Man Utd predicted XI vs Fulham: Major change made as £60m star drops out of starting line-up

Man Utd predicted XI vs Fulham: Major change made as £60m star drops out of starting line-up

Manchester United will continue their late bid for a Champions League qualification spot when they host Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils started the season sluggishly, but have enjoyed a much-improved patch of form recently, and are currently on a winning streak of four straight matches.

That upturn in fortunes has catapulted them to within five points of the top four, with 13 Premier League matches still to play this term. And given their opposition this weekend, Erik ten Hag’s men will be quietly confident of closing that gap even further.

Fulham have won just one of their past five league outings, and are currently languishing 12th in the table, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Their last top flight fixture ended in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, and the Cottagers look destined for little more than mid-table obscurity this term.

But how will both sides line up at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon? We’ve taken a closer look at their latest team news and predicted starting XIs below…

Injuries in defence continue to plague Manchester United. At left-back, Luke Shaw may miss the remainder of the campaign due to a thigh complaint, with Ten Hag stating earlier in the week: ‘Luke has sustained a muscle injury and will be out for an extended period. Further assessment is still needed to determine the severity, but we expect him to be absent for a few months.’

Similarly, Lisandro Martinez has sustained knee ligament damage, and is expected to be sidelined for around eight weeks, while Tyrell Malacia has suffered a setback in his own rehabilitation from a knee injury. Speaking about the Dutchman recently, his manager said: ‘It takes too long; it’s bad for him. Bad for us.

Rasmus Højlund suffered from a muscle injury and won’t be in the starting lineup vs Fulham.

But now we’ve turned a point, and it’s positive – he will return soon on the pitch. I don’t think then it will take long before he’s returning in the team training.’ Malacia could be back in action by mid-March.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka rounds out United’s defensive absentees, while Mason Mount also joins the full-back on the treatment table as his torrid debut campaign in Manchester continues. Both players are expected to return next month.

Manchester United Predicted XI
Andre Onana; Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot; Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Omari Forson

Fulham have fairly few confirmed absences heading into the weekend. Raul Jimenez is expected to be sidelined until the end of March with a thigh problem, while influential midfielder Joao Palhinha is suspended, but other than that, the Cottagers boast a relatively clean bill of health.

Armando Broja is expected to overcome a mild illness to feature in Marco Silva’s match day squad, while Kenny Tete should be in contention after his manager described a recent calf issue as ‘nothing serious’.

Fulham’s only other concern is Willian, who will face a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. Speaking about the veteran Brazilian on Thursday, Silva said: ‘Still a doubt with Willian and if he can be ready or not. Let’s see in tomorrow’s session.’

Fulham Predicted XI
Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Issa Diop, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson; Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney; Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Andreas Pereira, Harry Wilson; Rodrigo Muniz.