4-2-3-1: United will blow Fulham apart with this brilliant line-up, Dorgu won’t be missed

It is typical of Manchester United’s luck over the past few years that the player in the hottest form, Patrick Dorgu, has picked up an injury that will keep him sidelined for around 10 weeks. The club has not confirmed the extent of the injury and is officially still evaluating it, but the ever-reliable Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic has imparted the bad news. Without Dorgu, the question is whether Michael Carrick will re-introduce Matheus Cunha or Ben Sesko into the front line. Defence and Midfield Carrick is expected to keep the same defence that triumphed over both Manchester City and Arsenal under his reign. This means Senne Lammens in goal and a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw. Whilst there may be a temptation to give some game time to the likes of Nouss Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, especially in a home game against bottom-half opposition, we expect Carrick to resist it. One of the things that has plagued United over the reigns of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim was unsettled defences that lacked communication and understanding. United can’t afford slip-ups and keeping the same four together will surely be the order of the day. The most obvious challenger to the status quo would be Matthijs de Ligt, but he is unlikely to have recovered from injury in time to feature. The midfield double pivot of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will also be unchanged, especially given the lack of credible alternatives. Manuel Ugarte and, at a pinch, Mason Mount, are the only other options. Forwards Bruno Fernandes will be the number 10, leaving Carrick with the job of picking three from Amad, Bryan Mbeumo, Ben Sesko, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha. A straight swap of Cunha for Dorgu on the left is a possibility, with Mbeumo staying up top and Amad on the right. However, we believe Sesko will also be given a start and either the Cameroonian or the Ivorian will be rested – probably the latter. Josh Zirkzee could also come into contention if he recovers from his small, undisclosed injury in time. More will be known after Carrick’s press conference on Friday lunchtime, which will be covered here. Final thoughts Defence and midfield unchanged, especially as De Ligt still out Cunha in for the injured Dorgu Sesko recalled with Amad rested Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.