Manchester United host Fulham at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.
We start the weekend’s fixtures eight points outside of the Champions League places in desperate need to get our top four ambitions back on track.
The Cottagers currently sit bottom of the Premier League but have picked up four points in their three games under Claudio Ranieri.
Here’s the starting XI I expect Jose Mourinho to send out tomorrow:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
At fault for Arsenal’s opener on Wednesday night but we have to be hopeful of keeping our third clean sheet of the season when we welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.
Defence: Diogo Dalot, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Ashley Young
Jose has a number of injuries to deal with. Luke Shaw picked up a knock last weekend that kept him out on Wednesday so Ashley Young could start at left-back as he is available again following suspension. Diogo Dalot impressed on his full Premier League debut against Arsenal so I would expect him to keep his place in the starting lineup this weekend. The boss appears to have fallen out with Antonio Valencia whilst Matteo Darmain is also available to play on either side of our defence. Eric Bailly got a rare start midweek and I think he’ll face Fulham with Victor Lindelof out and Phil Jones a doubt. Hopefully Chris Smalling is fit to return, whilst Marcos Rojo did start midweek but I think two games in less than a week may be too much for the Argentine who looked tired in the second half and was replaced in the final 20 minutes.
Midfield: Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba only got a 17-minute run out versus Arsenal, seemingly as a punishment for his poor performance against Southampton last weekend. I think the French international will come back into the starting lineup against Fulham. If so, the 2018 World Cup winner really needs a top performance after greatly disappointing of late. Expecting to see the majority of possession means Ander Herrera should start as he likes to see a lot of the ball. Nemanja Matic’s position is not under threat.
Attack: Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford
Juan Mata’s creativity should see him recalled to the starting lineup to give Jesse Lingard a rest after a hardworking effort on Wednesday. Anthony Martial went off injured last time out so may not be fit in time for this one so Marcus Rashford could start down the left, with Alexis Sanchez out until the New Year. This would mean Romelu Lukaku gets the central striker birth.
Here’s our team on paper:
