Manchester United XI vs Fulham: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Man United hopeful of key fitness boost for trip to London

Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of Luke Shaw ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash against Fulham.

Shaw picked up a knock in the 2-2 draw with Everton almost a fortnight ago and has subsequently missed the last three games across all competitions, with Man United losing two of those.

There was hope that the 31-year-old would be available for selection in the Carabao Cup tie at home to Brighton on Wednesday night following an injury update from Michael Carrick in the pre-match press conference.

However, Shaw sat out the 3-2 loss at Old Trafford and now it remains to be seen if he will return for the trip to Craven Cottage.

If Shaw is not passed fit, Patrick Dorgu is an option at left-back once again and the fact he was rested in midweek suggests he will get the nod there over Noussair Mazraoui.

The Morocco international is set to be one of three players in the back line that drops out of the team as Carrick restores the first-choice central defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes has bad memories of Fulham away. In the corresponding fixture last season that finished 1-1, he missed a first half penalty and bizarrely blamed referee, Chris Kavanagh, for not apologising to him.

That will not prevent the attacking midfielder from being restored to United’s midfield in west London and Kobbie Mainoo is expected to replace Andrey Santos after being partially rested against Brighton.

Benjamin Sesko did not quite grab the chance to establish himself as Man United’s go-to centre forward in the Carabao Cup tie, but Matheus Cunha’s struggles leading the line does leave Carrick with a selection headache.

It could be that the Brazilian moves back out to the left, meaning Sesko makes his first Premier League start of the season as Bryan Mbeumo completes the front three with Amad Diallo still sidelined.

Carlos Baleba is on course to make his Man Utd debut after the international break, while the Fulham game may come too soon for Matthijs de Ligt after nearly a whole year out of action with a back injury.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Injured: Baleba, Amad, Ugarte, Heaton

Doubts: Shaw, De Ligt