With just four points from their opening four games, the pressure is already mounting on Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick ahead of Sunday's trip to Craven Cottage to take on a Fulham side in the relegation zone.
The Red Devils lost 1-0 at home to rivals Manchester City at the weekend despite playing from the 23rd minute with an extra man following Phil Foden's red card, with that result equalling the club's worst start to a Premier League season since 1992-93.
Carrick knows his team needs to turn things around quickly, but United may find life difficult when facing Fulham, who will have been buoyed after taking their first point of the campaign in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.
While there is still work for the Cottagers to do, there were positives to take from that Merseyside effort and a more attack-minded approach is anticipated when they host United.
Fulham have lost both home matches in the EPL 3-2 against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, evidence that Alvaro Arbeloa's team is creating chances but is also making errors at the back.
A clean sheet against the Reds will have helped raise confidence levels in defense, and questions have to be asked about United's proficiency in the final third after failing to score against 10-man City.
You have to go back to 2009 for the last time Fulham beat United at Craven Cottage, but they did draw 1-1 in this fixture last season, and backing the hosts to win or draw looks like a solid betting option.
Fulham vs Manchester United prediction: Fulham win or tie double chance (-140) available at time of publishing. Playable to -150.
