Man United defeat ‘special’, Silva says as Premier League returns

Fulham’s trip to Manchester United on the opening day of the Premier League season was “special”, Cottagers manager Marco Silva has said before his target successive home wins to start the campaign.

Silva’s side have beaten Leicester City 2-1, knocked Birmingham City out of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 away win and drawn at Ipswich Town since losing 1-0 at Old Trafford on August 16, when Joshua Zirkzee scored the 87th-minute winner.

“It was a game when we played toe-to-toe with them,” reflected the Portuguese. “It was a good performance and a good reaction from ourselves against Leicester.

“It was clear we were the best team against Leicester and we won. Against Ipswich, it was a tough game, like we expected. Performance-wise, it was not the best from us. Even so, we got one point.”

💬 “West Ham have quality in all positions.

“You can see straight away that Julen (Lopetegui) is trying to get them to play a different way.

“It will be a tough game, the first London derby of the season.” pic.twitter.com/tXuXLSB9xn

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 13, 2024

Fulham vs West Ham team news

Carlos Vinicius could miss the visit of West Ham on Saturday (3pm BST) with a “small” injury, although Silva is satisfied with how the international break went for Fulham.

“We worked well during that period – of course, not with all of the squad,” he said. “We used the time well to work with the players. Some days were breaks, too.

“Now the West Ham game is on our minds. Carlos Vinicius is out… all the other players are going to be available.”

Vinicius has featured once for his club this year, appearing for 17 minutes of their FA Cup third-round tie at home to Rotherham United in January.

💬 On Reiss Nelson:

“We were looking for a wide player and we are really happy to have him with us.

“We can see straight away that he is a skilful player.” pic.twitter.com/P4uwms7hLA

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 13, 2024

The 29-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Galatasaray, producing one goal and one assist in 10 Super Lig matches.

The forward’s most recent Fulham goal came in their 5-0 Premier League victory at home to West Ham in December.

Fulham signings to start?

New signings Joachim Andersen, Reiss Nelson, Jorge Cuenca and Sander Berge are all in contention. “We’ll take the time that [Nelson] needs to adapt but we can feel straight away that he’s a skilful player and he’s going to help us,” Silva said.

West Ham have one win from three matches, losing at home to Aston Villa and Manchester City either side of a 2-0 triumph at Crystal Palace.

Emile x Reiss. ❤️‍🔥

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 12, 2024

“We have to always be at our top level,” warned Silva. “If not, you are going to get surprised and we don’t want that. It’s going to be our first London derby this season.

“It’s always something special for the fans and we want to start well. It’s going to be at the Cottage and we know that we are really strong with the fans behind us.”