Friends of Fulham

 
Anniversary Shirt Out Now

Formed in 1879 as a local boys' church side, Fulham St. Andrew's, Fulham Football Club is the oldest of London's first-class clubs.


With a long and colourful history, Fulham FC is rightly positioned as London's Original Football Club.

As part of our 140 Year Anniversary, the Club has launched a special edition Anniversary Shirt.

This limited edition 140 Year Anniversary Shirt pays tribute to Fulham's rich history. A twist on the design of the Club's first strip, the shirt features Fulham's famous white and black colours – which
were introduced for the first time in 1889.

The shirt which will be worn by the First Team in one of the Club's pre-season fixtures this year.

The commemorative shirt, emblazoned with a 140 Years crest, is available to purchase now both online and instore.

Priced at £65 for adults and £50 for juniors, only a limited number – 1,879 shirts – have been produced, each individually numbered and certificated to mark their exclusivity.

In addition, an exclusive 140 Years Fulham name and number personalisation is available to add to your shirt for £15, with each number featuring a 140 Years motif.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/08/anniversary-shirt-out-now

 
Before The Whistle: Fulham vs Manchester United Preview

After a momentum-sapping loss as Selhurst Park, Fulham find themselves 7 points from safety, and face a horrific run of home games against the big boys. With relegation looking more and more likely by the week, could we pull off the most 'fulhamish' of results to beat high-flying Manchester United? George Singer is here to give you the lowdown you need!

Let's face it – the last couple of years have been a really special period to follow our favourite quirky little side from West London. We've enjoyed a rollercoaster run in the Championship, 23 games playing sumptious unbeaten football, and a lovely trip to Wembley. But right now? Eugh. Just wake me up when it's over.

Whilst the Tinkerman is famous for making Champions out of relegation candidates, it would surely be the biggest miracolo of his long career if he was to stop our fall into the Championship. In reality, nothing less than a win on Saturday would be enough to give us a realistic chance of doing so. In our way are the Manchester United of the North, managed by the unbeaten Baby Faced Assassin.

Recent results
December 2018 Manchester United 4 – 1 Fulham

February 2014 Manchester United 2 – 2 Fulham

November 2013 Fulham 1- 3 Manchester United

February 2013 Fulham 0 – 1 Manchester United

January 2013 Manchester United 4 – 1 Fulham (FA Cup)

Likely lineup
Since taking over the club back in December, Ole Gunner Solksjaer has made one major change to the way Manchester United play. It's not a change in system, or personnel, that he's enforced: instead he's released the shackles on the team that his predecessor had spent so long binding. No longer are they a side that look dull, devoid of confidence and defensive – now they are a swashbuckling counter attacking side, playing fast football with a smile on their face.

If we want to hit the back of the net on Saturday, we'll need to emulate what Simon Davies did all those years ago in Hamburg – and knock the ball past David De Gea. In front of the Spaniard, Solskjaer has rotated through his defensive options to find the setup he wants, however he'll likely stick with the same back 4 that earned a clean sheet at the King Power last week.

In midfield, expect Matic to act as the holding midfielder – mopping up play in the centre of the park to providing a platform for his midfielders to build from. In Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba, they have a duo blessed with both skill and high workrate, and will no doubt be a daunting challenge for Calum Chambers to keep quiet.

In front of the midfield are the 3-man strikeforce, who OGS has helped convert from flops to firing on all cylinders. They act in a fluid system, both dropping back to add midfield support and stretching defences with their counter attacking runs. Expect Jesse Lingard to push forward into a right winger role at times, and combine with fellow forwards Sanchez and Rashford. In particular, the young English striker has been in impressive recent form, repaying his manager's faith in him by netting 6 goals in his last 8 starts.

Singer's Corner
After a magnificent second half performance against Brighton, and all the momentum it generated with it, it feels like all our hard work was undone last week. Lining up with a back 5, against a notoriously defensive Crystal Palace, put us on the back foot from minute one – and once Milivojevic put away his fortuitous penalty Roy's side never looked like they were going to let us turn the tide.

Against Brighton we took some strong strides up the mountain of survival, but at Selhurst Park we fell back down to base camp. My heart says we could still turn it around, but my head thinks in reality it's game over.

To be honest, if we concede 17 shots to a Zaha-less Crystal Palace side, who only had a third of the ball, we don't deserve to be in the Premier League. Let's look at a quote from Ranieri when he first took over:

    "As an Italian manager, the defensive way is the best method of the team. It is important to have a strong vision of how to work defensively"

So his main plan was to apply defensive structure. In practice, he's failed to do so. He's switched our system to add in an extra centre back, but has failed to supplement this with clear defensive plan for how they should work together. The below graph shows how relatively few defensive actions we make – and our equally poor success rate. Our now-light midfield gets easily overrun, and the back 5 never know whether they're coming or going.

What's the fix? Well, in the short term, I still have high hopes for Anguissa. His defensive output is huge – and when supported by an anchorman he could be a really powerful option. However, in reality, is there a way to fit him, Chambers, Seri and Cairney into the squad? Clearly not – so we'd likely need to sacrifice one of the creative options, which Ranieri is now unlikely to do.

In the long term, I don't want to be negative but at this point I can't wait to get back to the Championship. More games, cheaper tickets, and weaker opposition. However, if we want to bounce back quickly, there's two crucial additions we need to make to the club: A Sporting director who has footballing background, and a progressive young head coach who lives the director's footballing identity. It's the lack of long term football planning input into recruitment, and bringing in a manager who doesn't suit the personnel, which has been our downfall this season. For this, Tony Khan surely has to be held responsible.

Data provided by data.wyscout.com

COYW!!



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-02-08-before-the-whistle-fulham-vs-manchester-united-preview/

Solskjaer's team news for Fulham trip

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given an update on three defenders ahead of Manchester United's trip to Fulham on Saturday.

The Reds will look to extend the Norwegian's unbeaten run as caretaker manager to 11 matches when facing the struggling west London club in the lunch-time game (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Before his press conference on Friday, Ole told MUTV in his exclusive interview at the Aon Training Complex that Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian will be sidelined for a few weeks with minor injuries.

Solskjaer also said that Marcos Rojo has been training all week, after he recently returned from an injury rehabilitation period in his native Argentina.

""Rojo has been training for a few days, so he's back in training,"" said Ole. ""But we've lost Antonio and Matteo through niggles for a couple of weeks. "

""We're still not bad. We've got 20-21 players training every day, so that's good.""

In a separate discussion at his press conference, he added: ""Antonio has been training hard, really hard, and then he got a setback. So, hopefully, in a couple of weeks, he'll be back with us. He's been a fantastic servant at the club, he's captain for a "reason and, hopefully, we can get him back on the pitch. It was hard when he broke down, because he would have travelled this weekend."

