Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is likely to make a few changes to the starting XI for his team’s clash against Fulham this weekend.
Manchester United will be itching to get back to winning ways, when they take on bottom side Fulham in gameweek 16 of the 2018-19 Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Having failed to pick up a victory in four successive games now, the Red Devils find themselves eight points adrift of the top four and are under pressure to turn things around at the earliest.
Manager Jose Mourinho has a number of injury concerns heading into the encounter this weekend and with a packed schedule coming up, he is likely to indulge in some rotation against Claudio Ranieri’s side. David de Gea is a certainty to feature from the kick off between the sticks on Saturday, but there could be a few changes in defence.
Ashley Young is back in contention after missing out the last game due to suspension and should start at right-back, ahead of Diogo Dalot. Luke Shaw is also expected to be back into the playing XI, after not being involved in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal due to a minor injury issue.
Mourinho has a bit of a selection dilemma when it comes to his centre-backs, with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones carrying niggles, while Victor Lindelof continues to remain sidelined.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Portuguese said, [We are] still waiting for conclusions, still waiting for people like Martial, Smalling, Jones – people with these kind of doubts.
“Of course, Lindelof and Alexis, we don’t even speak about them, but we need answers and for sure we are going to play with players not at the maximum of their potential, but players that will make themselves available like Smalling and Jones did. Players with some difficulty will make one step forward to try to help the team.”
Eric Bailly is expected to feature from the start after putting a fine shift against Arsenal during the week, with Smalling the most likely to partner him at the back, ahead of Jones and Marcos Rojo.
Nemanja Matic continues to be an ever-present at the base of the midfield for Manchester United and that is unlikely to change when Fulham come visiting. Ander Herrera should also keep hold of his spot after an energy-packed performance during the midweek.
Club record signing Paul Pogba was omitted from the starting XI last time out, but in all likelihood, should return to the team for the clash against the bottom-feeders.
Anthony Martial is another major injury concern for the Red Devils, after he came off with a hamstring issue against Arsenal. He is unlikely to be risked by the Manchester United manager heading into the important festive period, meaning Marcus Rashford is set to start out on the left flank against the Cottagers.
With the United No. 10 moving out wide, Romelu Lukaku should return to the side to spearhead the attack, while Jesse Lingard is expected to continue out on the right-hand side, after returning to goalscoring ways against the Gunners.