Saturday Fulham Stuff - 12/11/22...

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Fulham remembers.#LestWeForget pic.twitter.com/6en4GFnJra

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 11, 2022

On #RemembranceDay, we recall the #ffc players who died serving their country in both world wars.

Billy Maughan
Leonard Moon
Harry Robotham
Pat Flanagan
Fred Wheatcroft
Bob Stuart
Fred Waterson
Teddy Thompson
Andy Ducat
Dennis Higgins
Jimmy Tompkins
Ernie Tuckett#LestWeForget https://t.co/ZocEXMzA61

— HammyEnd.com (@HammyEnd) November 11, 2022

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An update on Mitro from Marco's press conference. 📋#FULMUN pic.twitter.com/BCxvkpocn1

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 11, 2022

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Man United Team News at Fulham FC: Antony, Sancho, Varane

The final Premier League match before the onset of the World Cup break features two sides that haven't seen each other in awhile, relatively speaking, in Manchester United and Fulham FC. The series history now reads like this: United wins 52, Draws 20 and Fulham wins 14.

It was a score draw the last time these two clubs met, at Old Trafford in May of 2021. Let's look at the team news.

Manchester United vs Fulham FC FYIs
Kickoff: 4:30pm GMT, Sun. Nov 13, Craven Cottage

United Starting XI Prediction: go here

After Extra Time Pod: Apple     Spotify

Google Result Probability: Manchester United win -51%,  Draw  24%,  Fulham win 25%

Premier League Position:  Manchester United 5th, 23 pts   Fulham FC 9th, 19 pts

Premier League Form Guide:  Manchester United LWDWD    Fulham FC LDWWD

Team News for Both Sides
Antony (undisclosed) and Jadon Sancho (illness) are both doubts here, with the latter somewhat likely to feature, given reports of his recovery.

Raphael Varane (thigh) is out, but nearing a return, as he was named to the France World Cup squad. Own goal scorer Diogo Dalot is suspended, after accruing five yellow cards.

Meanwhile Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams remain out with undisclosed injuries.

Mason Greenwood is of course indefinitely suspended, with a little more on that over at this link.

Shifting over to the Cottagers, they will be sans five players. Aleksandar Mitrovic (ankle), Manor Solomon (knee) and Neeskens Kebano (Achilles) are all out injured.

Harrison Reed and Kenny Tete are suspended.



https://www.thesportsbank.net/football/manchester-united/antony-sancho-varane/

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Predicted XI vs. Fulham: Tyrell Malacia to replace Diogo Dalot at right back

Manchester United will be without the suspended Diogo Dalot for their trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday.

The Portuguese defender has been ever-present in the United side this season but is unavailable due to suspension, having accumulated five yellow cards.

With two good left backs at his disposal in Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, manager Erik ten Hag could switch one to the right – Malacia being the obvious choice.

Another option could be to push Victor Lindelof to right back and keep Harry Maguire at centre back alongside Lisandro.

In central midfield, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are expected to be recalled, having been rested in the Carabao Cup match on Thursday.

The forward places provide the most food for thought and could depend on player availability. Jadon Sancho and Antony have missed the last few games through illness and injury, respectively. Antony seems unlikely to play and risk aggravating his pelvis injury ahead of the World Cup.

Sancho, even if he recovers, may be deemed too rusty to start, especially as his form prior to getting sick was poor.

Donny van de Beek will surely drop to the bench after three invisible performances.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed Thursday's game with illness but the attack once again looked much better without him. So, even if he recovers, he may be consigned to the bench.

By default, this would leave Martial up front, Bruno Fernandes in the hole and then Marcus Rashford plus either Anthony Elanga or Alejandro Garnacho on the wings.

Given the Argentinian's brilliant form, we think he will get the nod, even if it means Rashford switching to his unfavoured right wing.

With David de Gea returning in goal, here is our predicted line-up:

https://thepeoplesperson.com/2022/11/11/predicted-xi-vs-fulham-tyrell-malacia-to-replace-diogo-dalot-at-right-back-255249/

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Fulham will be missing two suspended stars against Manchester United

While the focus will inevitably be on whether Aleksandar Mitrovic is available or not, Marco Silva's Fulham will be missing two suspended stars for Sunday's clash against Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

The in-form Serbian, who has nine Premier League goals to his name and leads the way with the number of shots on goal (52) and aerial duels won (62) in the top-flight, is a big injury doubt for the last Premier League game before the World Cup.