HOW ARE FULHAM SHAPING UP?
Claudio Ranieri's side, who are second from bottom in the Premier League, will have Cyrus Christie and Andre Schurrle available for Saturday's game.

Full-back Christie was withdrawn in the second half of last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, while former Chelsea forward Schurrle missed out altogether through injury.

Of course, defender Tim Fosu-Mensah is ineligible to play against his parent club, as he is on loan from the Reds. Goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and centre-back Alfie Mawson are long-term absentees.

Ranieri also told the media on Thursday that January signings Lazar Markovic and Havard Nordtveit won't be fit enough to start but could be involved after training this week.



https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-team-news-for-fulham-away-in-premier-league-9-february-2019

 
Fulham are at a crossroads - Claudio Ranieri needs more than tinkering to ensure Premier League survival

(https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2019/02/07/187319127_Getty-Images-Europe_Crystal-Palace-v-Fulham-FC-Premier-League_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqFqjHhT47mRCfkf333TRxxTk8VivqJvR12kZoR6Ws1cY.jpg?imwidth=1240)
Claudio Ranieri has called on different tactics to his predecessor Credit: GETTY IMAGES

For all the talk of the 12 new signings who arrived at Fulham in a summer of wide-eyed spending, it is perhaps the fate of the club's more established players that provides a greater indication of the turbulence at Craven Cottage. A squad that was carefully taught to play a specific style of football under Slavisa Jokanovic has been deconstructed, rebuilt again and then told to essentially forget all they had done before.

Claudio Ranieri's appointment in November, announced at the same time as Jokanovic's sacking, was described by Shahid Khan, Fulham's owner, as "risk free". Nearly three months down the line, Fulham remain in a perilous position, seven points from safety with 13 games remaining. The "risk" very much exists for a side that has not won on the road all season and must now face Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in their next four matches at Craven Cottage.

For Fulham's players, there has been a marked contrast in approach and style since Ranieri's arrival. The pretty passing patterns that defined their progress under Jokanovic have been tossed to the Thames, replaced by a more robust, direct way of playing and an emphasis on fighting spirit and strength. "We need soldiers," said Ranieri.

On the evidence of the last few weeks, Ranieri does not see the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney, two of the most pivotal figures in their promotion from the second tier, as key members of his army. Sessegnon, last season's Championship player of the season, has started on the bench in six of the last eight matches. Cairney, meanwhile, has gone from being the club's primary central midfielder to playing either on the wing, behind the striker or not at all.

There are others from last season's campaign who have barely been seen this time around. Kevin McDonald has had niggly injuries, Stefan Johansen has joined West Bromwich Albion on loan and Marcus Bettinelli had been usurped as first-choice injury before undergoing knee surgery this month. But the sight of Sessegnon on the bench and Cairney on the wing remains the most telling example of the change Ranieri has wrought.

The Italian says he prefers Cairney, the club captain, to play further forward, where he can deliver the final shot or cross. Cairney, by contrast, has long said that he is best in the centre of midfield, dictating the play from deep. That is how he operated under Jokanovic, but Ranieri has different demands from what is stylistically a different team to the one he inherited. "When you are in the middle and lose the ball you have to work hard to regain the ball," Ranieri said. "In that position, he stops. No. That's no good. In that position you can win or lose the match, in the centre of midfield."

So out goes Cairney, then, and out goes the possession-based game that got Fulham here. "I love when we keep possession but look forward," said Ranieri. "I get crazy when we keep possession and go back to our goalkeeper. If you keep possession of the ball and you don't score, sooner or later you are to spread out and you concede a goal."

It all leaves the impression that Fulham are at an ideological crossroads. The promoted sides who have made the greatest impression on the Premier League in recent years have usually had clear identities — Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton — but Ranieri's Fulham are still getting to grips with theirs. The Italian is having to change the minds of those who bought into Jokanovic's methods and it has not been a simple task. "It's difficult," he said. "The more intelligent think 'ok I have the ball, I have to pass forward'. Who is not intelligent passes the ball horizontally and we lose the ball and give the counter-attack to them."

With Cairney and Sessegnon ostracised, the onus has fallen on other players to make the difference. Aleksandar Mitrovic continues to battle away impressively in attack, while Calum Chambers has done well in a central midfield position. So many of the other summer signings, though, have simply failed to deliver for either Jokanovic or Ranieri. There is a strong argument that too many new faces were added and, should they go down, it will be fourth time in six seasons that the promoted side which spent the most money in the summer has been immediately relegated.

There has been frustration within the club at some of the more expensive recruits, who have been occasionally untouchable in training but regularly underwhelming in matches. Jean Michael Seri, so highly rated before his £25m move from Nice, has been excellent in some matches but disappointing in most. Alfie Mawson has struggled to stay fit. And Andre Zambo Anguissa, meanwhile, has been little more than a £30m irrelevance, making only seven starts in the league all season.

There is a sense among some observers that, for all the excitement at the £100m Fulham spent in the summer, it was in fact two departures that proved more significant. Fulham lost right-back Ryan Fredericks to West Ham United, and were unable to secure a permanent deal for Southampton's Matt Targett, who was a revelation on loan at Craven Cottage in the second half of last season. Given the importance of the full-back in the modern era, they were major losses for Fulham, for whom Joe Bryan and Cyrus Christie have been unable to provide much solidity or consistency in those positions.

All this is not to say that Fulham have regressed under Ranieri's management. Statistically speaking, they have scored more goals and conceded fewer since he replaced Jokanovic. They also have more shots on target, create more chances and concede fewer goalscoring opportunities. As defender Tim Ream puts it, it is easier to learn how to play in this more compact, solid way than it is to attune a whole side to a choreographed passing system. "The manager has come in and simplified things," Ream said last month. "No risk early on."

But these have been baby steps when Fulham needed a giant leap, and who is to say that Jokanovic would not have overseen a similar progression as the boatload of new signings began to find their feet in the Premier League? The sense of turbulence at the club has not been helped, of course, by the recent arrest of Aboubakar Kamara on suspicion of actual bodily harm at the training ground. It was of little surprise that Kamara left on deadline day, joining Turkish side Yeni Malatyaspor on loan.

At least there is Mitrovic, who will always provide hope. And at least there have been occasional moments when Fulham have shown Premier League class, such as when they came back from 2-0 down to smash four goals past Brighton last month. That was a second-half performance of attractive, flowing football, when Ranieri ditched his five-man defence in favour of a more Jokanovic-esque approach.

