Fulham vs. Manchester United: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and Schedule

Manchester United was at the top of the Premier League on Sunday until rivals Manchester City defeated Arsenal 1-0. The Red Devils will look to keep pace with the leaders when they travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.

United has won their last three league games, including a 2-0 win on Saturday against QPR. They are currently two points behind City for first place in the league.

Fulham is in 11th with 18 points and begin a difficult four-match stretch that includes Saturday's game against United, then they play matches against Chelsea, Norwich City and Arsenal.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this exciting Premier League matchup.

Where: Craven Cottage, London, England

Watch: Fox Soccer

When: Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Player to watch for Manchester United: Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney started the league season off in great goal-scoring form, but his form had dipped a bit until Saturday, when he opened the scoring against QPR with a goal in the first minute.

Rooney is a world-class forward who can change games with his attacking talent, and for Manchester United to beat Fulham with ease, Rooney will have to play well.

Without any top defenders on Fulham, expect Rooney to have a fantastic game and find the back of the net at least once.

Rooney remains tied for second in the league in goals scores this season with 11.

Player to watch for Fulham: Clint Dempsey

The American midfielder is tied for the club lead in league goals with five and has taken the most shots (65) this season.

Dempsey is an attacking midfielder who has the ability to score on his own and create good goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

If Fulham wants to have any chance to beat Manchester United on Wednesday, Dempsey will have to play well and ignite the attack.

Key Matchup: Battle of the midfields

The Manchester United midfield hasn't played great this season, and you could make the case it was the reason the cub bowed out of the Champions League before the knockout stages.

Fulham and Clint Dempsey will look to win the midfield and own the middle third of the pitch on Wednesday, and if they do they will have a good chance to upset the Red Devils.

Sir Alex Ferguson must make his team realize that playing well in the midfield will be a key to them taking all three points at keeping pace with City at the top of the league table.

What They're Saying

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson talked about his team's performance against QPR, via Sky Sports:

I thought it was a good performance but I thought we were wasteful with the chances we had in the match. We should have really had the game won by the 30 minute mark but their goalkeeper (Radek Cerny) had two fantastic saves, obviously we missed a couple of really good chances. But all in all, it was a very good performance.

Prediction: United win 2-1

Manchester United is playing well right now, and if Rooney can get going then watch out, because he is capable of dominating a match by himself.

He appears to be coming back into form, and against a Fulham team that is void of any elite defenders, Rooney will find the score sheet on Wednesday.

Fulham just don't have any match winners, and the Red Devils will win a close but well-earned three points this week to keep pace with Manchester City atop the league table.