Carrick’s Reds Seek Reset Against Fulham After Defeats

Carrick’s Reds head south in search of a reset. Two straight defeats at Old Trafford have darkened the mood, and the manner of them has stung.

First came the storm against Manchester City, settled by an Erling Haaland strike that, in the eyes of many inside the ground, should never have stood. Then, under the midweek lights, Brighton & Hove Albion marched into M16 and dumped them out of the Carabao Cup. For a side already battling questions after a flat start to the season, it was a brutal one-two.

Now it’s Fulham away, and a chance to sign off on a more defiant note before the next break in the calendar.

Memories of late drama

The last league meeting between these clubs at Old Trafford back in February still crackles in the memory. A wild, swinging contest seemed to have been thrown away, then rescued in the most dramatic fashion.

Casemiro and Matheus Cunha had put the Reds two up and apparently in cruise control. That illusion vanished quickly. Raul Jimenez struck, Kevin followed, and suddenly the visitors were level, Old Trafford restless, the game slipping away.

Then came Benjamin Šeško.

Deep into stoppage time, the forward seized the moment, smashing in a winner that tore the noise from the stands and turned a looming inquest into a celebration. It was the kind of goal that can define a month. Right now, Carrick would happily settle for anything that simply restarts the engine.

Craven Cottage revisited

The Reds’ most recent trip to Craven Cottage came at the very start of the 2025/26 league campaign. It was a cagey, slightly ragged affair, the kind of early-season game where legs are heavy and ideas not yet sharp.

Leny Yoro thought he had grabbed the opener, his header causing chaos in the six-yard box. It ultimately went down as an own goal against Rodrigo Muniz, but the away end did not care about the fine print. The lead did not last. Emile Smith Rowe stepped up for Marco Silva’s side, levelling to secure a point and leaving the visitors frustrated that they had not made more of their control.

Much has changed in west London since then.

Alvaro Arbeloa is now in the Fulham dugout, the former Liverpool full-back stepping in after his stint as head coach at Real Madrid. His start has been harsh: three straight league defeats to open his tenure. Yet there was a flicker of resistance last week, as he returned to Anfield and organised a disciplined 0-0 draw that earned respect and a badly needed foothold.

Fulham’s mood has been helped by their Carabao Cup run. Wins over AFC Wimbledon and West Ham United have carried them into the fourth round and given Arbeloa some early evidence that his methods are starting to land.

Team news: key defenders in the frame

For Carrick, the story of the week has been injuries and returns.

At the back, there is cautious optimism. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez could both be available to step in at the heart of the defence, a welcome boost after recent reshuffles. Luke Shaw, who has missed the last three games, has also travelled and may be fit enough to feature, offering balance and experience on the left.

Higher up the pitch, there was at least one bright spark in the midweek cup exit. Shea Lacey marked his first senior start with a goal against Brighton, a sharp finish on a night when the result overshadowed individual milestones. Mason Mount, making his first start of the season, also found the net, a reminder of the attacking punch he can provide when fully up to speed.

The longer-term absentees remain a concern. Matthijs de Ligt, Carlos Baleba, Manuel Ugarte and Amad have all been sidelined for the opening stretch of the campaign. Carrick, though, has delivered a more upbeat bulletin on de Ligt and Baleba, and both have been included in the travelling squad to London. De Ligt, in particular, could be in line for a debut if the manager decides the time is right.

One notable omission is Benjamin Šeško. The match-winner from that breathless February clash at Old Trafford has not travelled with the group, removing one of the side’s most dramatic weapons from the bench.

So the stage is set: a team bruised by back-to-back home defeats, an opponent slowly stirring under a new coach, and a ground that has never been shy of drama. For Carrick’s Reds, this isn’t just another away day. It’s a test of nerve, of depth, and of how quickly a season’s story can be rewritten.