MU must be cautious about Fulham because of this

On the evening of Sunday, February 1st, Manchester United will host Fulham at Old Trafford in the 24th round of the Premier League.

In theory, this is a match where the "Red Devils" are favored, but in reality, it presents quite a few challenges for coach Michael Carrick, who is under significant pressure in the race for a spot in next season's Champions League.

After 22 matches, MU currently sits 4th in the standings with 38 points, only 4 points ahead of Fulham, who are in 7th place. This narrow gap makes the clash at Old Trafford crucial. A victory would help MU solidify their top 4 position and possibly extend a safer lead over the chasing pack. Conversely, a slip-up could see Carrick’s squad risk being pushed out of the Champions League places.

Notably, MU has recently performed well against top teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. In those games, Carrick opted for a defensive counter-attacking style, conceding possession to the opponent while focusing on exploiting spaces behind their defense. This tactic proved effective, helping MU secure positive results and boosting the team’s morale.

However, facing Fulham will be a completely different scenario. MU will no longer be the underdog but must take control of the game. This presents a complex challenge for Michael Carrick, as MU has often struggled against disciplined, defensively solid teams ranked lower. Additionally, Fulham’s form is impressive, remaining unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 matches.

Fulham will likely employ a low-block strategy, dropping deep to close down the midfield and penalty area. When opportunities arise, they will launch quick counterattacks leveraging their speed and smooth transitions. This style of play is particularly troublesome for MU, especially since the "Red Devils" attack can sometimes lack sharpness against crowded defenses.

To secure all 3 points, MU must demonstrate patience, effective ball circulation, and capitalize well on set pieces. More importantly, Carrick needs flexible tactical plans to avoid the team becoming stuck or unbalanced when pushing forward.

Therefore, the match against Fulham is not just about points but also a critical evaluation of Michael Carrick’s managerial abilities. Success will help MU remain firmly in the top 4, while failure could steer the "Red Devils" season into a very unfavorable direction.