Ten Hag desperate to go into World Cup break with a win

Erik ten Hag says the impending World Cup cannot be a distraction and underlined the need for Manchester United's players to do everything in their power to beat energetic Fulham.

Sunday's trip to Craven Cottage is the final Premier League fixture before the season is paused for six weeks and attention turns to the quest for glory in Qatar.

United enter the final weekend before the break fifth in the standings and looking to cap a promising start to life under summer appointment Ten Hag by defeating surprise package Fulham.

The Red Devils lost their last Premier League outing 3-1 at Aston Villa but bounced back to beat the same opponents 4-2 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

"I think the players are all aware of the importance of the game against Fulham. I will not take the World Cup in regard," United boss Ten Hag said.

"We play the best team - until Sunday, it is the interest of Manchester United and only the interest of Manchester United.

"That is going to be a really tough game (this weekend). I think in the Premier League everything is very close, and what I have seen from Fulham so far is really energetic.

"They also play really decent football out from the back - I remember the game against Liverpool at the start of the season - so you have to be really good there to get a result.

"We have to do everything in our power to get the right result - that is what we're preparing now."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Antony will be assessed ahead of the trip to the capital after illness and injury respectively.

Jadon Sancho has also been absent recently through illness and Raphael Varane is not expected to be involved due to a thigh injury that has not been severe enough to rule him out of France's World Cup squad.

The