Matheus Cunha will replace Patrick Dorgu in the Manchester United starting lineup when they host Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Manchester United will aim to continue the excellent start to life under Michael Carrick when they welcome Fulham to Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. Michael Carrick has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Patrick Dorgu is the latest absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury that will keep him in the treatment room until March. The Danish international accompanies Matthijs de Ligt in the treatment room, with the Dutch defender recovering from a lower back injury.
However, Joshua Zirkzee should be fit and available to take on Fulham this weekend after shrugging off a minor issue. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Carrick provided fitness updates on Zirkzee and de Ligt.
The Manchester United head coach said, “Yeah, Josh is back training this week, which is good news. Obviously, first time…so he’s been out for a short amount of time, but first kind of training with us since we’ve been here, so that’s great to have Josh back.”
“Josh has just been trying to work and get fit around the group. He trained yesterday for the first time and that’s as far as it goes with me and Josh. I’m looking forward to working with him and nothing more needs to be said.”
Meanwhile, during his presser, Carrick also provided a fitness update on Dorgu. The Manchester United boss said, “Pat, unfortunately, he’s going to be out for a period of time. We’ll have to see, [it’s] disappointing, he’s had such a big couple of weeks, Pat. We weren’t sure whether it was a little bit of cramp or whether it was something a little bit more serious and at the moment it looks a little bit more on the serious note.”
“So, it’ll be a few weeks for that. How many weeks? We’ll have to wait and see. So, that’s disappointing for all of us really, and for Pat, he’s in such a good place, but unfortunately it is part of football and it’s something we’ve got to work through and get him back as soon as we can.”
Senne Lammens is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Fulham on Sunday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Luke Shaw.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro in the double pivot, with Bruno Fernandes reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Bryan Mbeumo will lead the line for the home side against Fulham this weekend, with Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha completing a fluid offensive trifecta.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
