Manchester United's Crucial Match Against Fulham: Carrick's Key Changes
Manchester United head to Craven Cottage on Sunday carrying bruises and questions after a brutal four-day spell that has already shaped the tone of their season.
A humbling Manchester derby defeat, followed by an EFL Cup exit to Brighton & Hove Albion, has left Michael Carrick under early scrutiny. His team have just one win from their opening four Premier League fixtures and sit 13th in the table. That is not a position anyone at Old Trafford is prepared to accept for long.
So this trip to Fulham is not just another away day. It feels like a checkpoint.
Carrick rings the changes
Carrick is expected to rip up the midweek blueprint and restore his core starters. The cup side collapsed; the response has to be sharper, stronger, more recognisable.
At the back, there is finally some good news. Luke Shaw, who sat out the defeats to Brighton and Manchester City with a minor muscular problem, is in line to return at left-back. His presence should push Noussair Mazraoui out of the XI, with Diogo Dalot keeping his place on the right.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are set to be reunited in central defence, while Senne Lammens is expected to come back in as the starting goalkeeper. The spine that Carrick trusts is returning just when he needs it most.
The injury list still bites. Carlos Baleba remains out with an ankle problem, joining longer-term absentees Manuel Ugarte (knee), Tom Heaton and Amad Diallo. Diallo has yet to play this season after suffering an ankle injury in pre-season. Matthijs de Ligt is edging closer, back in individual training after back surgery, but he has not yet rejoined full sessions and will not be rushed.
Midfield reset, attack under scrutiny
In midfield, Kobbie Mainoo is expected to step back into the starting side and should displace Andrey Santos. The youngster’s control and composure on the ball have quickly made him central to Carrick’s plans. Youri Tielemans is set to partner him in the double pivot, tasked with knitting United’s play together and giving the front four a platform.
Further forward, the attacking mix is under the microscope. Marcus Rashford’s place is at risk after a subdued start to the campaign. Carrick is weighing up a reshuffle that could see Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo operate behind a central striker.
That striker is likely to be Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian is eyeing his first Premier League start of the season, and this feels like the moment to unleash him. United need a focal point, a finisher, and a spark. Sesko has the tools to be all three; now he needs the stage.
Predicted Manchester United XI
Carrick is expected to line his side up in a 4-2-3-1, with a far more familiar look than the one that stumbled in the cup:
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
It is a team built to control the ball, press higher, and carry more threat between the lines. It is also a team with little excuse if the performance again falls short.
Kick-off and TV details
Fulham vs Manchester United kicks off at 16:30 on Sunday, 20 September 2026, in the Premier League.
The match will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event.
United arrive in west London wounded, but not broken. Craven Cottage has seen its share of statement performances down the years. The question now is simple: will this be the afternoon Carrick’s side finally start their season, or another step into a deeper problem?
