Michael Carrick has dropped his update on Matthijs de Ligt and the rest of the Manchester United first-team squad ahead of the Fulham match at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
The 44-year-old Manchester United legend held his pre-match press conference for the Fulham encounter on Friday afternoon at the Carrington training complex.
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Michael Carrick has already received a major boost in the start of his interim head coach reign after United picked up stunning back-to-back Premier League wins.
The ex-Middlesbrough head coach engineered United’s sensational 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford before the Red Devils beat Arsenal last weekend.
Arsenal hosted Man Utd at the Emirates last Sunday evening and the Red Devils came from 1-0 down to seal a stunning 3-2 victory over the Premier League leaders.
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Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick speaks during an interview at the Carrington training complex in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Man Utd interim boss Michael Carrick reacts to Matthijs de Ligt ahead of Fulham’s Premier League visit to Old Trafford
Speaking to the press, Michael Carrick confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt remains a long-term injury absentee for the Red Devils ahead of the Fulham match.
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Joining De Ligt on the injury list is none other than the in-form Patrick Dorgu, who limped off with a hamstring problem during United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal.
However, Man Utd interim head coach Carrick revealed that Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee has returned to training after overcoming a muscular problem.
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“Josh is back training,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“He has been out for a short amount of time. Pat, unfortunately, is going to be out for a period of time.
“Disappointing because he has had a good couple of weeks, it is looking serious. A few weeks out, we will have to see.
“It is part of football. De Ligt is not training with us.”
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The top-four Premier League picture is blown wide open for Man Utd by Michael Carrick
Carrick’s men climbed into the top four of the Premier League table after Man Utd’s sensational results against title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal.
United are fourth in the Premier League and the Red Devils are eight points adrift from third-place Aston Villa and second-place Man City ahead of the Fulham tie.
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Patrick Dorgu celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
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However, Carrick’s side only hold a point advantage over fifth-place Chelsea in the Premier League table and a result against Fulham would be massive for United.
Marco Silva’s men are seventh in the Premier League table and have lost only once in their last five matches, with Fulham serving as another key test for Carrick.
United and Fulham’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford is slated for a 2pm kick-off time on Sunday afternoon in the UK.
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