Manchester United and interim head coach Michael Carrick are flying high right now. Back to back wins against the two best teams in the country, and two of United's biggest rivals, have lifted spirits around Old Trafford. Now, United need to build on their good form.
The game against Fulham is almost more of a test than United's last game against top of the table side Arsenal. United have, even in their worst moments, found a way to perform against the top teams. As bad as United were last season, they managed a victory away at Man City. The same goes for United's win at Anfield earlier this season.
United will be tested against Fulham in an entirely different way. United won't be able to cede possession to Fulham quite like Arsenal or City, they will need to control the game better. Well set-up teams often form a stumbling block for United, as the team struggle to break down well-coached and dogged teams.
Fulham are quietly enjoying a very productive season. They currently sit in 7th place in the table, having lost a slew of players to AFCON over the Christmas period. Marco Silva leads a well-coached and productive team, which are more than capable of getting a result against United, even in the form United are in and even at Old Trafford.
United will need to be at their very best to beat Fulham
United will need to field as strong a line-up as they can muster. Michael Carrick will have to play without one of their most in-form players in Patrick Dorgu, as well as Matthijs de Ligt, who remains absent with an injury. United will be boosted by the return of young starlet Shea Lacey, but will likely leave him on the bench and favour experience.
This game is crucial for United's morale going forward. Old Trafford has seen so many false dawns in the past, where a result has boosted the mood of everyone at Old Trafford, only for that happiness to be brought back down to Earth with another desperate and toothless performance.
Carrick needs to field his best possible players, and more importantly, put his faith in consistency. Players like Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are always going to give their best and deliver when United need them. But there is one other who must start against Fulham to give United their best chance of keeping their run of form intact, and that is defensive midfielder Casemiro.
Casemiro has quietly become United's most consistent and trustworthy performer this season. He has no doubt been aided by United's uncongested fixture list: no European football means no midweek fixtures, meaning the 33-year-old can have extended rest between games and operate at his highest level.
Casemiro has also performed exceptionally in the two games Michael Carrick has managed so far. He has formed an excellent midfield partnership with Kobbie Mainoo, operating both as a crucial piece of United's attack, recycling play along with Mainoo and getting the ball to United's creative outlets, and as a crucial piece of the defence, breaking up attacks before they become a threat.
Casemiro's consistency is what makes him such a valuable player this season. With an effective partner and the necessary amount of rest and recovery time, the Brazilian becomes one of the most reliable players in the league, leaning on his experience.
United need to lean on their most experienced players in tough times. Casemiro is ready to depart the club at the end of the season, but he can still give so much to the club before he leaves this summer.