But while Fulham's powerful number nine could yet prove his fitness, Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed are both guaranteed to miss out after picking up their fifth Premier League bookings of the season in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Like Silva, Erik ten Hag has a suspension quandary of his own with Diogo Dalot suspended for the trip to west London following his fifth yellow card of the 2022-23 campaign during Sunday's 3-1 win defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Although out-of-favour Aaron Wan-Bissaka is back in training, Ten Hag's selection against Villa in tonight's Carabao Cup clash is going to have a huge bearing on whether United's number 29 is in the running to start at Craven Cottage.

With Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia already filling in at right-back this season, the £50m signing from Crystal Palace, who has only played four minutes of football this season, could be given the clearest sign yet that there's no way back for him under the former Ajax manager if he doesn't feature in any of United's last two matches before the World Cup.

Fulham will be missing two suspended stars against Manchester United
Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who missed the City defeat after serving a one-game suspension of his own, will likely come into the Fulham side to replace Tete at right-back.

But former Southampton youngster Reed has started every Premier League game for Fulham this season and has established a good partnership in the heart of the Cottagers' midfield alongside summer signing Joao Palhinha.

Fulham's club captain Tom Cairney, who has come on to replace Reed three times in the Premier League this season, could come into Silva's midfield on Sunday.

Ten Hag's side will come up against former Red Andreas Pereira who has made an impressive start to life at Fulham since joining the promoted side from United on a permanent deal in the summer.



https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/fulham-will-be-missing-two-suspended-stars-against-manchester-united/

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World Cup Call: Mitro

Aleksandar Mitrović is off to the World Cup after being named in the Serbia squad.

Much of his nation's hopes will lie on Mitro's broad shoulders, with the big man Serbia's greatest ever goal scorer, having netted 50 times in his 76 caps.

He also bagged the goal that booked their spot at the World Cup, heading home a dramatic late winner against group rivals Portugal a year ago.

It's a tasty looking group that Serbia find themselves in, as they compete with Brazil, Cameroon and Switzerland for progression to the knock-out stages.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/november/11/world-cup-call-mitro/

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Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic ruled out of Man United clash as World Cup fears rise

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will miss Sunday's clash against Manchester United and is a doubt for the start of the World Cup 2022 with Serbia.

Mitrovic missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City due to a foot injury and has been ruled out of the final weekend of Premier League fixtures before the World Cup break.

Reports in Serbia claim X-rays have shown the 29-year-old has been playing with two broken bones in his foot.

Serbia fear Mitrovic will miss their World Cup opener against Brazil on November 24, but hope he will be fit for their second group match, against Cameroon, four days later.

Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have scored more Premier League goals than Mitrovic this season, and being without their top scorer against United is a blow for Fulham, who sit ninth in the table and are looking to continue their fine start.

In his absence, manager Marco Silva could turn to Brazilian Carlos Vinicius to lead the line at Craven Cottage.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-fc-mitrovic-injury-man-united-world-cup-b1039309.html

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Mitrovic named in Serbia's World Cup squad
Fulham forward Aleskandar Mitrovic has been named in Serbia's World Cup squad – despite fears that he could miss their opening group game against Brazil with a foot injury.

Serbia's record goalscorer, who clinched their place in Qatar with a dramatic stoppage-time header against Portugal in Lisbon last year, will head to his first World Cup finals in fine form having scored nine times in twelve league appearances for the Whites this season.

Legendary head coach Dragan Stojkovi? has to negotiate a tough group which also includes Switzerland and Cameroon as well as the Brazilians. Mitrovic's fitness, with domestic reports suggesting he has broken bones in his foot, is still something of an unanswered question – with doubts over whether he will feature for Fulham in Sunday's Craven Cottage clash with Manchester United.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/11/mitrovic-named-in-serbias-world-cup-squad/

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World Cup 2022: Aleksandar Mitrovic in Serbia squad despite ankle injury

Mitrovic is Serbia's all-time top scorer with 50 goals in 76 games

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been named in Serbia's World Cup squad despite an ankle injury.

