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Manchester United 3:2 Fulham

Old Trafford

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Sun, 1 February 2026 @ 2:00pm GMT
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Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

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    This is going to be an interesting one. We cannot sit back and expect Fulham to come at us so we can counter them. We need to take more control and possibly break down a low block. If a lot of the game is played like that I'm interested to see the following:
    • Do we play Cunha instead of Dorgu? Both have been good but Dorgu is probably mostly useful from the wing if we're sitting back. He could move to LB though.
    • Does Sesko start to provide a target in the box?
    • How does our midfield of Casemiro and Mainoo handle a more stretched game?
    • Do we start Yoro or Heaven to have a bit more pace at the back? If poor defensive line is higher up the pitch that might be sensible.
     
    Same lineup, maybe Cunha for Dorgu if he's injured. We shouldnt change anything, everyone who has played the last two games has deserved to start again
     
    If dorgu out maybe mbuemo out wide to get sesko in for the start? Will be interesting to see if we build on momentum or let it go away with some stupid shit
     
    I'd understand if Carrick doesn't want to mess with what's working, but I'd really like to see Cunha and Sesko in for this one.
     
    Any word on Dorgu? So nice having a genuine game changer to come off the bench with in Cunha. Reckon he'll start this one though.
     
    The acid test for Carrick. In many ways this will be harder than the city and arsenal games. We’ve been here before Michael…. Many times.
     
    I think people are underestimating Fulham here. They aren’t a weaker team, they are on a really good run of form and they are only 4 points below us.

    They have one of the form players in the league in Harry Wilson and give every team in the league a tough match, they rarely get smashed or beaten well. They won’t sit back in a low block either, they are reasonably proactive.

    I can see a tight 2-1 here.
     
    Fulham are decent (and only three places and four points behind us), but confidence is going to be sky high going in to this so I expect we’ll come out flying. There’s a different energy to this team at the moment, but we’ll see. It’s great to be able to look forward to games again isn’t it!
     
    Fulham actually have as many wins as we do this season. Not a bad side, so nothing is guaranteed for this game.

    Really have a hard time deciding what I think the line-up should be. Part of me says a player like Cunha should be starting to unlock a deeper defense, but Dorgu obviously doesn't deserve to be benched. Similarly, it might make sense to have more of a presence in the box with Sesko, but Mbeumo has done well up top. And in general, there's the whole don't change a winning side argument.

    I'm leaning towards this though:

    Lammens
    Mazraoui - Maguire - Martinez - Shaw
    Mainoo - Casemiro
    Mbeumo - Bruno - Cunha
    Sesko
    ​
    But I really think you could argue for many variations of Mbeumo/Amad/Dorgu/Sesko/Cunha up front around Bruno.
     
    In some ways this is the real "test". Can we still perform at a high level when the stakes aren't as high. Looking at recent history. the biggest challenge for Carrick will be to instill that mentality into the players going into ALL games.

    I'd make some changes to the lineup:

    Lammens
    Maz - Maguire - Licha - Shaw (Dorgu if fit)
    Case - Kobbie
    Bruno
    Mbeumo - Sesko - Cunha

    Subs: Amad, Mount, Ugarte​
     
    Feels similar to the Brighton game after the win at Anfield earlier in the season, except I think Fulham will sit in more and be more stubborn to break down. We need to prove we can live with being the favourites and continue to create enough chances.

    As well as we've played in the last two, they've been the types of games we've had more joy from in recent times. We really need to start picking up points at home to these kinds of teams now.
     
    Don't think you can leave Cunha on the bench after that and where Dorgu got a knock you can easily rest him, that combined with the expected flow of the game I wouldn't expect he would find the same space as Fulham won't commit as many men forward.

    I worry about Maguire too as he's perfect to sit deep and counter but think we need the pace here of a Heaven to be able to play a higher line and Sesko could be vital for his ability in the air which means one of Amad/ Mbuemo needs to sit it out, Mbuemo looked frustrated to leave the pitch as well and imagine having Amad to bring on should it be needed, not sure how Carrick will go but I would go with:

    Maz Heaven Martinez Shaw
    Casemiro Mainoo
    Mbuemo Bruno Cunha
    Sesko

    I'd like to see Mount, Amad, Dorgu & Maguire to all come on, what an ability from the bench to impact play, it's really the midfield we have no options as I don't trust Ugarte, real shame we can't move him on and bring someone in but don't think we have a proactive board unfortunately.
     