It was surely no coincidence that Cairney, a substitute that night, was instrumental in the turnaround. "Look, we have got the players to play football," Cairney said afterwards. "I just feel like we have got to pass the ball. That is what we did in the second half. That is what I came on and tried to do to the team.

"It is tough. We can't really out-fight teams. We aren't big enough, we aren't strong enough. But we have got good footballers in the team with Ryan Babel coming in, Seri who can play football, myself. With Mitrovic up top, we have always got a chance to score. That is our best way: playing to feet."

Ranieri does not seem to agree. The Italian has his ways, and he has been hired to implement them. Whether that will be enough, though, depends on Fulham's minor improvement becoming a major transformation.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/02/08/fulham-crossroads-claudio-ranieri-needs-tinkering-ensure-premier/

 
Man Utd team news: Solskjaer confirms setback as duo are ruled out of Fulham trip

Manchester United can climb in to the top four with a win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday lunchtime.

Ahead of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he's provided a full team news and injury update including the latest on Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia.

Let's start with the positive news and Solskjaer confirmed that Rojo is back in full training after finally recovering from a leg injury. The defender has spent time recuperating in Argentina but he's back at Carrington and working to get back up to full fitness.

However, there wasn't such encouraging news on Valencia as Solskjaer has revealed the right-back has suffered a set-back in his recovery from a muscle injury and is facing a couple more weeks on the sidelines.

Valencia has featured just once since Solskjaer arrived as caretaker manager so it looks like the Ecuadorian international is going to have to wait a little while longer to try and force his way back in to the United first team.

Man Utd's options at full-back have been further limited with the news that Darmian is also facing a couple of weeks out so Solskjaer will have to rely on Ashley Young, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw this weekend.

He told ManUtd.com:

Otherwise, United have a healthy squad to choose from as Chris Smalling is back in contention after recovering from a foot injury so Solskjaer has a number of selection decisions to make tomorrow.

Man Utd head to the capital sitting fifth in the table but just two points adrift of Chelsea so they can climb up to fourth with a win at Fulham ahead of the Blues' clash with Man City on Sunday.



https://football-talk.co.uk/147135/man-utd-team-news-solskjaer-confirms-setback-as-duo-are-ruled-out-of-fulham-trip/

 
Why Antonio Valencia is not playing for Manchester United

Antonio Valencia has played once for Man Utd in their last 10 games and is expected to leave Old Trafford in the summer after 10 years at the club.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed Antonio Valencia suffered a 'setback' in Manchester United training and is out of this weekend's trip to Fulham.

Valencia has featured in one of Solskjaer's 10 matchday squads and has started once in the Premier League in the last four months, amid injury issues and a lack of form.

The 33-year-old last week shared a message from his father encouraging him to continue to work hard to make the Ecuador squad for this summer's Copa America. Valencia is out of contract at United in the summer and the club must trigger the one-year extension in his deal next month.

Solskjaer indicated Valencia would have travelled to Fulham had he been fit for a fixture which, if United win, would propel them back into the top four for at least 24 hours.

"Well hopefully he'll recover," Solskjaer said of Valencia. "Because he's been training hard, really hard. Then he got a setback, so hopefully in a couple of weeks he'll  be back with us, he's been a fantastic servant for the club, he's captain for a reason.

"So hopefully we can get him back on the pitch. But it was hard when he broke down, he would've travelled now this weekend."

Solskjaer described the Fulham match as a 'character revealer'. Fulham are second from bottom and should United rise to fourth it will be the first time since the first weekend of the campaign that they have sat in the top four.

"Of course you take it one step at a time," Solskjaer added. "And that's one of the goals we've set [to finish in the top four]. And if we do so we want to stay there and improve on that.

"It's been fantastic the last two months, so consistency now is the key word. We keep on improving, keep on winning games, but in a better way than say the Leicester one. We held on, it was good enough but we shouldn't just be happy with just good enough, we want to improve in games like this.

"Fulham is a character revealer, it reveals do we have the focus on what's important? Which is always the next game in football. And can we forget about PSG? The focus around the PSG game has been for a long time, Chelsea, Liverpool, but they're not the games that will move us up the table, they're the other games."

Nemanja Matic believes United are capable of challenging for the Premier League next season and Solskjaer is pleased the players are feeling bullish about an overdue title tilt.

"You cannot outperform your ego," Solskjaer cautioned. "That's one of them mantles you have to trust and believe yourself, but you've got to believe in yourself.

"If you want to be a champion and win it's how you prepare for every single game, how we demand, that we focus on every single day in training, every single game. It's about Fulham, one game at a time, but every single day prepare as best you can."



https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/manchester-united-antonio-valencia-injury-15799050

 
Fulham unveil 140th anniversary kit with black and white halves to be worn by first team ahead of 2019-20 season

    Premier League strugglers Fulham have released a striking new shirt design
    Oldest professional club in London was founded in 1879 as Fulham St. Andrew's 
    Marking 140 years since they were founded, the club have released a special kit

Premier League strugglers Fulham have released a striking new shirt design to mark their 140th anniversary.

Fulham, the oldest professional club in London, was founded in 1879 as a local church side, Fulham St. Andrew's.

With 2019 marking 140 years since they played their first game, the club have released a special edition kit mixing their historic and modern looks.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/08/11/9554696-6682235-Fulham_have_released_a_striking_new_shirt_design_to_mark_their_1-a-9_1549624420656.jpg)
Fulham have released a striking new shirt design to mark their 140th anniversary

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/08/11/9554694-6682235-The_shirt_is_split_into_black_and_white_halves_using_the_design_-a-11_1549624457672.jpg)    (https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/08/11/9554700-6682235-The_colours_were_worn_by_Fulham_for_the_first_time_in_1889_and_a-a-12_1549624462747.jpg)
The shirt is split into black and white halves, using the design of their first ever jersey

The shirt is split into black and white halves, combining the design of their first ever jersey with the colours worn by Fulham for the first time in 1889 and still used in their home strips to this day.

The limited edition design is completed with a special club badge, with '140 years' inscribed below the Fulham logo.

In a statement on their website, Fulham confirmed the first team will wear the kit in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

(https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/02/08/11/9554698-6682235-The_design_is_completed_with_a_special_club_badge_with_140_years-a-10_1549624452021.jpg)
The design is completed with a special club badge, with '140 years' inscribed below the logo

The kit is already available to buy in the club shop, although fans will have to be quick as only a limited number are being produced - 1,879 shirts, appropriately - priced at £65 for adults and £50 for children.

Fulham will hope they are wearing the anniversary kits in the summer friendly still as a Premier League club, however this is in severe doubt as the club battle against relegation.