Mitrovic missed Fulham's defeat at Manchester City on Saturday and is a doubt for Sunday's match with Manchester United, but is expected to be fit for the tournament in Qatar.

Former Southampton forward Dusan Tadic, who has 90 caps, will captain the side.

Serbia, who have never made it past the group stages, are in Group G alongside Brazil, Switzerland and Cameroon.

If Mitrovic recovers he is likely to start up front alongside Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. They have scored a combined 17 goals for their clubs this season.

Porto midfielder Marko Grujic, who has had spells with Liverpool and Cardiff, is also included along with Fiorentina forward Luka Jovic and Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Dragan Stojkovic's side play five-time champions Brazil in their opening group game on 24 November.

Serbia squad

Goalkeepers: Marko Dmitrovic (Sevilla), Predrag Rajkovic (Mallorca), Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino).

Defenders: Stefan Mitrovic (Getafe), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina), Strahinja Pavlovic (RB Salzburg), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen), Filip Mladenovic (Legia Warsaw), Strahinja Erakovic (Red Star Belgrade), Srdjan Babic (Almeria).

Midfielders: Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Sasa Lukic (Torino), Marko Grujic (Porto), Filip Kostic (Juventus), Uros Racic (Braga), Nemanja Maksimovic (Getafe), Ivan Ilic (Hellas Verona), Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK), Darko Lazovic (Hellas Verona).

Forwards: Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus), Filip Duricic (Sampdoria), Luka Jovic (Fiorentina), Nemanja Radonji (Torino).



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63598682

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Manchester United to profit as Aleksandar Mitrović is being saved for World Cup

Serbian eyebrows rose when Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrović missed the game against Manchester City. The primary concern for Serbia was whether he'd be available for the first game of the World Cup.

For Manchester United, their main worry was whether they would have to defend against the prolific striker.

And as per Sport Witness, the Fulham attacker will not be lining up to face Lisandro Martinez this Sunday.

One less headache for United
Fortunately for Serbia (and Manchester United), Mitrović is set to return to be fit for the World Cup opener but not Sunday's game at Craven Cottage, according to Sportal in Serbia.

The caveat on the star striker's return is that he will no longer play a role in the game against the Red Devils before his trip to Qatar.

After getting retribution against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup with a thrilling victory, Erik ten Hag will welcome the news.

After the harsh Villa lesson in the league, United will be pleased to learn that Marco Silva's side will be without its star goalscorer.

Mitrović's virtuoso performances are an asset to the Craven Cottage side. In just 12 appearances, he has nine goals to his name.

It is proof of his pedigree as a striker in the Premier League after a successful season in the Championship.

A sigh of relief for Serbia, a headache for Fulham
The Serbian's performances this season mean his selection for the World Cup squad is little more than a formality.

However, his fitness levels for the opener against five-time World Cup champions Brazil is still concerning from a Serbian perspective.

Serbia, ideally, want him to participate in the opener and their next game against Cameroon.

The publication reports that Mitrović and Dusan Vlahovic will be in the squad facing the Seleção. Sportal puts any Serbian worries to rest, stating that "both injuries are in the process of being rehabilitated."

The outlet confirms that the Fulham attacker 'will certainly miss' the game against the Red Devils. It is United's last game before the World Cup in Qatar.

Taking a long-term view, the reason behind making Mitrović sit on the sidelines is 'so as not to risk anything, both for Fulham and the national team.'



https://thepeoplesperson.com/2022/11/11/manchester-united-to-profit-as-aleksandar-mitrovic-is-being-saved-for-world-cup-255255/

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Injured Mitrovic to miss Man Utd game

Fulham boss Marco Silva has confirmed Aleksandar Mitrovic will miss Sunday's game against Manchester United.

Mitrovic missed last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City with a foot injury he has been carrying since September that was sustained when on international duty for Serbia.

"Mitrovic will not play on Sunday," Silva said.

The Whites will be also without Harrison Reed and Kenny Tete through suspension for the visit of United in addition to long-term absentees Neekskens Kebano and Manor Solomon.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/injured-mitrovic-to-miss-man-utd-game

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Pre-Man Utd Press Conference

Marco Silva knows the calibre of team Fulham will be up against on Sunday, even if Manchester United have lost more matches than they would have liked this season.

