United are assured of a Champions League place. Fulham’s relegation to the Championship has been confirmed. The two teams meet on the penultimate matchday of the season, albeit there won’t be any actual jeopardy involved. However, that should allow both teams to play freely, and maybe, even involve some youngsters.
Consecutive losses against Leicester City and Liverpool provided some context to Manchester United’s season. The Red Devils were able to secure qualification to the Champions League thanks to their great form of late. However, the two defeats showcased how far behind they are from competing for the title. Nevertheless, there will come a time where the club can address the improvements required ahead of the next season.
Presently, Manchester United will take on Fulham in the Premier League next. The match could provide the Red Devils with a chance to test some of their younger players. Amad Diallo and Anthony Elanga started the game against Leicester City and could return to the starting eleven.
Fulham, on the other hand, are playing for pride. The Cottagers were relegated from the Premier League in the past week. However, Scott Parker and Co will be looking to go back to the Championship with their heads held high, with preparations to return to the top division soon to follow.
Key Players
Mason Greenwood is considered one of Manchester United’s most promising academy graduates. Greenwood has the talent to go to the very top and has started to put up numbers that could take him there. The youngster is an excellent finisher, with his low, powerful, and precise shots finding their way past goalkeepers with ease. The Englishman has scored seven times in the league this season despite a slow start. Overall, he has 12 goals and six assists to his name across all competitions.
United hold Amad Diallo in high regard, which is why they paid Atalanta big bucks to sign him this summer. They then declined the Italian side to take him on loan between January till the end of the season due to plans of involving him in the first team. Diallo has already scored his first goal for the club – a wonderful backward header in a Europa League draw against AC Milan. He supplied the assist to Greenwood’s equalizer against Leicester City last week and could be handed another start against Fulham.
The Danish defender Joachim Andersen had a miserable season at Lyon, which diminished his standing among the most promising young centre-backs in Europe. However, the captain has rebuilt his reputation in 10 months on loan at Fulham. Andersen is expected to stay in the Premier League next season, despite his current club suffering from relegation.
Fulham decided to dip into the loan market in January, hoping to plug the gaps and avoid a potential relegation. That, of course, did not work as the Cottagers were knocked back down to the Championship this past week. However, they did bring Josh Maja back to England in January – albeit on loan – and the ex-Sunderland player has shown glimpses of his talent. Maja has scored three times in 15 matches for Scott Parker’s side but will be looking to add more to his tally.
Prediction
Fulham’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed last week, with the Cottagers returning to the Championship after just one season in the top division. However, Scott Parker’s side is a stronger unit currently than the one which started the season. He and his team will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note and start preparations for an instant return to the Premier League.
That will be difficult given the large number of players Fulham currently has on loan. It remains to be seen how many of those moves do the Cottagers turn into permanent deals. As such, the next two matches could be the last chance for Fulham fans to watch some of those players play for the club. Stars such as Joachin Andersen and Alphonse Areola are unlikely to follow Scott Parker and Co to the second division.
Relegation could act as the catalyst for Fulham in their final two matches. However, their fixtures are tough, especially the one coming up against Manchester United. The Red Devils did lose their last two matches in the league, but that could be blamed on the packed fixture schedule. They will be looking to make amends when they play Fulham and confirm their spot on the table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men could secure the second position if they beat the Cottagers – which they most likely will do.