The Cottagers are second from bottom of the table with 17 points from 25 games, seven points from safety.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6682235/Fulham-unveil-140th-anniversary-kit-black-white-halves.html

 
Baird calls time on illustrious career and eyes off field role

(https://cdn-03.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article37794630.ece/13628/AUTOCROP/w620h342/ettyImages-55312753.jpg)
History maker: Chris Baird tackles England ace Wayne Rooney in September, 2005 when David Healy's strike sealed a famous 1-0 win

Chris Baird says he hopes to find another role within football after bringing the curtain down on his distinguished 18 years as a professional.

Northern Ireland fans in particular are hailing the Rasharkin man for his commitment to the cause, with the Euro 2016 adventure which included qualification for the knockout stages the highlights of his 79 caps.

He made his debut for his country against Italy in 2003 and announced his retirement from international football in August 2016, just months after helping to write the Euro 2016 fairytale in France.

Baird played in nine of the 10 qualification games that booked the squad's ticket to France and he played his final game for Northern Ireland in the tournament, starting in the opening match against Poland in Nice.

One of Baird's greatest assets was his versatility as he could perform at right-back, centre back and as a defensive midfielder, and during his 13 years with Northern Ireland he demonstrated his prowess in each role.

As a defensive midfielder, he was a crucial piece in Michael O'Neill's jigsaw for the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Baird said yesterday that while his professional career is at an end, he hopefully has unfinished business with football.

"Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game in some capacity and I will now look at all the options to see what I can do next after hanging up my boots," he stated.

The former Ballymena United youth player admitted it was a hard decision to call time on his career. "It has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make to retire from the game I love and that has given me so much," he added.

"Qualifying and going with Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my career and I am sure it is still talked about by all of the GAWA (Green And White Army)."

Baird played for Southampton, Fulham, Reading, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion as well as Derby County.

He was part of the Southampton squad that reached the FA Cup final in 2003 and also featured in the Fulham team that made it to the Europa League final seven years later.

He added: "Playing in an FA Cup final with Southampton was something I always dreamed of and to reach the Europa League final with Fulham was something that will live with me forever."

The 36-year-old, who played under former Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez at Fulham, has been without a club since leaving Championship side Derby last season.

The Cottagers stated: "He departed the club after six years of service in the summer, but returned for a spell on loan in 2015/16, featuring seven times to help Fulham pull clear of relegation trouble in the Championship.

"Baird ended his career having represented the club 165 times with distinction, while he also won 79 caps for Northern Ireland, who he helped reach Euro 2016.

"Everyone at Fulham would like to thank Bairdy for his efforts over the years, and we wish him a very happy retirement."

Belfast Telegraph




https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/baird-calls-time-on-illustrious-career-and-eyes-off-field-role-37794525.html

 
Schürrle Wins Goal of the Month

André Schürrle has won the Premier League's Goal of the Month award for January after his sublime strike against Burnley was deemed the best.

Denis Odoi lofted a great pass over the Burnley defence for Schürrle to latch on to and open the scoring with a tidy half volley from the edge of the box.

He beat off competition from Sergio Aguero, Willian, Marcus Rashford, James-Ward-Prowse, Callum Wilson and Diogo Jota to claim the accolade.

Schürrle has become Fulham's second winner of the award after Jean Michaël Seri picked up the trophy for August with his goal at the Cottage against Burnley.

The German was also nominated in October for his long range effort against Cardiff but just missed out that month.

André sat down with fulhamfctv to discuss his thoughts on picking up the award and looks ahead to a big game against Manchester United on Saturday.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/08/andre-schurrle-wins-goal-of-the-month

 
Award-winning goal one of my best, says Schurrle

Fulham midfielder proud of wonder strike against Burnley that won him January's Carling award

Andre Schurrle says the strike that has earned him the Carling Goal of the Month Award for January ranks among his best.

The Fulham midfielder showed great skill against Burnley to control a ball over the top from Denis Odoi before dispatching an angled first-time strike into the far corner, in off the crossbar. It is a strike Schurrle is proud to have achieved.

"I saw Denis and the ball was just beautiful," he said. "I just tried to control it somehow and get a shot off and obviously I hit it quite well.

"Yeah, it was a beautiful goal. When I look at it the control and the shot were quite beautiful, so it's probably [in my] top three."

Schurrle's only regret was that his memorable second-minute strike at Turf Moor did not translate into points, Fulham suffering a 2-1 defeat.

"It was a game that we lost so there wasn't much celebration about the goal or anything."

Schurrle is confident Fulham can climb from their position of 19th, starting with a home match against Manchester United on Saturday.

"We need to look game by game and get some points to climb the table," he said.

"That's what we need to believe – and we believe it, so that's why we work hard every day, and try to get the points."

It's the second time a Fulham player has won the award for a strike against Burnley this season.

Jean Michael Seri's curling effort at Craven Cottage won the August Carling Goal of the Month prize.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/1049373

 
Nyla Rose in All Elite Wrestling: First trans wrestler to be signed by major league

All Elite Wrestling, the new professional wrestling company funded by billionaire Shahid Khan, has made history as the first major league to sign a transgender wrestler.

All Elite Wrestling, known by its acronym AEW, made the announcement that it has enlisted wrestler Nyla Rose on Thursday (February 7) at an event held at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Rose, based out of Washington, DC, appeared at the event on Thursday, getting into a heated exchange with fellow wrestler Kylie Rae

Nyla Rose joins All Elite Wrestling

AEW was formally announced in January with professional wrestlers Cody Rhodes, Nick and Matt Jackson and Kenny Omega partnering with Khan, and his son Tony Khan, to launch their own professional wrestling league to rival WWE.

Khan is the billionaire owner of the NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars and English football team Fulham FC.

Rose confirmed she has joined AEW on Twitter on Thursday. She posted an image of the AEW logo and wrote: "Oh it's true alright"

Fans on Twitter have been speculating that Rose's confrontation with Rae could lead to a match at AEW's second ever event, Double or Nothing, which will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 25.

AEW is rumoured to have a major television deal impending in the US, too.

Nyla Rose brings trans representation to wrestling

LGBT+ representation in professional wrestling has been sparse over the years, but there has been more inclusion in recent history.

WWE currently features an openly lesbian wrestler, Sonya Deville (real name Daria Berenato), on its SmackDown Live show.

Deville said she feels a responsibility to be a role model for young viewers who may be afraid of their own sexuality.

"My goal in talking about my sexuality publicly is just so that a scared little girl or little boy can see me do it and think, 'Wow, if she did it, then maybe it's OK that I do it,'" Deville told Sky Sports in November.

"It's to encourage people to be themselves. Equality for all is what we should all want, between race, religion, gender, sexuality... it doesn't matter.