    AngeloHenriquez said:
    Don't think you can leave Cunha on the bench after that and where Dorgu got a knock you can easily rest him, that combined with the expected flow of the game I wouldn't expect he would find the same space as Fulham won't commit as many men forward.

    I worry about Maguire too as he's perfect to sit deep and counter but think we need the pace here of a Heaven to be able to play a higher line and Sesko could be vital for his ability in the air which means one of Amad/ Mbuemo needs to sit it out, Mbuemo looked frustrated to leave the pitch as well and imagine having Amad to bring on should it be needed, not sure how Carrick will go but I would go with:

    Maz Heaven Martinez Shaw
    Casemiro Mainoo
    Mbuemo Bruno Cunha
    Sesko

    I'd like to see Mount, Amad, Dorgu & Maguire to all come on, what an ability from the bench to impact play, it's really the midfield we have no options as I don't trust Ugarte, real shame we can't move him on and bring someone in but don't think we have a proactive board unfortunately.
    Click to expand...
    Agree with everything you said.
     
    I don't see much reason to change things drastically:

    Lammens
    Dalot Maguire Martinez Shaw
    Mainoo Casemiro
    Amad Bruno Mbuemo
    Cunha​

    I think we should just stick with the left footed player on the left to start with. Cunha has had impact off the bench two games on the trot with a goal and an assist - definitely deserves a start as is the most likely player to come in.

    The only other change I'd debate is Mazraoui over Dalot right now, but I think that's for Maz to displace him after the last couple games. It will be the same for De Ligt over Maguire when he's fit. If we are going to 'rest' anyone, it should be these guys coming on and the likes of Mount & Ugarte when we're 3-0 up. Otherwise, it's largely down to the guys starting to keep it up. We're playing one game a week. We also have a two week gap between West Ham & Everton coming up this month (effectively a winter break as we're not in the League Cup or FA Cup).
     
    I'd give Amad a rest on the bench for this I think. Coming back from AFCON and 2 intense games. Great impact off the bench too.
     
    We had loads of space to counter vs city and arsenal. This one will be different, we need to find a way to break through 10 man defending. Play sesko and seek him. Play mbeumo out wide.
     
    It's hard to drop players after these 2 games but I think it's needed here. I'd probably start both Cunha and Sesko, Sesko because this type of game calls for his type of player while Cunha because he simply deserves a start.

    How do you drop Dorgu though? Maybe the little knock/cramp is enough to just play it safe with him and tell him he's getting a rest. Good problem to have but suddenly the squad looks good and Carrick has tough selection issues.

    I'd go:
    Lammens
    Dalot Maguire Martinez Shaw
    Amad Casemiro Mainoo Cunha
    Bruno
    Sesko​
     
    Really looking forward to this to see how we perform against a side we're expected to win.
     
    I thought as soon as we appointed Carrick we’d beat City and Arsenal.

    This is the interesting game.

    Villarreal away, Chelsea and Arsenal in his first stint. Arsenal and City just gone. All games where Carrick could sit back and hit on the counter. This is the first game he’ll have here where he’s expected to dominate, and I imagine he will attempt to do so rather than sit back.

    Carrick was my 1st choice as interim and it’s because I think he can get us to dominate these teams (which was how he always attempted to get Middlesbrough playing from what we heard from their fans prior to his appointment) on top of outwitting the better teams in the league as we’ve seen recently and in his first stint.
     
    Andersonson said:
    Same lineup, maybe Cunha for Dorgu if he's injured. We shouldnt change anything, everyone who has played the last two games has deserved to start again
    Click to expand...

    Nah, I'd like to see him change up the team and still get results. That's a key management skill at a big club.

    There's no way you can play the same team for 17 games in a row, and other players need their chances.
     
