Manchester United will be looking to secure third position in the Premier League table when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford on the final matchday of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Red Devils booked their spot in next season's Champions League with an impressive 4-1 success over Chelsea on Thursday evening, while Fulham, who occupy 10th position in the division, will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with London rivals Crystal Palace last weekend.
Match preview
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Erik ten Hag's main goal for the 2022-23 season was to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League table and that is now secure ahead of the final matchday, with the Red Devils recording a 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
A point would have been enough for Man United to finish in a Champions League position, but they secured all three with an impressive performance, and the result moved them into third position, two points ahead of fourth-placed Newcastle United, who will finish their campaign away to Chelsea.
The 20-time English champions ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the EFL Cup at the end of February, while they will take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final next weekend, with the team looking to complete a domestic double and end the Citizens' treble hopes.
Man United have responded impressively to their successive defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United by winning their last three against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Bournemouth and Chelsea, and their home form has been a vital part of their success this term.
The Red Devils have picked up 45 points from their 18 league games at Old Trafford this season, conceding just nine times in the process, which is comfortably the best home defensive record in the Premier League.
There is no serious pressure on Man United in this match, but Ten Hag detailed the importance of claiming third after the clash with Chelsea, and the Red Devils, who have to win to guarantee finishing above Newcastle, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against Fulham to 16 matches on Sunday afternoon.
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Fulham were promoted back to the Premier League courtesy of their Championship title win last season, so consolidating back at this level was always going to be their number one priority in 2022-23.
The Cottagers have managed to secure back-to-back seasons in the top flight for the first time since 2014, and they have done so in comfortable fashion, with a brilliant campaign seeing them pick up 52 points from 37 matches to sit in 10th position in the table.
Marco Silva's side will finish 10th regardless of what happens on the final weekend of the season, and it is the team's first top-half position in England's leading division since claiming ninth in 2011-12.
Fulham will enter Sunday's match in excellent form, meanwhile, having picked up seven points from their last three matches, including a 2-2 draw at home to Palace last time out.
Silva's team recorded a 2-0 win over Southampton in their last away game on May 13, and they have been strong on their travels this term, picking up 23 points from 18 matches, which is just four fewer than Man United have managed away from Old Trafford in 2022-23.
Fulham will now be looking to build on their success next season, and they will be desperate to keep hold of their head coach, who is currently being linked with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Team News
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Man United picked up two fresh injury concerns on Thursday evening, with Antony being stretchered off the field in the first half of the match with what looked to be an ankle injury.
As it stands, there is no update on the Brazilian's condition, but he is incredibly unlikely to be available for this match, while Luke Shaw picked up a back injury in the first half of the game with Chelsea and is not expected to be risked ahead of the FA Cup final.
The Red Devils will also again be missing Lisandro Martinez, Donny van de Beek and Marcel Sabitzer, while Tom Heaton remains a major doubt due to an ankle problem.
Ten Hag is set to make changes from Thursday, with Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Scott McTominay all in line for starts, while Rashford is expected to return in the final third of the field, having made his comeback from injury and illness off the bench against Chelsea as Antony's replacement.
Fulham, meanwhile, remain without the services of Andreas Pereira, Tim Ream and Layvin Kurzawa, but Daniel James has a chance of returning against his former club.
Head coach Silva could name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Palace last time out, with Aleksandar Mitrovic leading the line.
Mitrovic was sent off against Man United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford in April for a push on referee Chris Kavanagh, which led to him being handed an eight-game suspension, but a strong campaign for the striker has seen him score 15 times in all competitions.
Willian and Harry Wilson should continue in the wide areas for the visitors, while Carlos Vinicius and Manor Solomon will also hope to be involved at some stage of the contest in Manchester.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Fernandes, Casemiro, McTominay; Sancho, Martial, Rashford
Fulham possible starting lineup:
Leno; Tete, Adarabioyo, Diop, Robinson; Reed, Palhinha; Wilson, Cairney, Willian; Mitrovic
We say: Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
Neither side is under major pressure in this match, but Man United need to win to guarantee third position in the table, and Ten Hag will want to enter the FA Cup final off the back of a strong result; we are expecting a close match on Sunday but believe that the Red Devils will ultimately secure all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
