Manchester United vs Fulham LIVE: FA Cup team news and line-ups as Alejandro Garnacho starts on bench
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Manchester United take on Fulham in the fifth round of the FA Cup today, with Ruben Amorim’s side desperate to progress as they look to salvage a disappointing season.
A win over Ipswich took United to a still-dire to 14th in the league, but the club are holding hope of taking something from this season ahead of this match and a Europa League last-16 tie with Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile, Fulham are a surprise package in the hunt for European football this season, with Marco Silva’s men currently in ninth but just five points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
The Cottagers have never won a major trophy and came closest as losing finalists in 1975, but they’ll be hopeful of advancing with some of the country’s biggest sides already out of the competition.
Follow all the latest build-up and updates from Old Trafford here:
Fulham vs FA Cup holders
This is the fourth time Fulham are facing the holders of the FA Cup in the competition, being eliminated on each of the previous three occasions (4-5 v Newcastle in 1955-56, 1-2 v West Brom in 1968-69 and 0-4 v Man City in 2019-20).
Mike Jones2 March 2025 16:15
Can United salvage season?
While United are languishing in 14th in the league, the FA Cup holders harbour hope of salvaging the 24/25 season with progress in this competition and the Europa League.
Though a place in the quarter-finals of this competition would be valuable in itself, the club will likely be targeting the Europa League considering that winning that competition would award them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Ruben Amorim’s side face Real Sociedad in the last 16 of the Europa League, with clubs including Spurs and Athletic Bilbao as their main rivals for the trophy.
Interestingly, Spurs are current favourites to win the Europa League, though the English sides cannot meet each other until the final.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 16:10
Fulham in unlikely Champions League chase?
Fulham have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season, and they currently sit in ninth in the table, but just five points behind Manchester City in fourth.
While the top five may be a reach for Silva’s side, they are certainly in the hunt for European football next season.
The Cottagers have a difficult end to the season ahead though, facing both of the top two as well as direct European rivals in Brighton, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Villa.
European football could well come to the final day, when they face Manchester City at home.
Qualification to the Europa League would mark a return to a competition that has provided some of their most famous nights, such as when they romped to a 4-1 home win (and 5-4 aggregate victory) over Juventus in the semi-finals of what was then the Uefa Cup in 2009/10.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 16:05
Head-to-head
These two sides have met a total of 63 times in the past, with United winning 43, Fulham winning eight and 12 ending as draws.
United won both meetings 1-0 in the league this season, though Fulham managed to grab a late 2-1 win in the league this time last year.
The Cottagers have lost the last three FA Cup matches 3-1, 4-1 and 4-0 respectively.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 16:00
Amorim on Garnacho being benched
The Man Utd boss said: “Garnacho had an issue last game so we are using Eriksen because he is fit.
“We have Garnacho on the bench if we need him because it is a game that decides if we go into the next stage. We are going to try to use the characteristics of Chris which is quite different from Garnacho.
“The substitution (last game) was clear, he paid for the dinner and he’s ready to go. He’s working really well so I hope he continues to have an impact if we need it in the game.”
Mike Jones2 March 2025 15:56
‘Man Utd have been happy with the FA Cup draw’
“Manchester United may have been happy with the FA Cup draw.
“Fulham are one of the few teams they have beaten twice this season – along with Southampton, perhaps inevitably, and Leicester, who they beat twice in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s caretaker stint alone.
“Yet both were close games and required a late winner. Fulham have only won one of their last 21 against United. They may feel they are due a success today.
“It wouldn’t help if, as happened two years ago in the FA Cup, they get three red cards at Old Trafford.”
Richard Jolly at Old Trafford2 March 2025 15:55
Matthijs de Ligt claims Man Utd ready for ‘most important phase of season’
Matthijs de Ligt is ready to fight for trophies as Manchester United enter the “most important phase” of their season to forget.
The Red Devils have tasted their fair share of lows in the 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out as a champion, but this campaign has been the nadir for a club dealing with issues on and off the field.
De Ligt did not expect to be scrapping in the bottom half when he joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, but the defender believes Ruben Amorim’s side can still end the season on a high.
Chris Wilson2 March 2025 15:50
Amorim make two changes
Ruben Amorim has put Alejandro Garnacho on the bench for today’s meeting with Fulham.
The line-up is similar to the one used against Ipswich last time out but Patrick Dorgu is suspended and is replaced with Noussair Mazraoui.
Christian Eriksen is called on in place of Garnacho.
Mike Jones2 March 2025 15:48
