Manchester United vs. Fulham: Red Devils Must Win Big over Cottagers

Manchester United have the English Premier League title in their sights.

After spending months behind cross-town rivals Manchester City in the race for league glory, the Red Devils have finally pulled in front with the finish line in sight.

They've now won five in a row and haven't been defeated in their last nine matches, whilst the Citizens have dropped five valuable points in their last three encounters.

A big win at home over Clint Dempsey and the Cottagers would therefore go a long way to securing the title for United—their 20th top flight title in the club's rich history.

If the Red Devils can showcase their home form that's seen them average nearly 2.8 goals per game and a clean sheet in half of their matches, they will well and truly send the message to City that they are the side to beat.

For Manchester United, their healthy lineup and attacking depth will be too much for Fulham, who have only won twice away from home all season, averaging just 0.57 goals per game. In fact, the Cottagers haven't scored at Old Trafford since 2006—an own goal scored by United's Rio Ferdinand.

If Fulham are to stand any chance, Dempsey will surely be the man to deliver. His 12 goals and four assists have come from an impressive 114 shots on goal this season, but against the firepower of United's midfield, he too will be simply outplayed.

The Cottagers midfield was simply overran by Swansea last week; imagine what United could do it.

Perhaps the 5-0 drubbing back in December wasn't so extraordinary after all.

Fulham may have only conceded 18 goals to date on the road, but that number looks set to increase with the likes of Wayne Rooney out to delight the home fans with attacking superiority and sheer class.

Rooney's scintillating form of late has seen him take his total to 20 league goals this year; scoring 10 goals in his last eight matches and five in his last four against the Cottagers at Old Trafford.

United simply are too strong and too powerful for a side like Fulham this late in the season, and they will prove so with an impressive victory at Old Trafford.

Fulham manager Martin Jol has never beaten Manchester United in the Premier League, and that fact doesn't look like changing any time soon.

Especially when United already have one hand on the trophy.

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