THE LOWDOWN

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC is setting the tone for Fulham’s survival fight – and his teammates are following him.

That is the view of boss Claudio Ranieri, whose struggling side take on a resurgent Manchester United this lunchtime. Ranieri says Fulham need “soldiers” and there is no bigger fighter than the 16-goal Serbia striker (right).

His 10 goals account for 40 per cent of Fulham’s league total this season – the highest proportion by any single player.

Mitrovic also ended up in a scrap with former teammate Aboubakar Kamara during a yoga session, before the Frenchman was shipped out on loan.

But it is that kind of fight that Ranieri wants to see on the pitch, starting against United. “It’s contagious,” he said. “Together it’s easier. If you see the team, you don’t see a team that’s not involved in the relegation fight.

“We have lost matches not through lack of fight, but because the little details are against us.

“In the Premier League you need fighters and quality. Look at Manchester United when they lose the ball. Look at City when they lose the ball. Look at Liverpool when they lose the ball.

“They press together, for 90 minutes. They have quality, but they also have strength, resistance, everything.

“If we get a good result against United, the mood could be changed, but you have to see it in the next match, too.”