Man United XI vs Fulham: Shaw Returns, Sesko Out, Baleba Debut Chance

Manchester United's trip to Fulham: Luke Shaw returns but Benjamin Sesko misses out

Manchester United visit Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, September 20, 2026, kick-off 4.30pm BST. Michael Carrick could welcome back Luke Shaw, Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt, but Benjamin Sesko will not feature for the Red Devils.

Fixture: Fulham vs Manchester United — Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage, London
Kick-off: Sunday, September 20, 2026, 4.30pm BST
Returning: Luke Shaw back in squad; Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt in contention
Out: Benjamin Sesko not involved; Amad, Ugarte and Heaton injured
At stake: United seek stability after an unsettled start

Confirmed line-ups

Manchester United have not confirmed their starting XI. The predicted line-up is below.

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

Predicted Starting XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha

Substitutes: Not confirmed

Fulham

Starting XI: Not confirmed

Substitutes: Not confirmed

Selection notes

Luke Shaw is back in the travelling squad after missing the last three matches in all competitions with a knock picked up in the 2-2 draw with Everton. He was absent again for the 3-2 home defeat to Brighton. If Shaw is not ready to start, Patrick Dorgu is the practical alternative at left-back after being rested in midweek. Noussair Mazraoui remains another option.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to the midfield setup. Kobbie Mainoo should also be restored after being managed against Brighton, with Andrey Santos likely to make way. Benjamin Sesko will not be involved; there is still no firm word on the nature of his problem or how long he may be out. Matheus Cunha is set to lead the line again.

Carlos Baleba travelled with the squad and could make a first appearance. Matthijs de Ligt is back in the frame after a long absence with a back injury, his first involvement since November last year.

Injury and availability

Injured: Amad, Ugarte, Heaton, Sesko
Doubts: Shaw, Baleba, De Ligt

Michael Carrick's squad remains unsettled from one game to the next. The return of three senior players is a boost, but caution surrounds their minutes. De Ligt's long lay-off means even limited time would count as progress. Baleba's inclusion is a fresh option in midfield, while Shaw's fitness will dictate whether Dorgu or Mazraoui fills in.

Why Carrick may hold Shaw back and what it means for United

Carrick has not closed the door on Luke Shaw featuring, but caution is the obvious theme. Three matches out in all competitions means Shaw is unlikely to be thrown straight in from the start. That makes Patrick Dorgu the logical pick at left-back, especially after being rested in midweek — a signal of the manager's thinking. Noussair Mazraoui offers another route, but the signs point towards Dorgu if Shaw falls short.

In midfield, the return of Bruno Fernandes is non-negotiable. His last league visit to Fulham brought a 1-1 draw, a missed first-half penalty and one of those moments that linger for the wrong reasons, but that will not affect selection now. He comes straight back in because United still depend on him for control, tempo and chances. Kobbie Mainoo should partner him, with Andrey Santos making way in a standard squad rotation rather than a tactical rethink.

Up front, Benjamin Sesko's absence leaves Matheus Cunha as the obvious focal point. Sesko did little in the cup defeat to Brighton to make himself undroppable, and with no firm news on his problem, Cunha's hold-up play and movement become even more important. The potential introductions of Carlos Baleba and Matthijs de Ligt from the bench would add physicality and control late on.

Talking points

Should Carrick start Luke Shaw or play it safe with Patrick Dorgu? Shaw's quality is clear, but three games out and a knock picked up against Everton make a bench role more likely.
Bruno Fernandes returning is a given, but does Kobbie Mainoo's reinstatement mean Andrey Santos is now firmly a squad player rather than a starter?
With Benjamin Sesko out and no firm timeline, is Matheus Cunha really the long-term answer up front, or does United need a different profile?
Matthijs de Ligt's first involvement since November is a step forward, but can he stay fit enough to matter over a full season?

What happens next

United face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 4.30pm BST. Carrick must decide whether Shaw, Baleba and De Ligt are ready for minutes, while the absence of Sesko leaves Cunha leading the line. A result in London would steady a squad still searching for consistency after an unsettled start to the campaign.

Frequently asked questions

Is Luke Shaw starting for Manchester United vs Fulham?

Shaw is back in the travelling squad after missing the last three matches, but Michael Carrick has not closed the door on him featuring. Caution remains the obvious theme, so a start is not guaranteed.

Why is Benjamin Sesko missing for Manchester United vs Fulham?

Sesko will not be involved. There is still no firm word on the nature of the problem or how long he may be out, and he did little in the cup defeat to Brighton to make himself undroppable.

Who is in Manchester United's predicted XI vs Fulham?

The predicted United XI is Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha. Injured: Amad, Ugarte, Heaton, Sesko. Doubts: Shaw, Baleba, De Ligt.