst
Before the Hojlind announcement, I selected McTominay at right-back. Now he’s up front. Marcus Rashford has shown time and again he is not a centre forward (that was the only misleading aspect about his first two appearances in 2016), McTominay is the second-highest scorer this season and has experience of playing up top. Playing him there would also mean not playing Antony.
As for the defence, the prospect of Victor Lindelof against Willian one week and Phil Foden the next is likely to fill United fans with dread. Ten Hag needs to be creative there and, as good as Diogo Dalot has been at right-back, it would be logical to switch him to the left and accommodate the robust Willy Kambwala, who has cameoed at full-back.
Rich Fay
There are plenty of makeshift options, but none are that convincing. At least one player must play out of position in defence and it might as well be Sofyan Amrabat, given that he has at least played there before.
The midfield is settled and shouldn’t be messed with, even if Bruno Fernandes could play in attack. It is the type of game that could also suit Christian Eriksen, but a bench role seems the most likely.
McTominay is certainly the most similar alternative to Hojlund through the middle, but Rashford will fancy his chances against a poor Fulham side and will surely be required through the middle at some point in the coming weeks.
Steven Railston
United are back to where they were in September and October when Lindelof and Amrabat were used as makeshift options at left-back following injuries to Shaw and Malacia.
Some have speculated that 16-year-old Harry Amass could be brought into the squad but he’s yet to make an appearance for the Under-21s and does not appear physically ready for senior football.
Hojlund’s injury has thrown a spanner in the works and although McTominay is a tempting option, Amad has experience in the role and gets the nod for me.
11:36STEVEN RAILSTON
Who is Forson? The youngster who could cover for Hojlund
Omari Forson could make his first United start against Fulham at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund is set to miss up to three weeks of action with a muscular injury and it’s thought 19-year-old Forson could be in line to replace him in attack.
Who is Forson?
Born on July 20, 2004, Forson is an attacking midfielder who can also play out wide or through the middle. After starting his career with Spurs, he graduated through the ranks at United and has also represented England at youth level.
Has he played in the Premier League?
Forson was handed his Premier League debut as a second-half substitute in United’s 4-3 win away to Wolves earlier this month. He has also made two appearances off the bench in the FA Cup this season.
The winger was also part of the matchday squad for United’s Champions League group stage defeats away to Bayern Munich and FC Copenhagen.
He scored twice in this season’s EFL Trophy while playing for the club’s Under-21 side.
Manchester United youngster Omari Forson (Image: (Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images))
11:06STEVEN RAILSTON
Amad and Forson set for opportunities
Erik ten Hag insists United can rely on Antony amid his probable return to the starting XI.
Antony has not started a Premier League game this calendar year but is set for a recall due to the muscular injury that is expected to sideline Rasmus Hojlund for between two to three weeks.
Ten Hag has not used the ÂŁ86.3million Antony in the last two matches and he was introduced in the 88th minute of the 3-0 win against West Ham three weeks ago. The last time Antony had meaningful minutes was when he emerged at Wolves, where his dawdling on the ball sparked the breakaway that Pedro Neto equalised from in the 95th minute.
Ten Hag also suggested it was not a foregone conclusion Marcus Rashford would move inside to occupy the centre-forward role. Rashford started the season there when Hojlund was recovering from a fracture to his back but only lasted two games.
“Ah yes, absolutely (we can rely on him),” Ten Hag said of Antony. “He has to prove a point, but he will do. And he has a big potential, he hasn’t shown it lately, but I know what his talent is. It is about proving his talent. It is about him. He will probably get his opportunities.
“But that was always the idea, you have competition. Now he has to show himself on the training pitch, but also others. We have possibilities there, with (Amad) Diallo returning from an injury, he is doing well in training. Omari Forson, he is doing well. We have options to fill in those positions. It is not set Marcus Rashford has to play as a centre forward.”
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
11:04STEVEN RAILSTON
Ten Hag gives update after Hojlund injury blow
Rasmus Hojlund will miss United’s clash with Fulham due to a muscular injury, and he is expected to be out for around two to three weeks.
It is another huge blow for Erik ten Hag in an injury-ridden season after it was revealed that Luke Shaw would face a number of months on the sidelines earlier this week.
Hojlund has been in electric form for United and scored both goals in their 2-1 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road last weekend. The 21-year-old has netted in six successive Premier League matches; the only United player to score in more consecutive games in the competition is Ruud van Nistelrooy.
A club statement released on Friday afternoon read: “Rasmus Hojlund will miss Manchester United’s Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday due to a muscle injury. It is expected to keep him out for two to three weeks.”
Ten Hag also issued another update on Hojlund when he spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of the weekend clash with Fulham at Old Trafford.
“It’s a small injury, two to three weeks, that’s what happened,” the United manager told reporters. “That is the risk playing high intensity, training; it’s not a big injury, but he has to wait now for two-three weeks.”
The recovery timeframe predicted means he will miss next week’s FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest as well as the Manchester derby clash against City. Hojlund would also be at risk of missing the Premier League home matches against both Everton and Sheffield United next month.
The Danish forward has netted 13 goals in 30 appearances for the club following his move from Atalanta last summer.
(Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)
11:02STEVEN RAILSTON
Ten Hag hints at chances for players with seven injured
Erik ten Hag is “curious” to see how certain players respond amid the club’s growing injury list.
Rasmus Hojlund has been ruled out for between two-three weeks with a muscular problem, Luke Shaw could miss the remainder of the season due to a muscular injury, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is out until next month, Mason Mount has been unavailable since November 11, Anthony Martial had groin surgery last month, Lisandro Martinez is due to come back in April and Tyrell Malacia has not played all season.
Hojlund has scored eight goals in the last eight games and his goalscoring streak has coincided with United’s longest winning run of five games yet they are without an available senior striker.
Marcus Rashford could move to the centre forward role, where he started the season, against Fulham with Antony recalled to the starting XI.
Ten Hag has promoted winger Omari Forson to the senior squad in recent weeks and several youngsters have participated in first-team training amid the injury toll.
“It’s a small injury, two to three weeks,” Ten Hag said of Hojlund. “That’s what happened, that is the risk playing high intensity, training, it’s not a big injury but he has to wait now for two-three weeks.”
Read more here.
(Image: 2024 Manchester United FC)
STEVEN RAILSTON
Welcome
Hello and welcome to today’s Manchester United live match blog. United take on Fulham today and we’ll bring you all the build-up and updates throughou
t the clash.
United have gone undefeated in 2024 and have momentum behind them, but Rasmus Hojlund has been ruled out for two to three weeks with injury and that’s a huge blow.
CONTINUE READING
Follow Manchester Evening News
Comment
MORE ON
Manchester United FCPremier LeagueErik Ten HagFootball Blog
NEWS
WHAT’S ON
SPORT
BUSINESS
FOLLOW US
© 2024 M.E.N Media
Leave a Reply