"We're all equal and we should treat each other as such."



https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/02/08/nyla-rose-trans-all-elite-wrestling/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Pinknews+%28Pink+News%29

 
Zara Harrison: 1982-2019

Everyone at Fulham was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our colleague and friend Zara Harrison (née Barka) on Thursday this week.


Zara worked in the Club's commercial department as Head of Experience & Venue Events, and was a major contributing factor behind the many off-the-field successes Fulham has enjoyed over the years.

These included the organisation and event management of many high profile international fixtures at Craven Cottage, in addition to her day-to-day responsibilities in supporting the Club.

Zara worked for the Whites since February 2005, and took great joy in watching from the stands at Wembley last May as the Club won promotion back to the Premier League.

A very popular figure around Craven Cottage and the training ground, Zara was known for her fantastic work ethic, dedication, sense of humour and wit, and will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.

Our thoughts are now with her husband Mark and young son Oska, and the rest of Zara's family and friends, at this very sad time.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/08/zara-harrison-1982-2019

 
Ranieri: We Need Soldiers

Claudio Ranieri has called on his players to be soldiers as they prepare for another battle in the fight against relegation.


Manchester United arrive in SW6 as the Premier League's form team, but Ranieri wants to see his troops make life as difficult as they can for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men.

"Now we know where we are," Ranieri said. "We know it's a very, very tough moment. We need soldiers who have to fight until the end. That is my opinion, my philosophy.

"We know we're playing against a very big team who are fighting in the Champions League and to be in the Champions League next year. But we are ready to fight in every moment.

"We have to be positive. We have to fight because if you fight, you can lose. If you don't fight, you have lost before you play. This is my mentality.

"At the end, if your opponent is better than you, well done to them, but I want to fight, I want to see my players fight until the end.

"And the fans, I think they will be happy if they see the players are fighting for every ball."


One man who we could come up against is Anthony Martial, someone Ranieri knows well having brought him to AS Monaco in 2013.

"I signed him for five million," he recalled. "For Monaco it was good business! He's a very fantastic player.

"I watched him during the Under-21 match against Monaco Under-21s. I was very impressed by him. When there was the chance to buy him from Lyon, I said 'take this guy because for me he's good and he can have a very good future.'

"He came to Manchester as an experienced player, and has been fantastic - well done to him. He is a very good player, he can dribble, he can score the goals, he's strong, has character, is fast.

"[But] there are so many players; Pogba, Rashford, Lukaku, Mata, Sanchez. So many. We must concentrate and be strong, positive, show our personality during all the match."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/08/claudio-ranieri-we-need-soldiers

 
Chairman's Notes

Have an early read of an excerpt from Shahid Khan's notes that he's penned for Saturday's matchday programme.

The task we face in the months ahead speaks for itself. No one here at Motspur Park is happy being near the very foot of the table, and it's the last thing we wanted or expected for our faithful supporters. But, no one is accepting our position today to be our destiny. I certainly am not for many reasons, but first and foremost simply because I believe in Claudio and the calibre of players in this squad. And of the two options in front of us - to concede or compete - the only answer is to compete.

We could have conceded and been sellers in January. To that point, after investing more than £100m in the summer in a clear mission to compete, we stayed loyal to our commitment by turning down more than £100m in January to sell players to clubs in Europe as well as in China. Why? Because we wanted to give this squad every opportunity to compete, to show the fight I know is inside them and be the ones we'll remember making a dramatic and successful late run to safety.

It's been a difficult campaign thus far, with our fate at times being downright cruel. However, Fulham is far from the only club in football bitten by bad luck, so it's incumbent upon us to reverse our fortunes, as we did in the second half at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. That result wasn't an accident, but rather the result of a fierce response that followed one of our poorer first halves of the season. If you were there, you know we could have scored five, six or even seven goals in the final 45 minutes. We were brilliant.

And, if you were there, each of you earned Man or Woman of the Match honours. Down two goals at the break, rather than greeting your team with indifference or contempt as may have happened with home crowds elsewhere, you brought immediate and much-needed energy and noise that literally willed us to a win. I do not exaggerate here - you supported us, stood with us and stuck with us, and that transferred mightily to our performance and three points earned. It was massive fun for everyone, and I am going to ask you to repeat that effort, home and away, over each of the 13 matches ahead, starting in our fixture against Manchester United that will enjoy a national and global television audience. Fulham is celebrated throughout the world for its civility and class, but that doesn't mean our supporters shouldn't raise the roof for 90-plus minutes every week. Let's show the world, and our team, that our players and our supporters are up for the fight.

To read the full notes, make sure you pick up on a copy of your matchday programme on Saturday.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2019/february/08/chairmans-notes

 
Fulham vs Manchester United preview – a win could see the Red Devils move to 4th place this gameweek!

Manchester United have an opportunity to move up the Premier League table to 4th place this weekend. Do the Red Devils have what it takes to get all three points against Fulham?

Last game week, Manchester United finally managed to move above Arsenal in the table after securing a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have a chance to move up once again into 4th place – should they clinch all three points against Fulham.

The Premier League clash at Craven Cottage on Saturday looks like an easy one on paper – but United cannot afford to be overconfident.

Carry on reading to find out what tactics Solskjaer should deploy, which opposition players the Red Devils need to look out for and what the manager had to say before the game!

What tactics will Solskjaer deploy against Fulham?

Diogo Dalot has not featured much for United under Solskjaer and when he has he has looked shaky in defence.

Nevertheless, his last good performance for the Red Devils was against Fulham at Old Trafford in December – when he grabbed an assist in a four-goal thriller.

Hence, Solskjaer might be tempted to rest Ashley Young and play the Portugal international at right-back instead.

Other than that, I doubt the caretaker manager will chop and change the team too much, as so far things have worked out pretty well for the Red Devils, tactically speaking.

Do the Red Devils need to worry about the Lilywhites?

Not really – Fulham have been atrocious this season.

Claudio Ranieri's side are currently 19th in the Premier League table after losing 16 out of 25 games so far this campaign, with a goal difference of minus 30.

However, the robust squad does include some dangerous players who could hurt United if they are not careful.

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been lethal up top for the Lillywhites, having scored 10 league goals so far this campaign, so United's centre-backs will have to be at their best.

Furthermore, although Andre Schurrle hasn't exactly lived up to expectations, the forward still possess the quality to punish United if he's not marked properly near our box.

What the manager had to say before the game

In his pre-match press conference, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked if moving into the top four would be a big statement on his part. He replied:

    "Of course you take one step at a time and that's one of the goals we've set and if we do so we want to stay there and improve on that.

    "It's been fantastic, the last two months, so consistency now is the key word. We keep on improving, keep on winning games, but in a better way than say the Leicester one. We held on, it was good enough but we shouldn't just be happy with just good enough.

