When Manchester United faces Fulham in today's Premier League clash, the stakes are high. United's interim manager Michael Carrick is aiming to secure a third consecutive league victory, following impressive wins against both Manchester City and Arsenal.
As the match approaches, it's important to acknowledge that while Carrick has made an excellent start to his temporary role, Fulham presents a unique set of challenges at Old Trafford. This matchup could provide further insights into the improvements that Manchester United has been striving for.
Currently sitting seventh in the Premier League, Fulham boasts one of the league's most talented forwards, Harry Wilson, who has been in exceptional form. On the injury front, there is some news to consider: Joshua Zirkzee has returned to training this week, but Matthijs de Ligt remains unavailable due to his ongoing recovery. Additionally, Patrick Dorgu will miss out after suffering a hamstring injury, although the exact duration of his absence is still uncertain.
So, how should Manchester United line up against Fulham?
Tyrone Marshall's Take
In light of the injuries, at least one change in United's lineup seems necessary, and I would advocate for a couple of adjustments. Carrick's challenge lies in keeping his players fit and motivated, especially with such a limited number of fixtures ahead.
Fortunately, the defensive lineup appears solid. The combination of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw has shown great balance, and goalkeeper Lammens has performed admirably in recent matches.
In midfield, I would stick with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo, who have developed effective chemistry and possess the tactical ability to dismantle Fulham's defenses. Bruno Fernandes should reclaim his spot in the No. 10 role, where he can wield his influence effectively.
With Dorgu sidelined, I would opt to introduce Matheus Cunha into the starting lineup and also give Benjamin Sesko a chance to shine. It’s crucial for Sesko to regain his confidence, and with Bryan Mbeumo performing well on the right flank, it makes sense to see Amad take a seat on the bench this time. While it might seem harsh, it underscores the depth of talent that Carrick can draw upon in the attacking department.
Steven Railston's Perspective
Given that Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, and Shaw have been outstanding over the last two weeks, I wouldn’t make any alterations to the defense or midfield.
Had Dorgu been fit, I would have undoubtedly included him in the starting XI. Cunha has proven to be a valuable asset coming off the bench, and his skills may align well with the challenges posed by Fulham. However, it’s unfortunate we won’t know if Dorgu could have maintained his recent good form. Nonetheless, Cunha is a capable replacement worthy of inclusion.
Although I hesitated about resting Amad, the limited number of games available means Sesko deserves a shot at starting.
Jack Flintham's View
With United currently enjoying a good run, the beauty of their form largely dictates that the team selects itself. If Dorgu had been available, it would have been hard to argue against the same starting lineup.
In light of Dorgu’s injury, welcoming last weekend's hero Cunha back into the starting XI seems logical. The Brazilian has been phenomenal off the bench lately and can certainly make a case for more frequent starts while Dorgu recovers.
Mainoo has thrived since Carrick's arrival, and his partnership with Casemiro continues to bear fruit. As for Sesko, he might need to bide his time before getting a start. Mbeumo has emerged as a formidable presence at center-forward, making any changes to that position difficult to justify at this point.
