Why is Raúl Jiménez not playing for Fulham in the Premier League this weekend?

Fulham were again without striker Raúl Jiménez for Saturday’s Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which The Cottagers won 2-1. The Mexican attacker missed a fourth successive match after before substituted at half-time in a 0-0 draw with Everton on 31 January because of a hamstring issue.

“When you have an issue in your hamstring, it is not a good sign,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva a couple of days after the game against The Toffees.

“When you play three games in seven days, intense games, there is always a risk. It has not been easy to rotate. If we were short (in numbers) before the game, we will be shorter now.”

Armando Broja comes in from Chelsea

Fulham have had their issues in the striker department but did clinch a late January window loan move for Chelsea forward Armando Broja. Fellow attacker Carlos Vinicius, meanwhile, joined Galatasaray on loan until the end of the season. The 28-year-old fell down the pecking order at the London club and only scored two goals in 13 league appearances.

When will Raúl Jiménez be back playing for Fulham?

On 5 February, it was reported that Jiménez would be out of action for a month because of his hamstring problem. No further updates have been issued, which suggests he is also in danger of missing Fulham’s next game at home to Brighton on 2 March.

The Cottagers then face a trip to Wolves on 9 March, by which time the former Club América man will hope to be back in action.

Jiménez made a slow start to life London after joining Fulham in July 2023. The Mexican failed to score in his first 12 appearances for his current club, but currently has five goals in 19 games this season after opening his account against Aston Villa on 12 November.