Squad sheets: Manchester United v Fulham

Defeat at Everton must be instantly answered by a win for Manchester United over Fulham, who warmed up for this visit to Old Trafford with a 5-0 defeat of Norwich City. Robin van Persie should be given his first start and the attacking pattern of United intrigues most: how Sir Alex Ferguson harnesses Shinji Kagawa, Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck will offer a first clue regarding the Scot's approach to reclaiming the title from Manchester City. October 2003 was the last time Fulham defeated United before their home crowd. Jamie Jackson Venue Old Trafford, Saturday 3pm Tickets Sold out Last season Man Utd 1 Fulham 0 Referee Kevin Friend This season's matches 1 Y 6, R 1, 7.00 cards per game Odds Man Utd 2-7 Fulham 9-1 Draw 4-1 Manchester United Subs from Lindegaard, Giggs, Berbatov, Hernández, Nani, Welbeck, Anderson, Powell, Macheda, Bébé, Young, Buttner Doubtful None Injured Evans (ankle, 2 Sep), Ferdinand (calf, 2 Sep), Jones (back, 15 Sep), Smalling (metatarsal, Oct) Suspended None Form guide L Disciplinary record Y2 R0 Leading scorer n/a Fulham Subs from Etheridge, Somogyi, Stockdale, Baird, Kelly, Briggs, Grygera, Kacaniklic, Halliche, Kasami, Bangna, Rodallega, Trotta Doubtful Grygera (knee) Injured Frei (pelvis, 2 Sep), Senderos (foot, 2 Sep), Davies (neck, 15 Sep) Suspended None Unavailable Dempsey (unsettled) Form guide W Disciplinary record Y0 R0 Leading scorer Petric 2 Match pointers • United won the title in two of the past three seasons in which they lost their opening game (1992-93 and 1995-96) • Fulham have lost on their past eight top-flight visits to Old Trafford, failing to score in the last five • United have conceded seven goals in their last 12 league matches – five of them coming in two games against Everton • Fulham had more shots on target (nine) than any other side in this season's opening round of matches • Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his past three league games against Fulham