Carrick’s Fulham Selection Hinges on Fernandes and Shaw

LONDON — Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces a critical squad selection window before Sunday’s Premier League clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage as he attempts to steady a side searching for consistency.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. BST on Sunday, September 20, 2026. United travel to West London after a turbulent week that included a 2-2 league draw with Everton and a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in cup competition.

Since his appointment, Carrick has worked to integrate several high-profile additions into a reconstructed squad. Finding a consistent starting eleven has remained a challenge early in the 2026/27 campaign, leaving the manager searching for a settled formula.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes is expected to return after missing the midweek cup loss and immediately reclaim his starting spot in the central playmaker role. His last league outing at Craven Cottage ended in a 1-1 draw, during which he missed a crucial first-half penalty.

Kobbie Mainoo was rested against Brighton as part of an ongoing workload management program. His return to the double pivot will likely send Andrey Santos to the bench and restore United’s preferred partnership alongside Youri Tielemans.

Luke Shaw’s return to the traveling squad gives Carrick a significant selection boost. The England international has missed the last three matches in all competitions after picking up a knock during the draw against Everton, although Carrick has preached caution regarding Shaw’s immediate return to the starting lineup. His presence provides coverage for a backline that conceded three goals in midweek.

If Shaw is deemed unready to start, Danish fullback Patrick Dorgu is the primary candidate for the left-back slot. Dorgu was rested during the midweek cup tie, indicating that he was being prepared for a starting role in London. Noussair Mazraoui remains an alternative option, while current indicators point to Dorgu starting if Shaw is held back.

Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are projected to anchor central defense in front of Belgian goalkeeper Senny Lammens, with Diogo Dalot occupying the right-back role. Matthijs de Ligt has also been included in the matchday squad for the first time since November 2025 after a lengthy layoff caused by a persistent back injury.

De Ligt’s involvement is expected to be limited to a potential appearance off the bench, but his presence marks a major milestone in his recovery. Carlos Baleba has traveled with the squad and could make his competitive debut for United if called upon from the bench.

United will be without Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko, who did not travel because of an unspecified physical issue. Sesko’s absence follows a quiet performance in the defeat to Brighton and clears the way for Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha to lead the line.

Cunha is expected to combine with Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo on the wings against a compact Fulham defense managed by Marco Silva. Carrick will remain without winger Amad, midfielder Manuel Ugarte and veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who are sidelined with injuries.

**Manchester United Projected XI:**
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.

**Injured:** Amad, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton, Benjamin Sesko.
**Doubts:** Luke Shaw, Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt.