3 months ago
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Nigeria’s Fulham duo Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey will hope to start their 2024/25 English Premier League campaign with a win against Manchester United in the season’s opener at Old Trafford on Friday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Both players were on target the last time the two sides squared off, and they will be looking to replicate the feat.
Last season, the Red Devils suffered six home defeats in 19 league matches, including a loss against Fulham, whom they had previously lost to just three times in 33 Premier League meetings.
Iwobi’s 97th-minute winner at the Old Trafford in February handed the Cottagers their first win at the Theatre of Dreams.
Fulham had been beaten in 24 of those encounters before winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in February, and they are now aiming to post consecutive away victories against the rejuvenated Erik ten Hag’s team for the first time.
Fulham will be buoyed by the fact three of their last four league meetings with Manchester United have been won by the away side, each courtesy of a late winner, and Marco Silva is unbeaten in nine opening-day matches, so precedent points towards a positive result today.
While United have been busy recruiting players, the Cottagers are still rebuilding following the summer exits of Tosin Adarabioyo, Joao Palhinha, and long-serving defender Tim Ream.
Bassey is expected to start in defence alongside Issa Diop, with new signing Jorge Cuenca needing some time to acclimatise.
Iwobi will likely play in attack alongside Andreas Pereira, Rodrigo Muniz, and new signing Emile Smith Rowe.
Speaking ahead of the match scheduled to start at 20:00, the former Arsenal player hoped he could assist his teammate to get the result against the Devils.
“If I can’t score at least, I’m able to create chances for my teammates, and Smith Rowe and Adama Traore are going to put those chances away. It’s not just them—there are so many goal threats in this team,” Iwobi said on the club’s website.
“I played with Emile in the past; I know what kind of runs and qualities he can bring to the team. I’ve made him feel welcome—he’s scored two in two now—hopefully, he can make it three in three against United.”Marco Silva’s side ended the 2023/24 season in 13th place and will hope to start the new campaign on a high. Ajax boss praises Akpom’s work ethics
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