    I think the obvious debatable positions are Dalot/Mazraoui and Dorgu/Cunha, though with Dorgu's form there is maybe a case for resting Amad or Fernandes for him instead. Have to say I really like the way Amad and Dorgu work without the ball though. Cunha might be competing more with Fernandes or Mbeumo which is fairly tricky. Nice problems!
     
    Who's Kissing Cameras? said:
    I think people are underestimating Fulham here. They aren’t a weaker team, they are on a really good run of form and they are only 4 points below us.

    They have one of the form players in the league in Harry Wilson and give every team in the league a tough match, they rarely get smashed or beaten well. They won’t sit back in a low block either, they are reasonably proactive.

    I can see a tight 2-1 here
    Click to expand...

    Last 10 of their really good run of form consists of

    L- Citeh
    L- Palace (15th)
    W- Burnley (19th)
    W- Forest (17th)
    W- West Ham (18th)
    D- Liverpool
    D- Palace (15th)
    W- Chelsea
    L- Leeds (16th)
    W-Brighton (12th)

    So 17 of 30 points is now a really good run of form? I mean it's decent, wouldn't call it a really good run given the majority of their points gained was against the bottom 5 clubs in the league. Only really notable win is the one vs Chelsea which they had a man advantage for 75 minutes
     
    Cunha in for Dorgu for certain.
    Big decision is do we in effect make 2 more changes in Amad out and Sesko in. Meaning Mbeumo back to the wing.
     
    JustinC00 said:
    Last 10 of their really good run of form consists of

    L- Citeh
    L- Palace (15th)
    W- Burnley (19th)
    W- Forest (17th)
    W- West Ham (18th)
    D- Liverpool
    D- Palace (15th)
    W- Chelsea
    L- Leeds (16th)
    W-Brighton (12th)

    So 17 of 30 points is now a really good run of form? I mean it's decent, wouldn't call it a really good run given the majority of their points gained was against the bottom 5 clubs in the league. Only really notable win is the one vs Chelsea which they had a man advantage for 75 minutes
    Click to expand...
    I haven't looked at the other teams best run of 10 fixtures this season. But I reckon this is good in this particular Premier League season :lol: I wouldn't be surprised if only Arsenal, City, Villa and Liverpool have had significantly better 10-game runs than this. Maybe Sunderland at the start of the season?

    I'd agree that generally this isn't really good, but the teams from 4th to about 12th aren't being consistently better than this.
     
    I just think Cunha will come in for Dorgu here. Perfect excuse to rest him after he pulled up late and also reward Cunha for coming on and making a big impact.
     
    these are the matches that will show if carrick can lead this team and if the players are up for it......any pro can have the juice to play arsenal or a derby match but it's delivering that same energy and performance against teams you should beat that are the true measuring stick
     
    Looking forward to our games for the first time in years!
    Lammens
    Maz Yoro Delight Dorgu
    Ugarte Mainoo
    Amad Mount Cunha
    Sesko​
     
    Escobar said:
    While I tend to agree, who do you bench? It has become difficult, which is obviously a great problem to have
    Click to expand...
    I think Dorgu out for Cunha isn't too difficult to manage. You could always try Dorgu at LB over Shaw if you want him on the pitch, he won't have acres of space to run into like the last two games. For Sesko I have no idea. Amad and Mbeumo are both playing well and are useful vs. mid/low blocks and one of them would have to go to the bench.
     
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Casemiro image Casemiro 72% of 276 votes

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Score Predictions

143,6,10
  • Man Utd win
  • Fulham win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 26% Man Utd 2:0 Fulham
  • 21% Man Utd 3:1 Fulham
  • 21% Man Utd 2:1 Fulham
  • 14% Man Utd 3:0 Fulham
  • 4% Man Utd 1:1 Fulham
  • 4% Man Utd 4:1 Fulham
  • 2% Man Utd 1:2 Fulham
  • 2% Man Utd 4:0 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:0 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 2:2 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 0:2 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 5:0 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:3 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 3:3 Fulham
  • 1% Man Utd 1:9 Fulham
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