(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Michael Carrick is without two players who featured in Manchester United’s midweek defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Indeed, Ayden Heaven and Benjamin Sesko have both been omitted from the matchday squad at Craven Cottage.
Why Benjamin Sesko is unavailable vs Fulham
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Speaking to the media ahead of kick-off, Carrick confirmed that Sesko had felt a slight injury following the Carabao Cup tie, so he decided it was best to leave him out this afternoon.
“A little bit of an assessment at the moment. He pulled up after the game the other day with a little bit of pain, so we’ll have to see how he is,” said the manager.
The Slovenian is United’s only out-and-out centre-forward in the side this season, but he has still yet to start a Premier League fixture, with his only two starts of the term coming in the League Cup and Champions League.
Ayden Heaven dropped from squad at last minute
(Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Ayden Heaven is nowhere to be seen on the teamsheet, despite being fit and available.
He travelled with his teammates to London, but will travel back at full-time without playing any minutes in the clash with the Cottagers.
It’s thought that his absence is due to Carlos Baleba being deemed match-fit on the day of the game, hence his inclusion on the bench instead.
Heaven did oversee a particularly dismal display in the loss to the Seagulls, so he was presumably in line to lose his starting spot anyway.
After this weekend, fans will have to wait three weeks to see United back in action due to the lengthy international break.
Their first outing in October comes on the 10th, when they take on winless Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in a 5.30pm kick-off.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Players of Manchester United walk off the pitch after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, gestures during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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