Manchester United's Big Changes Ahead of Fulham Clash

Manchester United head to Craven Cottage on Sunday with the mood turning sour and the margin for error shrinking fast.

Back-to-back blows – a derby defeat to Manchester City and an EFL Cup exit at Brighton & Hove Albion – have left Michael Carrick under early scrutiny. Four league games have brought just one win. United sit 13th in the Premier League table. That’s not a blip. That’s a problem.

Carrick knows it. The response starts with selection.

Carrick rips it up after cup collapse

The midweek performance at Brighton has forced his hand. The expectation inside the club is clear: this will not be a gentle tweak. It will be a reset.

First-choice names are set to return, and several of Wednesday’s starters are likely to step aside. The spine of the team, from goalkeeper through midfield to the attacking line, is in line for a major overhaul as Carrick leans back on his trusted core.

Defence reshaped, Shaw back in the frame

Luke Shaw, who missed the defeats to Brighton and Manchester City with a minor muscular issue, is poised to reclaim his place at left-back. That would push Noussair Mazraoui out of the XI and restore some balance on that flank.

In goal, Senne Lammens is expected to come in, with a rebuilt central pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez ahead of him. Diogo Dalot should keep his spot at right-back, one of the few survivors from the cup loss.

Matthijs de Ligt remains on the outside looking in. The defender is back in individual training after back surgery, but he has not yet rejoined full sessions and will not feature here.

Midfield power shift

The pressure in the middle of the pitch has been growing, and this is where Carrick is likely to send a clear message.

Kobbie Mainoo is in line to step in for Andrey Santos, adding energy and control alongside Youri Tielemans at the base of midfield. With United chasing rhythm and authority, Mainoo’s inclusion would signal a move towards more bite and composure in possession.

Carlos Baleba, still sidelined with an ankle problem, remains unavailable, as do longer-term absentees Manuel Ugarte (knee), Tom Heaton and Amad Diallo. Diallo has yet to play this season after an ankle injury in pre-season and will have to wait longer for his chance.

Big calls in attack – and a chance for Sesko

Up front, the decisions are just as ruthless. Marcus Rashford’s place is under threat.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to his familiar role as the creative heartbeat, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo offering support in the attacking line. That trio would sit behind Benjamin Sesko, who is pushing for his first Premier League start of the season.

Sesko’s inclusion would give United a different focal point – height, movement, and a penalty-box presence they have badly lacked in recent outings. If Carrick is going to change the story of this season, trusting the Slovenian from the start might be one of the bolder strokes.

Predicted Manchester United XI

Carrick is tipped to line up in a 4-2-3-1:

Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha; Benjamin Sesko.

Kick-off and TV details

Fulham vs Manchester United kicks off at 16:30 on Sunday, 20 September 2026.

The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event.

A bruised United arrive in west London with questions piling up and patience thinning. Carrick has made his choices. Now his reshaped side has to show whether this is just a slow start – or the shape of a season drifting off course.