Fulham vs Manchester United: Carrick faces crunch test at Craven Cottage

Manchester United head to Craven Cottage on Sunday to face a Fulham side rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table. Michael Carrick finds himself at the centre of scrutiny for the first time since taking charge, and a third straight defeat before the three-week international break would deepen the sense of crisis. United sit 13th after a week to forget at Old Trafford.

• Michael Carrick is under mounting pressure after defeats to Man City and Brighton.
• Fulham start the day bottom of the table with Álvaro Arbeloa winless in the league.
• Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba could return, with Baleba in line for his United debut.
• The game kicks off at 4:30pm on Sunday 20 September, live on Sky Sports.

What is at stake for Michael Carrick at Craven Cottage

The league defeat against Manchester City and the Carabao Cup exit to Brighton, despite leading by two goals, have left United with just one domestic win to start the season. Carrick knows that a positive result would lift the mood before a three-week international hiatus, while another setback would invite further questions about his position.

Team selection is far from straightforward for the United boss. Benjamin Sesko is a minor doubt with an undisclosed knock, and Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte all remain out. There is better news on Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba, who have missed recent games through injury but could feature. Should Baleba play, it would mark his first appearance since joining the club in the summer.

Fulham and Arbeloa face their own pressing need

Álvaro Arbeloa is also desperate for a turning point. His side picked up their first point of the season at Anfield against Liverpool and then knocked West Ham out of the Carabao Cup in midweek, yet they remain bottom of the table. A home win over United would change the narrative entirely before the international window.

Fulham will be without defender Kenny Tete, who is recovering from concussion, while midfielder Ryan Sessegnon is sidelined with a groin issue. Tom Cairney is also missing because of a knee problem. The home side are expected to line up with Leno in goal behind a back four of Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey and Robinson.

Recent history is heavily weighted towards Manchester United

United have lost only one of their last 21 Premier League games against Fulham, winning 16 and drawing four. The sole defeat in that run came in February 2024, when Fulham left Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory.

The picture at Craven Cottage is even more encouraging for the visitors. Fulham are winless in their last 10 home league meetings with United, drawing two and losing eight. Not since back-to-back wins in 2009 have the Cottagers beaten United on their own ground.

Fulham and Manchester United predicted line-ups

With the latest team news in mind, these are the sides that could take to the pitch in west London.

Manchester United predicted XI

• Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.

Fulham predicted XI

• Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia.

Kick-off time and how to watch Fulham vs Manchester United

The match gets under way at 4:30pm on Sunday 20 September at Craven Cottage. Live television coverage is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with the build-up starting at 4:00pm. Sky subscribers can stream the game through the Sky Go app, while non-subscribers can watch by purchasing a NOWTV Day Pass.

Two managers under the spotlight in the Premier League

This fixture pits two coaches in contrasting but equally complicated situations against each other. Carrick is navigating his first major dip in results since stepping into the role, while Arbeloa is still fighting to prove his Fulham project can produce victories. The winner heads into the international break with renewed belief; the loser carries the questions for three more weeks.

The historical record favours the away side, but the current form and desperation of both teams make this one of the hardest games of the weekend to call. Craven Cottage will deliver a verdict that could shape the immediate future of both benches.