Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has warned Manchester United the Cottagers will be approaching this afternoon's clash like a cup final in a bid to set a new Premier League points record for the club.
United host the London side at Old Trafford as the top flight season comes to a conclusion. Erik ten Hag has overseen a return to the Champions League in his first campaign in charge of the club and silverware in the form of the Carabao Cup.
United are third as things stand and know that if they match Newcastle United's result against Chelsea, they will end the season only behind Manchester City and Arsenal in the table. The Reds are two points clear of the Magpies heading into this afternoon's action but with an inferior goal difference.
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The Cottagers, meanwhile are guaranteed a top half finish and will end the campaign 10th regardless of what happens this afternoon. After the yo-yo recent nature of the club's fortunes between the top flight and the Championship in recent seasons, Marco Silva's side have long confirmed survival in the Premier League.
Palhinha told Fulham's club website: “We will face this game like a final, because we all want to break the record for the Club, try to be the first Fulham team to catch these points. We missed the opportunity last match, we drew, but now we face another opportunity, and the last opportunity, with the same ambition.
“It's a motivation, because no-one got these kind of points that we are close to achieving. This shows the quality that we have, what we’re capable of. The club was in the Championship last season, and after one year in the Premier, to be doing what we are doing is really, really, really good.
“It’s really important, and we need to think on this because we have a lot of value, and I think we have to give a good answer in the next match against United. We will try to win and achieve this record.”
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