Only three teams have won more games in the Premier League than the Red Devils, but they have also been on the receiving end of defeats courtesy of Brighton, Brentford, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

"You are talking about a team with a high, high quality, high individual quality," Silva said. "They haven't been so consistent, like they would like to be, of course.

"In some moments when they are in their best level, they are a really, really, really good team with a lot of quality all over the pitch, on the bench as well.

"They had some setbacks during the season so far, but we analysed them and we know what they are capable of and the quality they have.

"If they are at their best level, of course they are a really, really tough team to play against. And of course we analyse them thinking that they will be at their best level.

"It's clear what they try to do, I think it's easy to understand what they're trying to do in every moment of the game. It's up to us to keep preparing well, like we've been doing this week.

"We know their strengths, some weaknesses as well for us to try to exploit. Of course it's important to focus on them, but the most important thing for us is ourselves. I don't want to put all this focus on Man United.

"Of course we really respect them, great team, great squad they have as well, but the focus is on ourselves, what we are capable to do, what we should improve from the last one as well, and try to play our best level, even if we don't have all our squad ready for the match."

Erik ten Hag took over at Old Trafford in the summer, and currently has them sitting three points off the Champions League places, with a game in hand.

"He is trying to create his own philosophy inside that big club," Silva stated. "They moved in the market, they signed good players, they spent a good amount, which is normal in that football club to try to be stronger.

"They had a very good pre-season and, as I said before, some ups and downs during the season, but what I can tell you is that when they are at their best level they are a really good team."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/november/11/pre-man-utd-press-conference/

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Mitrovic out of United clash
Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of Sunday's meeting with Manchester United as he struggles to overcome a foot problem, Marco Silva confirmed during this afternoon's pre-match press conference.

The Serbian striker, who has scored nine goals in twelve Premier League appearances so far this season, missed last weekend's agonising defeat at Manchester City and reports from his homeland suggested he was a serious doubt for his country's World Cup opener against Brazil on 24 November after breaking bones in his foot.

Silva told the written press that Fulham's number nine 'will not play on Sunday' and the striker's absence is not the only headache he will need to solve ahead of televised clash at Craven Cottage. Both Kenny Tete and Harrison Reed are suspended after picking up five bookings, whilst wingers Manor Solomon and Neeskens Kebano are injured.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/11/mitrovic-out-of-united-clash/

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Aleksandar Mitrovic set to miss Fulham vs Manchester United and is a doubt for Serbia's World Cup opener vs Brazil

Aleksandar Mitrovic is set to miss Fulham's clash with Manchester United on Sunday and is a doubt for Serbia's World Cup opener against Brazil later this month.

The 28-year-old has been in superb form for Fulham this season with nine goals in the Premier League so far.

Mitrovic missed Fulham's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend with manager Marco Silva had played down the severity of the striker's injury.

However, Serbia's Politika report that Mitrovic is already ruled out of Fulham's final Premier League game before the World Cup begins and is a major doubt to be fit for the start of the tournament.

The report claims that Mitrovic suffered the injury whilst on international duty with Serbia in September and medical tests have shown that the striker has two broken bones in his foot.

Mitrovic is currently in Belgrade undergoing treatment and Serbia are hopeful that the Fulham forward will be ready for their second game in Group G.

Serbia's World Cup begins against Brazil on November 24 before they face Cameroon on November 28 and then Switzerland on December 2.

Serbia are also facing the prospect of being without their other star striker, Dusan Vlahovic, for their game against Brazil as the Juventus forward is also injured.



https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/11/fulham-hit-with-aleksandar-mitrovic-injury-blow-ahead-of-man-utd-clash-17743231/?ito=newsnow-feed

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Southampton: Riverside Upper On Sale

Supporters are advised that seats in the upper tier of the new Riverside Stand are now available to purchase for our home match against Southampton.

With tickets limited in all other stands,  just over 1,400 seats are now on sale for this fixture across blocks R11, R12, R17 and R18 priced at £90 for adults, and £60 for juniors.