    "We want to improve in games like this. Fulham is a character revealer, it reveals do we have the focus on what's important which is always the next game." [MEN]

The Norwegian was also asked if he has brought belief back into the squad. He replied:

    "I hope so, that they believe they can do that because you cannot outperform your ego. That's one of them mantles you have to trust and believe yourself but you've got to believe in yourself.

    "If you want to be a champion and win it's how you prepare for every single game. How we demand that we focus on every single day in training every single game." [MEN]

The 45-year-old also spared a few words about Leicester manager Ranieri:

    "I don't know the ins and outs of the situation at Fulham but what he did at Leicester shows you what capabilities he has as a manager.

    "[It] must be the best achievement ever to win that league. I don't know the word but the team spirit, effort, they believed in themselves, so he is someone I've looked up to admired.

    "You read books – I know we're gonna come up against a manager and team that counter-attacking football that he's always had in his teams. I've copied a couple of his sessions actually." [MEN]



https://reddevilarmada.com/2019/02/08/fulham-vs-manchester-united-preview/

 
Aleksandar Mitrovic: Let's create a miracle at Fulham
Fulham host Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am on Saturday

Aleksandar Mitrovic wants to help create a miracle by keeping Fulham in the Premier League this season, starting with Saturday's clash against Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

The forward will be the first name on Fulham manager Claudio Ranieri's team sheet when in-form United visit west London in a match you can see live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Without Mitrovic's 10 Premier League goals, 19th-placed Fulham would be in even more trouble than their current predicament which sees Ranieri's side seven points from safety with just 13 games left to play.

Despite currently enjoying his best-ever season in front of goal in the top flight, Fulham's leading scorer is not thinking about individual milestones, only what is good for the team.

That means beating the odds and staying up this campaign.

"Of course, every day he [Ranieri] is trying to push me, saying, 'Is that the best you have?! You can do more, you can score more goals'," said Mitrovic in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.

"Of course, I would be happy if I score 20 goals. But I would be even more happy if I stay on 10 goals and we stay in the Premier League."

Mitrovic's 10 goals and two assists - including a vital second-half double to help overturn a two-goal deficit and beat Brighton recently - in a struggling team's cause has led to reported interest in the Serb.

The 24-year-old, though, has brushed aside those stories as he prepares to lead the line against United on Saturday lunchtime.

"Of course, if you play good, you will always have big teams who are interested in you and we will see," he said.

(https://e2.365dm.com/19/01/768x432/skysports-aleksandar-mitrovic_4561477.jpg?20190129214232)
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates Fulham's amazing turnaround against Brighton

"But the biggest thing that could happen to me is we stay up and then we will see what happens after.

"But to stay up with Fulham would be a real miracle to me and I would be really happy and really proud."

Watch Fulham host Man Utd live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am on Saturday



https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/11631611/aleksandar-mitrovic-lets-create-a-miracle-at-fulham

 
Solskjaer named Premier League Manager of the Month, Rashford takes players' gong

January was a good month for Manchester United, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Marcus Rashford winning awards for their contributions.

Manchester United interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won the Premier League's Manager of the Month award for January, while his striker Marcus Rashford clinched the players' prize.

Solskjaer has had a remarkable impact on United since replacing Jose Mourinho on a temporary basis, presiding over seven wins in eight league matches.

Although United were rarely spectacular in January, they won three of their four matches and came from 2-0 down at home to Burnley to rescue an unlikely point at the end of the month.

That form has helped United climb above Arsenal in the Premier League table, and they can overtake Chelsea – even if only until Sunday – when they travel to struggling Fulham on Saturday.

Rashford has been vital since Solskjaer's arrival, with the England international instantly earning the Norwegian's trust and being given a real run as United's first-choice striker ahead of Romelu Lukaku.

He scored in all but one of their four matches in January, netting three in total from wins over Newcastle United, Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion.

It is the first time since January 2011 that United have won both awards in the same month - Alex Ferguson and Dimitar Berbatov taking them home on that occasion.

Fulham's Andre Schurrle won the Goal of the Month award for his stunning volley against Burnley, though Sean Dyche's men won the match 2-1.



https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/solskjaer-named-premier-league-manager-month-rashford-takes-players-gong

Cottage Talk In The Community: The Fulham Football Club Foundation
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This episode is a new feature entitled " Fulham In The Community". This first show is an interview with Hugh Thomspon and Charles Ademeno from the Fulham Football Club Foundation. We discussed several initiatives that the Foundation is doing in the community. I highly recommend listening to this episode and learning about the Fulham Football Club Foundation.


You can also listen to the show by following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/2/8/18217095/cottage-talk-in-the-community-the-fulham-football-club-foundation

Cottage Talk: View Of The Opposition - Simon Peach Breaks Down Manchester United
Take a listen to a podcast that focuses on Fulham Football Club.

This episode is an interview with Simon Peach, who is the chief football writer at the Press Association, and he covers Manchester United for them.

During the intervew, he shared his views on Manchester United after the first time they played Fulham. He also talked about the press conference for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he was there, and shared what he learned from the Manchester United manager. We ended the show with Simon sharing his thoughts on this upcoming the match, and he gave a prediction. This is our preview show for this match.


You can also listen to the showy following this link...
https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/2/8/18217148/cottage-talk-view-of-the-opposition-simon-peach-breaks-down-manchester-united

 
"Not by my own free will" – Player says he never wanted to sign for West Ham

Former West Ham United winger Luís Boa Morte has revealed he never really wanted to move to the club.

Signed on a €6.8m deal from Fulham in 2007, the Portuguese footballer made 109 appearances for the Hammers before leaving for Greek football in 2011.

Boa Morte was interviewed by Portuguese outlet Mais Futebol this week, recalling his entire career, especially in the Premier League. And when asked about his move from Craven Cottage to Upton Park, he says it happened against his will.

"I went to West Ham, which is a club with many supporters, but not by my own free will. I didn't want to leave Fulham. A year before, I could have gone to Newcastle and I didn't want to force it," Luís Boa Morte told Mais Futebol.

Signed on a €6.8m deal from Fulham in 2007, the Portuguese footballer made 109 appearances for the Hammers before leaving for Greek football in 2011.

Boa Morte was interviewed by Portuguese outlet Mais Futebol this week, recalling his entire career, especially in the Premier League. And when asked about his move from Craven Cottage to Upton Park, he says it happened against his will.

"I went to West Ham, which is a club with many supporters, but not by my own free will. I didn't want to leave Fulham. A year before, I could have gone to Newcastle and I didn't want to force it," Luís Boa Morte told Mais Futebol.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/player-says-never-wanted-sign-west-ham-move-happened-will/

 
In the pipeline: Harvey Elliott

Harvey Elliott has already made headlines due to his exploits at Fulham.

