With bitter rivals Manchester City not playing until Sunday, neighbours United could be 10 points clear at the top of the table by Saturday night.
That is a daunting gap for Roberto Mancini's men to reel in. In spite of what happened last season, not many will predict United being caught again in similar style, especially with the title-winning form they are in at the moment. Additionally, the dramatic style in which they lost out on the Premier League gives them a steely psychological edge.
The only hope for the defending champions is that United start dropping unexpected points - and if Fulham get anything from this match, it would probably fall into that category.
Was Fulham's midweek win against West Ham, only their third in the past 16 league games, a turning point? It needs to be. The Cottagers' home form won't give them a great deal of confidence, and of course they were crushed 4-1 by United in the FA Cup fourth round recently. On paper, the Red Devils have little to worry about - especially with their former mercurial striker Dimitar Berbatov unlikely to play.
Fulham recruited a few interesting names in the transfer window, Urby Emmanuelson and Emmanuel Frimpong among them. What better way for new players to make an immediate impact than against United.
Still, Fulham look a little bit threadbare when compared to United's strength in depth. The leaders have got the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling coming back to the fore now, and such a massive choice of permutations all over the park. They really do seem to have every position covered.
The same could be said in the goalkeeping area, but United supporters would prefer it if that was one area they never had to rotate. David De Gea has been rocky of late, and will do well to hold off the challenge of Anders Lindegaard for the rest of this season.
Despite all the United eulogising, Southampton proved in midweek that - if you are brave enough - you can really get at them. Fulham take note.
Head-to-head
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Manchester United have won six and drawn one of their past seven matches against Fulham in all competitions.
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Fulham have only beaten Manchester United three times in 23 Premier League meetings
Fulham
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Fulham have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 10 league matches.
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The midweek win against West Ham was only their third in their last 16 Premier League games
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Dimitar Berbatov scored his eighth Premier League goal of the season against West Ham, but only his third in 13 games. Six of these goals have come before half-time.
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Damien Duff now has seven assists this season (only three players in the Premier League have more). The last time the Irishman had more assists in a Premier League season was at Chelsea in 2003-04 (nine).
Man Utd
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United have now came from behind to win on nine occasions in the Premier League this season. The most in a Premier League season is 10, by Newcastle in 2001-02.
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Wayne Rooney has now scored two goals in a match on 27 occasions in the Premier League - only Alan Shearer (46) and Thierry Henry (34) have more.
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The Red Devils have taken 32 points from the last possible 36 (W10, D2).
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The Red Devils have taken 32 points from the last possible 36 (W10, D2).