Manchester United travel to Craven Cottage needing all three points to avoid an awful start to the season.
Who should start up front vs Fulham?
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Manchester United face Fulham in their final game before the first international break of the season, with the West London side still waiting for their first three points of the campaign.
Michael Carrick's side are also in desperate need of a win, given their embarrassing loss against Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup.
The Red Devils have only picked up four points from four Premier League games, despite playing against two newly promoted sides and a 10-man Manchester City.
Pressure is seemingly already mounting on Carrick, despite his impressive stint in charge of his former side after replacing Rúben Amorim last season.
Fans have picked up on some of his mistakes in this campaign, and one could cost him dearly against Fulham.
Michael Carrick's biggest weakness
Last season, Manchester United only played one game a week (for the most part), meaning Carrick did not have to make mass changes for each match. But with Champions League football this term, rotation will be a key part of his plans.
Changing starting lineups is one thing, but making substitutions to change a game, rest a player, or even to recover from injury is a whole new ball game.
Against Hull City, Marcus Rashford replaced a struggling Patrick Dorgu at half-time, but the next subs did not come until the 67th minute, despite trailing 2-0 at the break. At the Hill Dickinson, Carrick's first changes came after 70 minutes and appeared to weaken the side, rather than improve it. Benjamin Šeško came on after 67 minutes against Manchester City (with Haaland scoring on the hour mark), and three changes were made after 66 minutes against Brighton.
The substitutions need to be made earlier. If something isn't working, change it and change it quickly. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.
How can Carrick change against Fulham?
First off, start the game on the front foot. Attack from the off and show that you want to with your team selection.
A start for Shea Lacey would not only help the team in the final third, but also excite the travelling fans before kick-off, given he was one of the few bright sparks against Brighton. Dorgu at left-back would also help.
Secondly, make changes earlier. Winning or not, Carrick must be willing to make substitutions at half-time, or at least before the hour mark. Even in a good performance, there are tactical tweaks which can be made.
And, based on this season, not everything will go according to plan, so Carrick needs to show he can change things throughout a game – personnel and tactics.