Manchester United Faces Fulham Without Sesko but Gains Key Players
Manchester United travel to Fulham without Benjamin Sesko, but Michael Carrick’s squad has not boarded the train to London empty-handed.
The United boss has lost his main striker from the travelling party. In return, he’s been handed a timely triple boost.
Sesko missing as United head south
United departed from Stockport Station on Saturday afternoon bound for the capital, but Sesko was nowhere to be seen among the group heading to Craven Cottage. His absence from the travelling squad casts serious doubt over his involvement on Sunday and strips Carrick of a focal point who has quickly become central to United’s attacking plans.
It is a blow. Yet Carrick has already shown he is comfortable ripping up the traditional playbook and going without a recognised centre-forward, building a fluid front line instead. He may have to lean on that approach again.
Triple boost: Baleba, Shaw and De Ligt on board
Where Sesko is missing, three important names are back in the frame. Carlos Baleba, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt all made the journey and are in contention to feature against Fulham.
Asked before the trip whether Shaw and Baleba would be ready, Carrick kept it simple: “There's kind of a chance with both of them. Don't know totally 100 per cent yet. It's short-term [with Shaw], we're just working toward the game.”
Baleba has trained this week as he edges towards his first real involvement since joining the club. Shaw, whose absence has been keenly felt on the left, is pushing to be “in and around it” for the weekend, according to his manager. De Ligt’s presence bolsters a defensive unit that has been under scrutiny after a bruising few days.
Carrick demands a response
United arrive in west London under pressure. They need a reaction. Defeat in the Manchester derby and a Carabao Cup third-round exit to Brighton have darkened the mood and raised the stakes for this league fixture.
Carrick, though, insists the squad is close to full tilt.
“We're looking good. Everyone's up and running,” he said. “Over the last week or so, pretty much everyone has played and [been] fit and we're trying to get Carlos back in.
“Well, I say back in, actually introducing him into the group. So he's done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we'll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend.”
The message is clear: no excuses.
Baleba’s hunger
Inside the camp, Baleba’s energy has not gone unnoticed. Carrick spoke warmly about the midfielder’s attitude as he waits for his chance.
“Yeah, he's desperate to get started. He's bouncing around the place,” Carrick said. “It's not always easy, I think, when you come into a new club and you're not right fully in with the group, with the training.
“But he's dealt with that ever so well, I have to say. He's got great personality and he's full of enthusiasm around [the place] and pushing to get back as quickly as possible. So it's great to have him back.”
For a United side crying out for drive in midfield, that kind of profile could matter.
Who’s on the train?
The travelling squad for Fulham underlines both the depth and the gaps Carrick must juggle.
Confirmed players making the trip:
- Goalkeepers: Lammens, Darlow, Mee.
- Defenders: Maguire, De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Heaven, Martinez, Dalot.
- Midfielders: Fernandes, Tielemans, Mount, Mainoo, Santos, Baleba.
- Attackers: Lacey, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Cunha.
Without Sesko, the attacking burden tilts again towards Marcus Rashford and the flexible options around him. A false nine? A rotating front three? Carrick has used those tools before.
The stakes at Craven Cottage are simple enough: United need a win, a performance, and a sign that this season is still pointing upwards. Whether they can find that spark without their main striker will say plenty about where this team is really heading.
