No surprise to see that our opening home game of the season against Manchester United is sold out. 27,500 will be packed inside the Cottage generating a fantastic atmosphere as we go hunting a third straight home win over the Reds.

As to poster Mike's wish for a ticket as posted below under my story on Season Tickets at Fulham : "i am going for ful v man game any chance of a ticket and how much pounds will it cost ? thank you." I hope Mike is not making a long trip in vain. An over the odds offer through the touts will now be your only way of getting in.

However, I trust our expanding international Fulham suppporters club are aware the game is a live Sky pick this coming Sunday at 4 pm so a global audience will be tuned in to see Fulham test themselves against United's team of all stars. Last December's 3-0 win left United reeling and we no longer go into these home games with the Red Devils suffering any inferiority complex. It also possibly instilled the confidence we took into the Europe League knock out rounds when we started in on the bigger sides like Shaktar, Juve and the Germans.

I do fear this game comes a bit too early in Hughes Fulham career, with the new boss still to put his stamp on the side. Same weekend last year at home to Chelsea we simply didn't turn up. I'm sure you'll all have plenty to say about our next game in prospect anyway.

My apologies to all US buddies wanting to know why Hughes is not making Dempsey an automatic starter. Bizarrely, Hughes did not respond to my call asking for an explanaton on how he picks the team...