Must-Win Showdown: Erik ten Hag's Manchester United on the Brink as They Face Fulham at Craven Cottage

In a high-stakes encounter, under-pressure Manchester United (Man United) manager Erik ten Hag will fight to save his job as his team visits Fulham at the iconic Craven Cottage for the Premier League's early Saturday kickoff, a match of paramount importance.

Currently languishing in eighth place on the Premier League table, Manchester United is in dire need of a positive result to relieve the mounting pressure on Ten Hag, who has faced significant criticism due to the team's recent poor form.

The Red Devils' form has been nothing short of disastrous, with back-to-back 3-0 defeats. First, a humbling loss to Manchester City in the derby, followed by a shambolic Carabao Cup performance at home against Newcastle.

However, there's a glimmer of hope in history for the trip to Craven Cottage. Manchester United boasts an impressive unbeaten streak against Fulham, spanning 17 games over almost 14 years.

On the other side, Fulham currently sits in 14th place in the Premier League standings and has struggled to find their rhythm this season. They secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Ipswich Town last week, and they'll be eager to replicate such success in this crucial fixture.

For Fulham, the prospect of ending their lengthy winless run against Manchester United couldn't have come at a more opportune moment.

Erik ten Hag will pin his hopes on Marcus Rashford rediscovering his top form, given the dedication and quality he consistently displays in training. Rashford enjoyed the best season of his career under Ten Hag's guidance, amassing an impressive 30 goals and 11 assists from 56 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking during his post-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag expressed his unwavering confidence in Rashford's resurgence, saying, "I see him performing so well in training that I believe he will soon be back on track. He will contribute significantly by scoring goals and playing a vital role for us. Once we find our rhythm as a team, it will also become easier for him."

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov predicts a challenging battle at Craven Cottage, expecting a 1-1 draw. Nonetheless, he underscores that Manchester United is in dire need of a victory, stating, "Man United has to win. They need points. Fulham also needs points, and even though they're not in dire straits, they could certainly perform better. With Manchester United's busy schedule, including midweek fixtures, I'll predict a draw, but the Red Devils still have to secure the win."

Injury concerns loom for Manchester United, with Casemiro sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury and Raphael Varane missing due to illness. Additionally, they continue to be without Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Jadon Sancho, and Luke Shaw.