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 Y6, R1, 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