Manchester United fans, brace yourselves! The Red Devils are gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash against Fulham, but a hamstring injury to rising star Patrick Dorgu has thrown a wrench into their plans. This setback forces manager Carrick to rethink his attacking strategy, and here’s how it could all play out.
Matheus Cunha, who heroically scored the winner against Arsenal last weekend, is expected to step into the starting lineup after two games on the bench. Joining him up front will likely be Amad Diallo on the right, Bruno Fernandes in his signature No.10 role, and Bryan Mbeumo leading the charge.
But here’s where it gets controversial: With Dorgu sidelined for around 10 weeks, Carrick faces a tough decision—stick with the winning formula or experiment with fresh talent? So far, he’s leaned toward consistency, especially after back-to-back victories over Manchester City and Arsenal. Kobbie Mainoo is set to continue his midfield partnership with Casemiro, while the backline of Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, and Shaw is unlikely to change, despite Noussair Mazraoui waiting in the wings.
Carrick expressed his disappointment over Dorgu’s injury, saying, ‘It’s a blow for all of us. He’s been in such great form, but unfortunately, these things happen in football. We’ll work hard to get him back as soon as possible.’
And this is the part most people miss: Joshua Zirkzee, whose future at the club remains uncertain, has returned to training and could make an appearance. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt’s back injury keeps him on the sidelines, adding another layer of complexity to Carrick’s selection.
Here’s the predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens in goal; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, and Shaw in defense; Casemiro and Mainoo in midfield; Amad, Fernandes, and Cunha in attack; with Mbeumo up front.
Injured: Dorgu, De Ligt
Doubt: Zirkzee
The match kicks off at 2pm GMT on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Old Trafford, and you can catch all the action on Sky Sports.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question for you: With Dorgu out and Zirkzee’s future uncertain, is Carrick making the right call by sticking to his winning lineup, or should he take a risk and introduce fresh talent? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
