Manchester United will be bidding to bounce back to winning ways in the Premier League when they travel to Craven Cottage to play Fulham.
The Red Devils responded brilliantly to their 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend, beating the same opposition 4-2 in the Carabao Cup third round at Old Trafford on Thursday. This saw them qualify for the fourth round of the EFL Cup where they will play hosts to Burnley post the resumption of club football.
It was the kind of reaction Erik ten Hag would have wanted from his boys ahead of their trip to Fulham, as Man United aim to enter the World Cup break on a high note.
Manchester United Team News
Manchester United will be without the services of Diogo Dalot at Craven Cottage as the right-back serves a one-game ban, having picked up five yellow cards.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent in the 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the cup competition due to illness, which makes him doubtful for the trip to Fulham, along with Antony and Jadon Sancho, who have missed the last few games with a hip problem and illness, respectively.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Fulham (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea was rested in the midweek cup tie with Aston Villa as Martin Dubravka made his first Manchester United start of the season in goal. The Spaniard is set to return in between the sticks against Fulham, though.
Defence
Erik ten Hag is set to go with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, with Harry Maguire partnering Lisandro Martinez in central defence in the Man United lineup. While the duo will not have to deal with the immense physical presence of Mitrovic, the task will not be taken lightly by either of them with the Cottagers having enough attacking potency about them.
The United boss faces the big headache of replacing the suspended Diogo Dalot in defence. With two competent left-backs at his disposal in Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, Ten Hag could switch Malacia to the right with Shaw patrolling the defence from the left-back position in the Man United lineup.
In Victor Lindelof, Ten Hag will have a reliable defensive option on the bench who can fill in at right-back if required.
Midfield
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen came off the bench to help Man United win against Villa in the EFL Cup, but the duo is expected to start in central midfield at Craven Cottage.
Bruno Fernandes returned from suspension in midweek and starred against Villa with a goal and assist, staking his claim for a start in his preferred no.10 role in the Man United lineup.
Donny Van de Beek will drop to the bench after back-to-back sub-par displays against Unai Emery’s side.
Attack
Even if Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho recover from illness, Ten Hag is set to stick with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in the Man United attack. Martial, who netted against Villa in midweek, will lead the line with Rashford offering pace and flair from the left flank.
Alejandro Garnacho provided two assists in the cup tie on Wednesday to stake a claim for a start at Fulham, but Ten Hag could go with Anthony Elanga on the right in the Man United lineup.