Aged just 15, the right winger holds the prestigious honour of being the club's youngest ever player, as he made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Millwall earlier this season.

Elliott had an exam at school that same day, such are his tender years.

Indeed, Elliott was born in 2003, the same year that Wayne Rooney made his breakthrough for England.

And he appears to be something of a prodigious talent.

Colin Omogbehin, the club's Under-18 head coach, has been impressed with the growth and maturity shown by a player who still cannot legally drink in this country.

Speaking to BBC, he said: "From an early age Harvey's always managed to make good decisions at the right time.

"Whether that's rolling someone in with the perfectly weighted pass or scoring himself. He's real top end."

He added: "When he was 14 he played in the Under 16s against top quality opposition and he stood out. He was the best player on the pitch."

Elliott has played 13 times for Fulham's Under-18 team and has scored three goals, while laying on three assists, and has also played twice for the Under-23s.

One of those games came against Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy, playing 45 minutes in a 2-1 defeat, and he has also been capped at Under-15 and Under-16 level by England. He has scored two goals for the former.

Elliott has yet to commit himself to Fulham, however, due to FA rules. He cannot sign a professional contract until the age of 17.

The London Evening Standard, perhaps unsurprisingly, report that there is subsequently interest in his services.

Barcelona, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea are all said to be keeping an eye on the teenager, who is regarded as one of the finest young talents in English football currently.

Fulham face a battle to keep hold of him but, such is his precociousness, he should thrive wherever he goes.



https://www.footballfancast.com/premier-league/fulham/in-the-pipeline-harvey-elliott

 
Ranieri looking at bigger picture as Fulham seek survival boost against United

The second-bottom Cottagers are seven points adrift of safety.

Claudio Ranieri has told his Fulham players their battle against relegation will not be settled against Manchester United and they therefore cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season.

Of Fulham's coming seven fixtures, three are away from Craven Cottage — they are yet to record an away league victory this season — and the other four against United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

By the end of that run survival could be beyond Fulham's reach, with the club already seven points adrift of safety, but Ranieri is adamant they have to retain their belief if they are to have any hope of succeeding.

Given the difficulty of that run the Cottagers had been relying on victory last weekend at Crystal Palace, when they again lost, yet while that result appeared defining their manager knows it is a succession of results they require.

It was an unexpected victory at Manchester City that gave Fulham the belief to survive when they were struggling under Roy Hodgson in 2008, but perhaps acknowledging their present circumstances are considerably bleaker, Ranieri said: "We don't need one match to change the mood. We need more matches to change the mood.

"Of course, if there's a good result against United, the mood could be changed, but you have to see the next match.

"The inspiration I have is that if you continue to fight, you maybe have one opportunity to be safe.
It's not sure. But if you don't fight, you don't have that last opportunity. It's important to fight. After, if they're better than you, it's a pity, and we restart next season.

"It's contagious. Together it's easier. If you see the team, you don't see a team that's not involved in the relegation fight. No, we are fighting, but we lose some matches. Not because we don't fight; because the little details are against us."

Teenager Ryan Sessegnon has been among Fulham's most consistent performers when he has been selected, but under Ranieri he has become increasingly peripheral.

Last month's arrivals of Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic have provided the 18-year-old with further competition for selection, and the Italian questions whether Sessegnon has the experience and physical maturity to play every week.

"He is a lad," said Ranieri, who at Chelsea oversaw John Terry's development into a first-team player. "It's his first time in the Premier League and sometimes it's not possible to stay every time at the top of your condition.

"(But) now he is getting better and then he can play on Saturday. For me he is a very good player."



http://sport.bt.com/news/ranieri-looking-at-bigger-picture-as-fulham-seek-survival-boost-against-united-S11364335153768

 
Darren Moore confident Stefan Johansen can hit the ground running for West Brom

Darren Moore is looking forward to seeing what new signing Stefan Johansen can produce on the pitch for Albion.

Johansen is expected to be named in the Albion squad for the first time this weekend, following his deadline day loan from Fulham.

A central midfielder with plenty of Championship pedigree, he has impressed Moore in training during his first week at the club.

Johansen played in a midfield trio of a 4-3-3 system at Fulham last season, helping the Cottagers win promotion with eight goals and nine assists.

It's the same system the Baggies have played since November, and Moore is hoping the 28-year-old will fit in seamlessly.

"We hope he can hit the ground running," said Moore. "He's a talented boy, a really good player, that's why we brought him here.

"We feel he's a player that can fit into out system and style of play. He can bring us something more.

"Players we bring in have to improve the team and Stefan is certainly one. Stefan knows the league and we hope to provide a platform for him to perform and play.

"He looks really good in training, he's got a wonderful appetite and he's a lovely character which is always pleasing.

"That's what we want at the club. The only thing left to see is his performances."

Johansen is captain of Norway, and in the prime of his career at the age of 28.

Moore also hopes the all-action midfielder will be leader on the pitch for the Baggies.

"He seems like that in and around the building," added the head coach. "I've seen him in training and his level of performance and quality is great to see. He understands what we're trying to do here.

"Being the skipper for his country shows there's leadership qualities in him. All that's left to be seen is him having the opportunity to perform."

Johansen picked up 12 yellow cards for Fulham last season, and Moore was asked if he had a nasty streak Albion had been lacking.

"We'll wait and see," he said. "One thing we have seen is a genuine quality from him which is wonderful. He'll help with the balance of the team.

"He's had a week to train so he's got a good feel for us and the club. They all want to play and he's no different."



https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/west-bromwich-albion/2019/02/08/darren-moore-confident-stefan-johansen-can-hit-the-ground-running-for-west-brom/

Three Players to Watch: Matchday 26 vs. Manchester United
Yeah. This May Not be Fun

So, we're back to the very beginning of Fulham's problems. They simply can't get out of their own way to play a style that doesn't suit the players at all. Against Manchester United, a team that has been filled with goals galore under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the incentive will once again be to sit back with all Craven Cottage behind the ball before springing the counter-attack. I beg to differ.

In short, everyone around the world expects Fulham to lose 5-0, heck, maybe even 10-0. So why not go for it in attack? Why on Earth, in 2019, would you not want to play your best formation that fits the players? Why not play a system that allows Tom Cairney and Jean Michael Seri, Fulham's two most well-rounded players, to work well together? Most importantly, why should we be told by the opposition how to play?

Yes, there are great sides that have adapted to every game of football and are able to succeed, but this club was told to play one way for years. There are some adjustments along the way, but that comes after trying to put their best foot forward with the style the club would like to play. Just look at tomorrow's opponents as further proof of that.

