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Manchester united goes into tonight’s match against Fulham at Craven Cottage knowing fully well that their premier league rivals have already made a statement regarding their intentions this year . With Arsenal blanking Blackpool 6-0 and Chelsea mauling Wigan with the same scoreline , it remains to be seen whether Manchester United can step up and respond with an equally impressive win against a Fulham side who are probably enjoying some of the best times for the club . Manchester united would not only face a difficult task but an upset is pretty much on the cards.
Manchester United would be going into the tie without their dependable striker wayne Rooney who is suffering from a stomach problem . This might give Javier Hernandes a first premier league start . Although he has been terrific in the pre season for the red devils , it remains to be seen how he fares against the big boys in arguably one of the most toughest and the most physical leagues around the world . Ferguson has further iterated that Owen would have a very important role to play this season although a rare league start looks unlikely right now . The team looked fresh and hungry for success last time against Newcastle but an away game always is a tricky one . Patrice Evra is set to start for the red devils and this would be a big boost for the team .
Fulham have seen their most successful coach leave this summer but getting a replacement of the quality of Mark Hughes speaks volumes of the club’s ambitions to regularly feature in the top tier of the league . But they face a race against time in order to prevent Schwarzer from moving to Arsenal . Scwarzer has been one of their top players last season and this match might well be his last in a Fulham shirt . Apart from that Fulham have an injury free squad .
Another potential blockbuster takes place at st. James park which would be buzzing again after a one year gap . Newcastle United were handed a bitter welcome to the premier league as they were clinically whitewashed by Manchester United . But Hughton had stressed before that home form would be the one to look out for and expect a totally different Magpies taking the field against a club which has been rocked hard by the departure of James Milner . He becomes the second Villa player to move to the blue half of Manchester . But they have simultaneously been bolstered by the arrival of Stephen Ireland from Manchester city who plays a game very similar to James Milner .
A wonderful night of football action awaits all the fans around the world .
