Manchester United's Squad Options Ahead of Fulham Clash
Manchester United travel to Fulham without Benjamin Sesko, but Michael Carrick’s squad has not arrived in London empty-handed.
The striker was a notable absentee as United boarded the train at Stockport on Saturday, casting serious doubt over his involvement at Craven Cottage. For a side already under pressure after a damaging week, losing a focal point in attack is far from ideal.
Yet the mood around the travelling group wasn’t entirely bleak. Carlos Baleba, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt all made the journey south, handing Carrick a timely triple boost ahead of a game United can scarcely afford to get wrong.
Sesko missing, but options reshaped
Sesko’s omission from the travelling party was confirmed as United set off for the capital, raising the prospect of Carrick again leaning into a striker-less system. He has not been afraid to use a fluid front line before, and the absence of a traditional No 9 may nudge him back towards that approach.
The stakes are clear. United head to Craven Cottage on the back of a bruising defeat in the Manchester derby and a Carabao Cup third-round exit to Brighton. They need a response, and quickly.
Shaw and Baleba race the clock
Carrick had already hinted that Shaw and Baleba were fighting to be involved this weekend. Asked about their fitness, he said: “There's kind of a chance with both of them. Don't know totally 100 per cent yet. It's short-term [with Shaw], we're just working toward the game.”
Shaw’s return would be significant, restoring balance on the left and experience to a back line that has been shuffled too often. Baleba, meanwhile, is edging closer to a proper introduction rather than a comeback.
“We're looking good. Everyone's up and running,” Carrick said as he assessed his squad. “Over the last week or so, pretty much everyone has played and [been] fit and we're trying to get Carlos back in.
“Well, I say back in, actually introducing him into the group. So he's done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we'll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend.”
Baleba “bouncing around the place”
For Baleba, the wait to truly start his United career has been frustrating, but Carrick likes what he has seen.
“Yeah, he's desperate to get started. He's bouncing around the place,” the United boss said. “It's not always easy, I think, when you come into a new club and you're not right fully in with the group, with the training.
“But he's dealt with that ever so well, I have to say. He's got great personality and he's full of enthusiasm around [the place] and pushing to get back as quickly as possible. So it's great to have him back.”
That energy could be crucial in a midfield that will again lean heavily on Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and the returning options around them.
Who made the trip?
United’s confirmed travelling squad for the Fulham clash underlines the depth Carrick can still call upon, even without Sesko.
- Goalkeepers: Lammens, Darlow, Mee.
- Defenders: Maguire, De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Heaven, Martinez, Dalot.
- Midfielders: Fernandes, Tielemans, Mount, Mainoo, Santos, Baleba.
- Attackers: Lacey, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Cunha.
There is experience, there is youth, and there is just enough versatility to reshape the attack in Sesko’s absence.
Now comes the only question that matters: after a week of setbacks, can this patched-together but talented group deliver the kind of result that steadies United’s season rather than sends it spinning further off course?