We all know that their defense and midfield is Europa League at best without Paul Pogba, and that is unforgivable for Manchester United's standards. But their array of attacking talents are endless and they are being unleashed by Solskjaer's tactics. Add all that together from the disastrous Mourinho era and it's amazing to see United sitting third in the Premier League in expected goals scored at 46.5. The thing is though, United don't get better in defense by being more defensive. They keep the ball and tell every opposition to do your best to take the ball away from them.

That's how Fulham rolled under Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri has continued to ignore the past in spite of losing every part of the identity this club has built for so long. Tony Khan is no where out of the woods on this either, but the thing is, whoever dictates the tempo will not only win this game, but put in the proper margin of victory. There is a chance that plenty of big names could sit next week out for United due to their fixture against Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League next week. However, I seriously doubt their depth won't be lacking enough quality to affect the outcome of next week's game. Let's just hope Fulham even bother to give it a go and put their best foot forward.

On that note, here are three key players for United that have broken out under Solskjaer.

Marcus Rashford

You knew Marcus Rashford was a talent ever since making it to the Euros in 2016 for England. The question was always going to be how he was going to usurp Romelu Lukaku, a World Cup semifinalist and a world-class star at the prime of his career in his own right, from his starting position. Amazingly, Rashford has done that in his age-21 season and he has torn up the Premier League to pieces in the process. His nine goals are already a career high for him in any league campaign and his six assists and total xG Chain of 11.97 have him second only to Pogba. He is due for some regression on the assist count, but with United not having a true creative force that starts week-in-week-out, Rashford might as well be the closest thing. Now Lukaku could start on Saturday just to get his confidence going while the youngster goes back to playing out wide, but why not have him with Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial or even Alexis Sanchez up front. Should I mention that Juan Mata is also in this squad? Yeah, United are that deep in that area of the pitch and it will be downright miserable to mark any of them for a full 90 minutes.

Ander Herrera

Next up is the next best thing to Pogba in midfield, who clearly is head and shoulders better than any United player over there. However, Ander Herrera just puts in the hard yards whenever its required of him. Add in the horrible aging of Nemanja Matic and the loss of Marouane Fellaini to China and the Spaniard's role within the club grows even more. He's always involved in challenges and he'll do his best to connect the defense into attack. That latter part is perfectly seen with his club leading 0.55 xG Buildup per 90 among players playing over 500 league minutes. Now Herrera will be 30 by the opening weekend next season and his contract runs out this summer. He may not be a good enough midfielder to guide United to the juggernaut they were under Sir Alex Ferguson, but he has been enough of a cult hero during his time at the club that he won't be completely forgotten.

Luke Shaw
All data from whoscored.com

Lastly, let's talk about Jose Mourinho's whipping boy because this fullback has been proving doubters wrong all season. To be blunt, Luke Shaw has been the best defender for United all season by miles. It's as if we all have forgotten that he is still 23 years old with plenty of football left in him. However, the gruesome injuries have put him so far behind schedule in his development that he might as well be 28 or even 30. But now that Shaw is making up for lost time, we might as well get ready for him to have more amazing seasons to come as long as he is being managed properly. He's certainly getting that now under Solskjaer and I expect him competing the starting left back spot for England.



https://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2019/2/8/18216691/three-players-to-watch-matchday-26-vs-manchester-united

 
Claudio Ranieri says Fulham cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season

Claudio Ranieri has told his Fulham players their battle against relegation will not be settled against Manchester United and they therefore cannot rely on one result lifting their troubled season.

Of Fulham's coming seven fixtures, three are away from Craven Cottage – they are yet to record an away league victory this season – and the other four against United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City.

By the end of that run survival could be beyond Fulham's reach, with the club already seven points adrift of safety, but Ranieri is adamant they have to retain their belief if they are to have any hope of succeeding.

Given the difficulty of that run the Cottagers had been relying on victory last weekend at Crystal Palace, when they again lost, yet while that result appeared defining their manager knows it is a succession of results they require.

It was an unexpected victory at City that gave Fulham the belief to survive when they were struggling under Roy Hodgson in 2008, but perhaps acknowledging their present circumstances are considerably bleaker, Ranieri said: "We don't need one match to change the mood. We need more matches to change the mood.

"Of course, if there's a good result against United, the mood could be changed, but you have to see the next match.

"The inspiration I have is that if you continue to fight, you maybe have one opportunity to be safe.

It's not sure. But if you don't fight, you don't have that last opportunity. It's important to fight. After, if they're better than you, it's a pity, and we restart next season.

"It's contagious. Together it's easier. If you see the team, you don't see a team that's not involved in the relegation fight. No, we are fighting, but we lose some matches. Not because we don't fight; because the little details are against us."

Teenager Ryan Sessegnon has been among Fulham's most consistent performers when he has been selected, but under Ranieri he has become increasingly peripheral.

Last month's arrivals of Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic have provided the 18-year-old with further competition for selection, and the Italian questions whether Sessegnon has the experience and physical maturity to play every week.

"He is a lad," said Ranieri, who at Chelsea oversaw John Terry's development into a first-team player. "It's his first time in the Premier League and sometimes it's not possible to stay every time at the top of your condition.

"(But) now he is getting better and then he can play on Saturday. For me he is a very good player."



https://sport360.com/article/football/english-premier-league/317924/claudio-ranieri-says-fulham-cannot-rely-on-one-result-lifting-their-troubled-season

 
Confirmed: Man Utd squad to face Fulham

Manchester United are set to face Fulham at Craven Cottage in today's lunchtime Premier League kickoff.

This will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 11th game as United caretaker manager with the Norwegian having won nine of his first 10.

Fulham are down in 19th position in the Premier League table, having lost four of their last five, conceding 12 during this run.

With the first leg of our Champions League second round tie against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, the boss is expected to rotate his squad today.

One first team regular who has not travelled down to West London is Victor Lindelof. The Swedish centre-back has been left at home to remain fresh for our important midweek clash. Ole has Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo all available to him at centre-back.

Exciting teenager Tahith Chong has travelled down with the first team squad and could make his Premier League debut later this afternoon. The winger made his Manchester United debut as a substitute in our 2-0 win against Reading in the FA Cup at the start of January.

Chong faces competition for playing time with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata all included in our matchday squad for the 12:30 kickoff.

The full Manchester United squad that have travelled to Craven Cottage, confirmed by the Manchester Evening News, is as follows:

David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant; Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Ashley Young, Luke Shaw, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling; Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba; Tahith Chong, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial



https://redrants.com/confirmed-man-utd-squad-to-face-fulham/