Michael Carrick needs to make changes to his Manchester United team after back-to-back defeats to Man City and Brighton.
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Carabao Cup Third Round
Shea Lacey impressed for Manchester United against Brighton (Image: Getty)
Manchester United's final match before the three-week international break feels like a must-win as they travel to Fulham. The Red Devils head to Craven Cottage on the back of back-to-back home defeats to Manchester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. United were booed off in their midweek Carabao Cup exit after leading 2-0 but losing 3-2 at Old Trafford.
United have had a tough start to the season across all competitions, having won only against Ipswich Town and Sabah FK, and taken just four points from four Premier League matches. With this extended international break, Michael Carrick cannot afford his team to be the hot topic, given they do not play again until October 10 against Tottenham. A victory would be a helpful reset before the United squad split up to go and represent their countries.
United have been really bad in back-to-back games, especially in attack. Benjamin Sesko was poor against Brighton, and perhaps it's time to revert to the pre-season experiment that offered promise: Bryan Mbeumo through the middle.
That, of course, leaves a gap on the right wing, especially with Amad Diallo out injured. Step up Shea Lacey. The teenager took his goal well in midweek and offers the kind of youthful enthusiasm this team desperately needs right now.
I'd go with Marcus Rashford over Matheus Cunha down the left. In defence, Luke Shaw has to start over the struggling Patrick Dorgu if deemed fit enough.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both out of form on the right but up against the likes of Alex Iwobi, Josh King and Shea Charles, United need to hope Mazraoui can provide some stability. Harry Maguire returns in the centre of defence.
Luke Shaw has missed United's last few games with a minor injury but there is a strong possibility he will be ready to face Fulham. If he is fit, he must start. Ayden Heaven has struggled to impress this season, so Leny Yoro is preferred alongside Harry Maguire at centre-back.
Kobbie Mainoo returns in midfield alongside Youri Tielemans, while the front four essentially picks itself. Benjamin Sesko was poor against Brighton in midweek and should be replaced in the line-up by Matheus Cunha.
Marcus Rashford was one of United's better players and will continue on the left, with Bruno Fernandes through the middle and Bryan Mbeumo on the right. Shea Lacey will earn a spot on the bench after his goalscoring display against Brighton and could be introduced in the second half to run at tired legs.
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha
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Manchester United v Ipswich Town - Premier League 2026/27
Luke Shaw could return to the Manchester United team against Fulham (Image: Getty)
Where to begin after that horrific defeat to Brighton?
Well, a back four capable of progressing the ball would be a start? Welcome Lisandro Martinez. Michael Carrick will be praying that Luke Shaw is fit enough to play the majority of this game.
Kobbie Mainoo comes back in for Youri Tielemans to provide some bite away from home. Shea Lacey was the only player to emerge from the Carabao Cup catastrophe with any sort of credit, and deserves another chance to start in the league.
That pushes Bryan Mbeumo up front in place of Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, who both must prove themselves from the bench.
Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Santos, Mainoo; Lacey, Fernandes, Rashford; Mbeumo