The Saints make the trip to Craven Cottage on Saturday 31st December (KO 3pm) in what will be Fulham's first home match since the FIFA World Cup.

Supporters are reminded that all fans sat in The Riverside share the concourse and boardwalk on Level 0 (ground floor), where all available food and drink offerings and toilet facilities are located, and that access to the upper tier is by stair-only.

Tickets for this fixture are now on General Sale.

To secure your seats, visit tickets.fulhamfc.com, call the Fulham FC Ticket Office on 0203 871 0810 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or visit the Fulham Ticket Office in person (open Mon-Fri 9:30am-4:30pm).



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2022/november/11/southampton-riverside-upper-on-sale/

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Alexsandar Mitrovic is OUT of Fulham's clash with Man United this weekend and faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup as the talismanic striker battles a foot injury

    Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of Fulham's game against Man Utd this weekend
    Reports suggest the striker has been playing with two broken bones in his foot
    The injury means Mitrovic is a huge doubt for Serbia's opening game with Brazil
    Despite the injury the forward  has been included in Serbia's World Cup squad 

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could face a race against time to be fit for the start of the World Cup

The Serbian is set to miss out again because of a foot problem when Fulham host Manchester United on Sunday in the last Premier League match before the players jet off to Qatar.

Reports in Serbia, meanwhile, suggest Mitrovic, scorer of nine league goals this season, has been playing on despite two broken bones in his foot since suffering the initial injury while on international duty during September.


Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of Fulham's game this weekend is a now a World Cup injury doubt

With Serbia opening their World Cup campaign against Brazil on November 24, Mitrovic's likely recovery may leave him short of fitness, but the 28-year-old could still feature later in the group stage for matches with Cameroon and Switzerland.

Fulham also have midfielder Joao Palhinha named in Portugal's World Cup squad.

Defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson will be in Qatar with the United States, who could come up against Wales duo Harry Wilson and Daniel James as well as England in Group B.

Fulham manager Marco Silva said at a press conference: "Every time our players play for their national teams, we have to be proud of them.


The Fulham star has still been included in Serbia's squad for the World Cup later this month

"It is a good sign for us as well."

As well as missing Mitrovic, defender Kenny Tete and midfielder Harrison Reed will serve one-match suspensions after collecting five yellow cards.

Forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid, though, will be available again following his own ban.

"Mitrovic will not play on Sunday," Silva said. "It will be more or less the same players who are available.

"We have two players who have had a fifth yellow card, so we will make some changes, like we did against (Manchester) City last week."

The Cottagers continue to exceed expectations on their return to the Premier League.

Last weekend's 3-2 loss at Manchester City, settled by a stoppage-time penalty from Erling Haaland, ended a four-game unbeaten run.

United have also been in good form, recovering from the Premier League defeat by Aston Villa with victory over Unai Emery's side in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night to book their place in the fourth round.

"They haven't been consistent like they would like to be," said Silva.

"If they are at their best level, they are a really tough team to play against and that is what we will prepare for."



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11417421/Aleksandar-Mitrovic-race-against-time-fit-World-Cup.html

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Fulham v Manchester United

Fulham are managing leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic's ankle ahead of the World Cup

TEAM NEWS

Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic is again out with the ongoing foot injury that could delay his start to the World Cup.

Bobby De Cordova returns after suspension but Harrison Reed and Kenny Tete are banned for accumulating five bookings.

Manchester United have Bruno Fernandes available after a league suspension but Diogo Dalot serves a one-match ban.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a doubt because of illness and Antony will have a late test on a pelvic injury.

CHRIS SUTTON'S PREDICTION
Manchester United fans did not appreciate my decision last week to stop just referring to them as United. The abuse has been endless, when they should really be worrying about what is happening to their team.

I actually think Erik ten Hag should be happy with his first few months of work at Old Trafford but we saw last week when they lost at Aston Villa that he has not solved all his problems, and it feels to me like they are a team who needs the World Cup break to regroup and to go again.

Ten Hag has made a few baffling decisions of late - using Harry Maguire as a striker against Real Sociedad and then making Cristiano Ronaldo captain against Villa.

His side have lost three games on the road already this season and I think they will come a cropper at Craven Cottage too.

