Michael Carrick will have to replace Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu as he selects his Manchester United starting XI to face Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Carrick will be keen to keep spirits high as Manchester United welcome Fulham to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The former England midfielder has enjoyed an excellent start to his spell as United head coach. An impressive 2-0 derby win over Manchester City was followed by a thrilling 3-2 victory against league leaders Arsenal, a result few had predicted.
Heading into the weekend’s matches, United had worked their way into the top four, sitting one point ahead of Chelsea in fifth and two clear of sixth-placed Liverpool.
Fulham, though, will provide a tough challenge. Marco Silva’s side have been in solid form, losing just one of their last five outings while picking up three wins and a draw, including a 2-1 win over Chelsea and a 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
Carrick forced into changes vs Fulham
Following the two brilliant wins against City and Arsenal, which were unchanged sides from Carrick, the United boss will be forced into at least one change due to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s hamstring injury.
Senne Lammens will remain in goal, having lost just two Premier League ties since his debut in October, and will likely be joined by Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez ahead of him as the centre-backs.
Luke Shaw has played more Premier League minutes than any other United player this season, and is expected to continue at right-back. However, with United likely to have more possession against Fulham than in their other two recent games, Noussair Mazraoui could replace Diogo Dalot at right-back.
As for midfield, both Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo have been working perfectly in tandem, with both players covering for each other brilliantly in the middle of the park.
Bruno Fernandes, who has two assists in his last two games, is expected to feature in front of the pivot and captain the side.
The only forced change will be the replacement for Dorgu on the left wing following his hamstring injury. The most likely player to come into the starting XI is Matheus Cunha, although he may not start on the left.
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Bryan Mbeumo has been United’s starting striker under Carrick, but could be shifted to the left flank, as he tends to be better at holding width compared to Cunha. The Brazilian would then start through the middle, with Amad on the right.
This would allow Benjamin Šeško to have a greater impact from the bench and provide a major alternative.
United predicted XI vs Fulham
Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Mbeumo, Cunha.
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