MAN.UTD vs FULHAM

Match Preview

 Manchester United

      Robin van Persie is set to make his first start for Manchester United, following his recent move from Arsenal. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that the Netherlands international striker – who made his debut for the club as a substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Everton on Monday – will be promoted to the first XI for the visit of the Cottagers.

      Ferguson has also confirmed Van Persie's compatriot and fellow new recruit, full-back Alexander Buttner, will be involved, most likely starting on the bench, and that he will once again be without the defensive quartet of Phil Jones (back), Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling (both foot) and Rio Ferdinand (leg) that was unavailable for the Everton game.

 

Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Rafael, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Nani, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverley, Kagawa, Powell, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck, Hernandez, Berbatov, Macheda, Buttner.

 

Fulham

Having missed last week's 5-0 rout of Norwich, Clint Dempsey will again be missing from the lineup, while Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Philippe Senderos (foot) are also unavailable. However, Zdenek Grygera (knee) has been passed fit.

 

Fulham (from): Schwarzer, Stockdale, Somogyi, Etheridge, Kelly, Riise, Hangeland, Baird, Briggs, Grygera, Hughes, Riether, Halliche, Sidwell, Kasami, Duff, Diarra, Kacanicklic, Petric, Ruiz, Rodallega, Trotta.