I wouldn't say I was disappointed by the way Fulham played against Manchester City's 10 men for an hour last weekend, but they didn't seem to have any belief they would win at Etihad Stadium.

Things should be different on their own patch and I think they will spring one final shock before the season stops.

Prediction: 2-1

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

    Fulham are winless in 14 matches against Manchester United in all competitions since a 3-0 Premier League victory at Craven Cottage in December 2009.
    The Cottagers could equal their longest top-flight home losing streak versus a single opponent: six against Arsenal (1968-2006) and Spurs (2010-running).

Fulham

    Four of their five league defeats this season have come against teams currently in the top four - Manchester United are currently fifth.
    They have already equalled their final tally of five wins in their most recent Premier League season, in 2020-21.
    Andreas Pereira has been directly involved in six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for Fulham, as many as he had in 45 top-flight games for Manchester United.

Manchester United

    Manchester United have lost 11 of their 33 Premier League games in 2022, their highest number in a calendar year since 1990, when they were beaten 12 times.
    The Reds have lost only one of their last 18 league matches against promoted teams - against Watford in 2021 in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's final game as United manager.
    Bruno Fernandes has scored 38 goals and provided 26 assists in 99 Premier League appearances.


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63531141

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Now Ollie Cooper does go to Qatar as Fulham player Luke Harris pulls out

Readers of a certain disposition please look away now. Fulham player Luke Harris has pulled out of the Wales squad this morning. Somewhat surprisingly after being offered a golden opportunity with Wales at the World Cup even though feelings that he had been offered his place ahead of several others was a poor choice.

To be perfectly honest this whole situation has been a complete fiasco and has been totally mishandled since the so called 'working class' announcement of the Wales squad on Wednesday evening in Tylerstown. Instead of it being a celebration of what may well be, and indeed despite the whole process being tarnished by a ridiculous squad announcement on Wednesday. That announcement came and went without any fanfare before anyone could blink, now we have the replacement situation raising its head over three days.

In the first place, Page having seen Luke Harris train for a few days earlier this year then to select the seventeen year old ahead of a midfielder in Ollie Cooper who has scored goals, created goals and dominated in a number of games this season was flawed at best. Harris has never played for Wales at any level above under 19. Now he has withdrawn for personal reasons, and if those reasons are Wales are beneath him and he fancies the country of his birth instead then it makes another joke of this whole process.

I mean he is just a kid at seventeen, yes he is a talent but the differing messages on this subject are easy to take apart, and there have been a few. Why would he be named ? Did Page not speak to him as he didn't speak to Ollie Cooper or Russell Martin ? Is this another insight in to a Wales manager who doesn't have the capacity to actually 'manage' ? Surely he spoke with Harris ? Really ?

Sometimes it's hard to stick or twist when writing points of view such as this, but Harris should never been picked in the first place, it has caused division that wasn't needed in the national sides club rivalry on social media. Hundreds of exchanges have taken place, that were also unnecessary and are hardly representative of 'Together Stronger' or whatever that means. When it suits of course it does. But the concentration of everything in the south east corner of this small country and the belief that is appropriate time and time again is even more laughable. The north never gets a look in and that area of Wales has a huge national team support, I've seen it and witnessed it first hand.

With all due respects one person taking six 'Cardiff City' flags to a game not only causes excess baggage on any flight, it displays excess baggage mentally as well. Is that what we are dealing with here this week ? Swansea City have put academy players into the heart of the Wales national side. Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Joe Allen, Ben Cabango and product Dan James all travel to Qatar for this World Cup. When a national side doesn't take all its best players to a competition then you can always expect questions to be asked. Ryan Hedges at Blackburn Rovers is a prime example. Why he isn't included is incredibly questionable, well when I say questionable I mean we all know it is so John Williams a league two player at Swindon can go of course. When Rabi Mantodo who has been in the Welsh set up for a few years now is excluded, and he has played ten Glasgow Rangers games this season so another league two player in Chris Gunter can go is not clever management.

It's giving your mates a holiday, Gunter and Williams could easily have been included as replacements and also travelled, is Page really thinking about playing these two ? One plays for a club in AFC Wimbledon who are closer to non league than the football league ! As long as the manager states he was always was going to take these two for reward purposes and then doesn't take Mantodo who also contributed to qualification you have to smile. If you didn't you would think someone somewhere was taking the proverbial.

