Head-to-Head Summary
Manchester United have won seven of the last 10 competitive meetings with Fulham. Fulham have won once, while two matches finished level.
Across those 10 games:
Manchester United wins: 7
Fulham wins: 1
Draws: 2
Manchester United goals: 16
Fulham goals: 9
United's advantage is clear, but the recent games have been much closer than the overall record suggests.
Fulham won 2-1 at Old Trafford in February 2024, held United to a 1-1 league draw at Craven Cottage in August 2025 and also knocked them out of the FA Cup on penalties following another 1-1 draw in March 2025.
The most recent meeting ended 3-2 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in February 2026.
That recent pattern suggests Fulham are no longer approaching this fixture with the same historical disadvantage that existed through much of the previous decade.
Last 10 Meetings
February 1, 2026 — Premier League: Manchester United 3-2 Fulham
August 24, 2025 — Premier League: Fulham 1-1 Manchester United
March 2, 2025 — FA Cup: Manchester United 1-1 Fulham — Fulham won on penalties
January 26, 2025 — Premier League: Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
August 16, 2024 — Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Fulham
February 24, 2024 — Premier League: Manchester United 1-2 Fulham
November 4, 2023 — Premier League: Fulham 0-1 Manchester United
May 28, 2023 — Premier League: Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
March 19, 2023 — FA Cup: Manchester United 3-1 Fulham
November 13, 2022 — Premier League: Fulham 1-2 Manchester United
United have therefore lost only one of the last 10 competitive H2Hs in regulation time.
However, five of the last six meetings were decided by one goal or finished level. Fulham's ability to make the fixture competitive is now well established, even when United eventually find a way to win.
Fulham Current Form
Fulham's last five competitive matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats.
September 15 — West Ham 2-3 Fulham
September 12 — Liverpool 0-0 Fulham
September 5 — Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
August 30 — Sunderland 1-0 Fulham
August 27 — Fulham 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Álvaro Arbeloa's side have only one point from their opening four Premier League matches, but the 0-0 draw at Anfield was a significant improvement.
Fulham defended with far greater control against Liverpool and became the first league team this season to prevent Andoni Iraola's side from scoring. It was especially encouraging after Fulham had conceded three goals against both Chelsea and Crystal Palace earlier in the campaign.
The midweek victory at West Ham should also help confidence. Fulham won 3-2 away from home to progress in the Carabao Cup, giving Arbeloa an opportunity to use more of his squad while still producing a positive result.
The next challenge is turning better performances into league victories. Fulham have scored four goals and conceded seven in their four Premier League matches, so improved defensive control needs to be matched by greater consistency in the final third.
Manchester United Current Form
Manchester United's last five competitive matches have produced two wins, one draw and two defeats.
Their sequence is:
September 16 — Manchester United 2-3 Brighton
September 13 — Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City
September 10 — Manchester United 4-0 Sabah FK
September 6 — Everton 2-2 Manchester United
August 30 — Manchester United 5-2 Ipswich Town
United's league record stands at one win, one draw and two defeats. They have scored seven Premier League goals and conceded seven.
The attacking numbers are reasonable, but the last week has created serious questions about game management.
Against Brighton, Shea Lacey and Mason Mount put United 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes. Carrick's team then conceded three unanswered goals and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup. Brighton finished with 18 attempts to United's nine, highlighting how dramatically control changed after the opening period.
That defeat followed the 1-0 loss to Manchester City, who played with 10 men for most of the derby.
United therefore arrive at Craven Cottage needing both a result and a more controlled performance.
Fulham Team News and Injuries
Ryan Sessegnon missed Fulham's Carabao Cup victory over West Ham. The club confirmed his absence before that match, but his availability for Manchester United has not yet been confirmed.
Arbeloa otherwise has a reasonably deep first-team group available.
Bernd Leno, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, Sander Berge, Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe, Josh King, Oscar Bobb, Gonzalo García and Rodrigo Muniz are all among Fulham's senior options.
The midweek cup victory also allowed Arbeloa to manage minutes across the squad. Fulham played on Tuesday, giving them an additional recovery day compared with United, who faced Brighton on Wednesday.
That small scheduling advantage could become relevant if Sunday's match remains intense late into the second half.
Manchester United Team News and Injuries
Manchester United remain without several important players.
Matthijs de Ligt is still unavailable because of his long-term back problem. Amad Diallo remains out with an ankle injury, while Manuel Ugarte is recovering from a serious knee injury suffered during the World Cup.
Carlos Baleba has returned to individual training after an ankle problem but is not expected to make his United debut before the October international break. Tom Heaton also remains sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Luke Shaw is closer to returning.
The left-back has missed United's last three matches because of fitness concerns and is considered a possibility for the Fulham game, although his availability still requires confirmation.
There are no confirmed United suspensions for this match.
Carrick still has significant attacking depth through Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Marcus Rashford and Benjamin Šeško. Mbeumo and Šeško both scored in the 2-2 draw at Everton earlier this month.
Tactical Match Analysis
The tactical question for Fulham is how aggressive they want to be.
Arbeloa has encouraged his team to play with more initiative, but Sunday's opponent may give them opportunities without Fulham needing to force the game. United have looked vulnerable when matches become stretched, particularly after losing possession in advanced areas.
Fulham may therefore be better served by combining controlled possession with quick transitions.
Josh King and Oscar Bobb can receive between midfield and defence, while Iwobi provides another player capable of carrying possession forward. Gonzalo García or Muniz can then occupy United's centre-backs and create space for runners arriving from deeper positions.
Manchester United should still expect to have significant periods on the ball.
Bruno Fernandes remains the central creative player. If Fulham defend too deeply, he can dictate attacks around the penalty area and look for Mbeumo, Rashford or Cunha making runs from wider positions.
The role of United's midfield will be equally important.
Carrick needs greater control after the Brighton collapse. Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Andrey Santos provide different qualities, but United cannot allow Fulham to run directly through central areas whenever possession changes.
Fulham's full-backs could become a key part of the matchup.
Antonee Robinson can attack aggressively from the left, which could force United's right-sided attacker into more defensive work. The risk is leaving space behind him for Mbeumo or another United forward to exploit.
Set pieces also deserve attention. Both sides have enough aerial strength to create problems, particularly through centre-backs such as Andersen, Bassey, Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro.
The match may ultimately depend on which team manages transitions better rather than which side finishes with more possession.
Key Players to Watch
Josh King
King has become increasingly important to Fulham's attacking structure because of his ability to receive between the lines and carry the ball forward.
His movement could be especially useful against a United midfield that has occasionally struggled to protect the space in front of its defence.
Alex Iwobi
Iwobi gives Fulham versatility and composure.
He can play centrally or from wider positions, and his ability to retain possession under pressure could help Fulham avoid becoming trapped in their own half when United press.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno remains the player most likely to determine the tempo of United's attacks.
He was named United's Player of the Month for August and continues to provide the passing range needed to create chances against compact defensive structures.
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo has made a promising attacking contribution since joining United.
His movement from the right gives Carrick a player who can attack the space behind Fulham's left side, while his finishing has already produced important goals, including one at Everton.
What the Numbers Tell Us
Manchester United have won seven of the last 10 competitive H2Hs.
Fulham have won one, while two finished level.
United have scored 16 goals and Fulham nine across those meetings.
Fulham have one point from four Premier League matches.
Manchester United have four points from four.
Both teams have conceded seven league goals.
Fulham kept a clean sheet at Liverpool last weekend, while United have lost their last two matches in all competitions.
The overall record still favours United, especially when the H2H is considered.
Current form makes the picture less comfortable. Fulham have just produced one of their strongest defensive performances of the season, while United enter after consecutive defeats and a damaging cup collapse.
Who Has the Statistical Edge?
Manchester United have a slight statistical advantage rather than a clear one.
The recent H2H remains the strongest argument in their favour. Seven victories from the last 10 meetings show that United have repeatedly found ways to beat Fulham, even when the games have been close.
They also have more league points and greater individual attacking depth.
Fulham's case comes from venue and momentum. Craven Cottage gives them home advantage, while the draw at Liverpool and cup victory at West Ham represent two encouraging performances before Sunday's game.
United's defensive uncertainty also creates opportunities for Arbeloa's side.
A draw is a realistic outcome. Two of the last four competitive meetings finished level, and neither team's current Premier League form justifies treating this as a straightforward fixture.
United hold the narrower statistical edge because of their H2H record and attacking quality, but the gap is considerably smaller than it would have been in previous seasons.
Conclusion
Fulham vs Manchester United brings together two teams that need better Premier League results but arrive with very different pressures.
Fulham have only one league point, yet their 0-0 draw at Liverpool showed that Arbeloa's team are capable of producing disciplined performances against stronger opposition. Tuesday's cup victory at West Ham should also improve confidence.
United's situation is more uncomfortable. The derby defeat to Manchester City was followed by a 3-2 collapse against Brighton after Carrick's side had established a two-goal lead.
Their individual attacking quality remains an important advantage, and the recent H2H strongly favours them. However, Fulham have made this fixture much closer in recent seasons and have enough technical quality to exploit United if the visitors lose control in midfield.
Manchester United therefore hold a slight statistical edge rather than a decisive one. Fulham's home advantage, improving defensive performance and United's recent instability make a draw a credible outcome at Craven Cottage.