TC: Play To Win

Tom Cairney is looking forward to Fulham having the eyes of the world on us when we kick-off the new Premier League season on Friday night.

The Whites travel to Old Trafford for the 2024/25 curtain raiser, and our Club Captain is relishing the pressure that comes with it.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “Opening game of the Premier League, everyone tunes into the opening game in the Premier League.

“No matter who it is, I think everyone’s missed football throughout the summer. Even though we had the Euros, I feel like everyone’s missing club football.

“The Premier League’s back, and it’s us against Man U at Old Trafford, so it’s a huge game and I’m sure the fans are just as excited as the players.”

Alex Iwobi’s dramatic late winner away to United in February was a highlight of last season, and when asked how much inspiration Fulham can take from that result, TC replied: “A lot.

“To be honest, we’ve had very close games against Man U within the last couple of seasons, obviously one well documented one in the FA Cup for various reasons, but the ones in the Premier League we’ve lost by a last minute goal at home twice.

“We obviously beat them away, the one at the end of the season a couple of years ago was tight as well. They’ve been very enjoyable games and good for the neutrals – maybe why they’ve put it on telly!”

United finished eighth in the table last term but did claim some silverware with a memorable victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup Final, and Cairney knows the calibre of test that awaits his side on Friday evening.

“I suppose for the quality in the squad you could argue they’ve been a little bit hit and miss,” he stated. “It was amazing for them to win the trophy at the end of last season.

“If they’re on, if they’re firing on all cylinders, it’s a tough, tough night for us. They’ve got quality throughout the squad, Champions League winners, but Marco will definitely gear us up to go there and try and win. It’s the way he is, so it should be a good game.”