David de Gea and Lisandro Martinez will return, but Cristiano Ronaldo might miss out when Manchester United and Fulham face off at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Manchester United will hope to return to winning ways in the Premier League and head into the World Cup break on a high when they lock horns with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday. And Erik ten Hag has a few pressing concerns ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains doubtful due to the illness that forced him to miss the Carabao Cup clash with Aston Villa earlier this week. In addition, ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Jadon Sancho (illness) and Antony (knock). Diogo Dalot is a confirmed absentee due to a suspension.
Raphael Varane remains unavailable but will likely feature for France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe are the other absentees for Manchester United. Meanwhile, ten Hag spoke about Ronaldo in his pre-match press conference. The Manchester United manager also insisted he will field his strongest lineup against Fulham.
“I think the players are all aware of the importance of the game against Fulham. I will not take the World Cup in regard. We play the best team – until Sunday, it is the interest of Manchester United and only the interest of Manchester United.”
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“I can’t guarantee that [Cristiano will be available] now, but today he was ill. He can recover from that, it’s not really a serious illness that takes days or weeks, so I think it’s possible that he is available for Sunday and he will be in the squad.”
With Ronaldo likely missing out, Anthony Martial will start a second successive game. Alejandro Garnacho was excellent off the bench against Aston Villa and has done enough to earn a starting berth. Garnacho will join Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in the offensive unit.
As for the midfield unit, Scott McTominay and Fred should drop to the bench against Fulham. Casemiro and Christian Eriksen will reunite in the double pivot, hoping to keep former Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira quiet.
Lisandro Martinez will return to the starting lineup, pairing up with Victor Lindelof at the heart of the defence. Meanwhile, Tyrell Malacia might feature as a makeshift right-back in Dalot’s absence. So Luke Shaw picks himself on the left flank, with David de Gea being a certain starter between the sticks.
Predicted Manchester United XI: de Gea; Malacia, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Martial