Newcastle are spread thin but dreaming big, Ten Hag is under fire and West Ham face their bogey team
What would it mean if Manchester United grind out another of those fluky wins when they visit Fulham on Saturday? They have barely put together a single convincing performance this season. There was a decent win over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup but their other victories have been unconvincing. There is no clear game plan, no philosophy, and that catches up with United in tougher games. Erik ten Hag, who is under increasing pressure after two consecutive 3-0 home defeats, must bear some of the responsibility. It is easy to dig out individuals. The defence is confused, Casemiro is ageing, Bruno Fernandes and Antony are petulant and Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford look lost. But if the manager is unable to implement a structure then players are not going to thrive. It makes it harder for the team to develop. If United are outplayed by Fulham but steal a win because they have superior firepower it would not suggest a corner has been turned. They do not need resilience, they need a performance. Jacob Steinberg
Fulham v Manchester United (Saturday, 12.30pm, all times GMT)
Brentford v West Ham (Saturday, 3pm)
Burnley v Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)
Everton v Brighton (Saturday, 3pm)
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