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Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford as they aim to make a third FA Cup final in a row.
There have been 93 matches between the two sides in history, with United coming out on top 58 times.
Fulham have been the victors on 15 occasions and there have been 20 draws.
Here are three plotlines to savour before the FA Cup matchup.
United have been on fire against Fulham
The Cottagers currently sit above United in the league table but the Red Devils have won both games against them 1-0 this season.
According to the BBC, “Manchester United have lost just one of their last 21 meetings with Fulham in all competitions, winning 17 and drawing three.”
The only recent defeat actually came at Old Trafford last season in a 1-2 loss at Old Trafford in February 2024.
What’s more, “United have progressed from their last nine FA Cup ties against Fulham since a 2-1 quarter-final defeat in 1908”.
United won a quarter final tie with the Cottagers 3-1 in 2023 and also beat the Londoners 4-1 in 2013 at the fourth round stage.
The Red Devils’ special connection with cup
Obviously United have done well in the cup since they won last year’s edition and reached in the final in 2023.
In fact, their fine record is especially true in the fifth round of the world’s oldest competition.
“Manchester United have progressed from each of their last 14 FA Cup fifth round ties, since losing 1-0 to Liverpool in 2005-06.”
“Indeed, the Red Devils have reached the quarter-final of the competition in nine of the last 10 campaigns.”
With only the cup and Europa League to play for this season, United fans will be desperate this trend continues.
Bruno Fernandes has been the catalyst of cup form
The Portuguese captain has really come into his own lately and scored a wonderful free kick last weekend at Everton that sparked a comeback draw.
He also played a major role in all three of United’s goals in the 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
Fernandes has also had a massive influence on United’s cup success.
The captain “has been involved in 11 goals in his last 11 appearances in the FA Cup, scoring seven and assisting four. He’s only failed to register a goal or an assist in two of these 11 games.”
This includes a goal against Arsenal in the third round and an assist for Harry Maguire’s late headed winner in the fourth round versus Leicester City.
There is no question that if United are to make it into the draw for the quarter-finals, he will certainly play a key role.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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