Carrick set to recall stars as Man Utd name strong side for Fulham trip

Manchester United travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, with Michael Carrick expected to make multiple changes from the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton. The Red Devils are languishing in the bottom half with four points from four games.

  • Fixture: Fulham vs Manchester United, Premier League
  • Venue: Craven Cottage
  • Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
  • Man Utd form: Four points from four league games; lost to Man City, knocked out of Carabao Cup by Brighton in midweek
  • Fulham form: Yet to win in the league under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa
  • Key changes: Carrick expected to recall several stars after midweek rotation

Confirmed line-ups

No official line-ups have been confirmed yet. Below is the expected Manchester United XI based on the source's predicted line-up.

Manchester United (4-3-3)

Starting XI: Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Noussair Mazraoui; Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes; Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, Joshua Zirkzee

Selection notes

Michael Carrick is expected to recall all of his stars after making changes in midweek. Senne Lammens returns in goal ahead of Karl Darlow. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez form the centre-back pairing, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui at full-back. Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu drop to the bench.

In midfield, Youri Tielemans continues as the deep-lying playmaker, with Kobbie Mainoo alongside him. Bruno Fernandes operates as the creative midfielder, meaning Andrey Santos and Mason Mount are substitutes. Up front, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo flank Benjamin Sesko, with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee available from the bench.

Injury and availability

  • Matthijs de Ligt: Sidelined due to a fitness problem
  • Amad Diallo: Sidelined due to a fitness problem
  • Manuel Ugarte: Sidelined due to a fitness problem
  • Carlos Baleba: Joined with an ankle problem from Brighton this summer, edging closer to full fitness; could be named in the matchday squad
  • Luke Shaw: Out due to a minor problem in recent days, in doubt for this game

Why Carrick will trust his big names at Craven Cottage

Michael Carrick is under pressure. Four points from four league games, a defeat to newly promoted Hull City on the opening day, a loss to Manchester City, and a Carabao Cup exit to Brighton in midweek have left Manchester United in the bottom half. The trip to Fulham is a must-win for a manager trying to steady the ship.

Carrick's expected line-up reflects that urgency. Bringing back Senne Lammens in goal ahead of Karl Darlow suggests he wants his first-choice goalkeeper for a league game. The centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez offers experience and physicality, while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui provide width from full-back. Dropping Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu to the bench is a clear signal that Carrick is prioritising immediate results over development.

In midfield, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo will look to control the tempo, with Bruno Fernandes given licence to create. The front three of Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo offers pace and directness. Fulham, still without a league win under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, will be organised but vulnerable. Carrick needs his stars to deliver.

Talking points

  • Should Carrick persist with Senne Lammens over Karl Darlow, or does the goalkeeper position need more competition after a poor start?
  • Is Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez the right centre-back pairing for a fast Fulham attack, or should Leny Yoro start?
  • With Carlos Baleba edging closer to fitness, does he walk straight into the midfield when available, and at whose expense?
  • Is Benjamin Sesko the right lone striker, or would Marcus Rashford offer more threat through the middle?

What happens next

Manchester United face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. A win would ease the pressure on Michael Carrick and lift United up the table. A defeat would leave them in the bottom half and intensify scrutiny ahead of the next round of fixtures. Fulham, meanwhile, are searching for their first league win under Alvaro Arbeloa.

Frequently asked questions

Is Senne Lammens starting for Man Utd vs Fulham?

Yes, according to the predicted line-up, Senne Lammens is set to start in goal ahead of Karl Darlow.

Who is injured for Man Utd vs Fulham?

Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo and Manuel Ugarte are sidelined with fitness problems. Luke Shaw is a doubt with a minor issue, while Carlos Baleba is edging closer to fitness and could make the squad.

What is Man Utd's predicted line-up vs Fulham?

The expected XI is Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Mazraoui; Tielemans, Mainoo, Bruno; Cunha, Sesko, Mbeumo.

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