The furore surrounding Erling Haaland's winner in last Sunday's Manchester derby provided a convenient distraction for United.
However, there was nowhere to hide on Wednesday when the Red Devils squandered a two-goal lead to lose to Brighton in the EFL Cup.
Michael Carrick maintains "it's not a catastrophe or a disaster" and that it would be "ridiculous" to doubt his future at the club after only being appointed as the permanent United head coach in May.
Three bad results in a week would accentuate any doubts over his future heading into the international break and United might be facing Fulham at the wrong time.
Still winless in the Premier League, the Cottagers tallied 10 shots in last Saturday's 0-0 at Liverpool, before beating West Ham 3-2 in the EFL Cup.
Fulham v Manchester United Tips Summary
Best Bet - Fulham or Draw - Double Chance @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - Gonzalo Garcia anytime goalscorer @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Over 2 Goals, Both teams to score - Yes, Bruno Fernandes 2+ shots on target & Bernd Leno 3+ saves @ 9/1
Fulham v Manchester United Prediction
Best Bet: Fulham or Draw - Double Chance @ 4/5
United's inconsistency makes them tough to trust and their record is stark.
After four Premier League games, they have lost 2-0 to Hull and 1-0 to City, rode their luck to come from behind to beat Ipswich 5-2 and conceded late to draw 2-2 at Everton.
A 4-0 UEFA Champions League win over Sabah FC restored some faith, but the defeat to Brighton was the first time a United side have lost at home after taking a 2-0 lead since 1976.
They have to improve, but the Cottagers are starting to click under Alvaro Arbeloa and have the pace on the break to trouble a Red Devils defence and midfield that struggles in transition.
The pair drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage last August and Fulham are again tipped to take something from this fixture.
Alternative Bet: Gonzalo Garcia anytime goalscorer @ 15/8
Gonzalo Garcia came off the bench for the final 22 minutes against West Ham and, despite Rodrigo Muniz's goal at the London Stadium, the 22-year-old is expected to regain his starting role on Sunday.
The Spaniard's two goals for Fulham, against Chelsea in the league and AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, have boith come at home.
Garcia is an all-action striker who can trouble United's disjointed backline and add to his goal tally.
Fulham v Manchester United Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Both teams to score - Yes
Bruno Fernandes 2+ shots on target
Bernd Leno 3+ saves
Pays 9/1
Fulham's two home Premier League games, against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, have both ended in 3-2 defeats.
Considering United's last away match was 2-2 at Everton, both teams to score and over two goals seem like sensible early inclusions in this Bet Builder.
If United are struggling, Bruno Fernandes will lead their response. After three shots on target against Ipswich, he could have two here in a bid to rescue his team.
That would keep Bernd Leno busy. The goalkeeper has made three saves in three of Fulham's four Premier League matches and the German could record a similar number on Sunday.
Key Match Stats
Fulham have only one point after four league games (D1, L3) but beat West Ham 3-2 in the EFL Cup
United have four points but have lost twice to nil and conceded in both of their other games
Both of Fulham's two home league fixtures have been 3-2 defeats
Gonzalo Garcia's two Fulham goals have both been scored at home
Bruno Fernandes has found the target with five of his 16 shots this season
Bernd Leno has recorded numbers of 3-3-2-3 saves from Fulham's four Premier League matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
