Manchester United v Fulham Odds: Red Devils 4/7 to get off to winning start

Here are the latest odds ahead of the Premier League fixture between Manchester United and Fulham on Friday night.

Manchester United v Fulham Odds

(Odds will display when markets are available)

The hosts had to wait until Monday night last season to get their campaign underway and were extremely fortunate to beat a Wolves side who, at the time, were well fancied for relegation.

This time they kick-off the Premier League season and manager Erik ten Hag will hope for a more convincing performance this time around, against a Fulham side without star midfielder Joao Palhinha.

While the Portuguese may not have been the best in possession, he was arguably the best defensive midfielder in the league last term. While Pedro Porro ranked second for tackles completed last season with 62, Palhinha was first with a ridiculous 103, and they're numbers Fulham won't be able to replace this time around.

They've also lost Tosin Adarabioyo on a free transfer, though have been bolstered by the return of Ryan Sessegnon after an underwhelming five years with Tottenham, and the 24-year-old will hope to recapture the form he showed at Craven Cottage that earned him a move to Spurs in the first place.

Emile Smith Rowe also joined and after two frustrating seasons hampered by injury, the club's record signing will be desperate to remind everyone what he's capable of.

Fulham's opponents, however, look much stronger on paper than last term. Their only notable departures have been back-up right-back Aaron Wan Bissaka, and the injury-riddled Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, both of whom have been replaced.

In Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount, United have two players available who missed the majority of last season, while Amad Diallo and Kobbio Mainoo, who also missed the start of the season with long-term injuries, both look ready for a full Premier League campaign, and then there are summer signings Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.

Diallo in particular has impressed in pre-season and was superb against Manchester City, being withdrawn before the hour. It's unclear who Ten Hag will pick in the first few weeks of the season, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Diallo, Jadon Sancho and Antony all vying for two spots on the wing.

Zirkzee was absent for the Community Shield, with Ten Hag opting to go without a striker against Manchester City, but the Dutchman could be in line to make his debut against the Cottagers and is favourite to open the scoring on Friday night.

All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

Liam Williams

• Manchester United F.C.
• Fulham F.C.
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