The ( FAW) 'football association of Wales' ( change your name please it's Cymru in these fluid times ) FAC is the new moniker. Just add ALL to that and we are complete. Answers on a postcard as to what that means. They as an organisation have to be having a debrief on the way this week has developed, once the back slapping stops of course. Yes we want Wales to play in a successful World Cup irrespective of the choice of location, and this website will always support the national side irrespective of who is involved, that's never in doubt. But come on, all that many are asking is did it really have to pan out in this way ? We are pretty certain it wouldn't have If the slightest amount of forethought had been included in a week when it was needed most.



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/news/58980/now-ollie-cooper-does-go-to-qatar-as-fulham-player-luke-harris-pulls-out

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Aleksandar Mitrovic facing World Cup 2022 row as Fulham boss denies injury rumours

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been ruled out of Fulham's clash with Man Utd this weekend but is named in Serbia's World Cup squad with disputed reports about the extent of his injuries

Aleksandar Mitrovic faces a club-v-country row after getting called up for Serbia's World Cup squad despite being ruled out of Fulham 's final Premier League game.

Serbia's record goalscorer will miss Manchester United 's visit to Craven Cottage on Sunday with a nagging foot injury he suffered in September. Mitrovic revealed last month he is in a "lot of pain" and playing with the help of painkillers.

Whites boss Marco Silva has denied reports in Serbia that his team's talisman had broken two bones in his foot. But the Portuguese, who said Mitrovic wants to go to Qatar, claimed his World Cup was in doubt before talks next week between Fulham and Serbia next week.

"We have to wait and decide between our medical staff and the medical staff of Serbia," said Silva. "The injury is to his bone but it is not broken.

"It is not important what I prefer. My preference in this situation will not make any difference because I will not make the decision in this situation."

The crunch will come if Fulham claim top-scorer Mitrovic, who has scored nine of their 23 goals this season, decide the player is not fit and he insists on playing.

"It is another difficult question for me because you are supposing something that will happen," Silva added. "Mitro wants to play in the World Cup. Mitro wanted to play against Manchester United, he wanted to play against Manchester City last week as well. You have to wait for a decision from our medical staff and the Serbian Federation and then we will make a decision."

Mitrovic, 28, first suffered the bone injury on international duty in September and he has played only five matches since. The Fulham star, who has scored 50 goals in 76 games for Serbia, missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 20202 shootout with Scotland in November 2020. But a year later he scored the last-minute winner against Portugal to send Serbia to Qatar.

Dragan Stojkovic's side play five-time champions Brazil in their opening group game on November 24. Asked about Fulham stars playing in Qatar, Silva cast further doubt over Mitrovic by saying: "It is important for us. We have got six who are going to the World Cup. Six or five, let's see what will happen."



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aleksandar-mitrovic-facing-world-cup-28469537

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Silva wary of 'high quality' United
Marco Silva says his Fulham side will have to be at the very best to beat 'a high quality' Manchester United side on Sunday – but the Portuguese head coach is confident that the Cottagers can put together a strong display.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference at Motspur Park this afternoon, the Fulham boss said:

"You are talking about a team with a high, high quality, high individual quality. They haven't been so consistent, like they would like to be, of course. In some moments when they are in their best level, they are a really, really, really good team with a lot of quality all over the pitch, on the bench as well. They had some setbacks during the season so far, but we analysed them and we know what they are capable of and the quality they have.

"If they are at their best level, of course they are a really, really tough team to play against. And of course we analyse them thinking that they will be at their best level. It's clear what they try to do, I think it's easy to understand what they're trying to do in every moment of the game. It's up to us to keep preparing well, like we've been doing this week.

We know their strengths, some weaknesses as well for us to try to exploit. Of course it's important to focus on them, but the most important thing for us is ourselves. I don't want to put all this focus on Man United. Of course we really respect them, great team, great squad they have as well, but the focus is on ourselves, what we are capable to do, what we should improve from the last one as well, and try to play our best level, even if we don't have all our squad ready for the match."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2022/11/silva-wary-of-high-quality-united/