Manchester United continue their FA Cup defence this afternoon when Fulham visit Old Trafford to battle for a place in the quarter-finals. Ruben Amorim’s side are a spent force in the Premier League, but the FA Cup offers a slither of hope of silverware and Europa League qualification.
Amorim doesn’t expect any new availability after Wednesday’s 3-2 win against Ipswich Town. In fact, his already limited options have decreased further. Patrick Dorgu will serve the first of his three-match ban after seeing a straight red last time out. Meanwhile, the United boss has suggested Alejandro Garnacho could be an injury doubt.
Express Sport runs through the Red Devils’ likely lineup for the latest instalment of their FA Cup adventure…
Man Utd predicted XI vs Fulham (3-4-3)
Goalkeeper: Onana
Andre Onana suffered two more moments to forget for Ipswich’s goals midweek. He’s fortunate Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton are ruled out through injury.
Defence: De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro
Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire turned into goalscorers against Ipswich to rescue United from more misery on home turf.
Both should start again when Fulham come to turn, with Noussair Mazraoui likely required further up the pitch in Dorgu’s absence.
Leny Yoro produced one of his best displays since joining the Red Devils last summer as the left-sided centre-back a few days ago.
He has the ability to make that position his own while Lisandro Martinez is on the long road to recovery from his torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Midfield: Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot
Apologies for the spoiler, but it goes without saying Mazraoui is bound to move back into wing-back while Dorgu is banned.
Before the 20-year-old’s arrival, Amorim utilised Mazraoui on the right and Diogo Dalot on the left, so it’s safe to presume he’ll go that route this weekend.
All of United’s last six goals have come from Bruno Fernandes set-pieces, a run the club captain will be keen to continue to add another element to the hosts’ limited attacking arsenal.
Manuel Ugarte is another sure starter after contributing his latest workhorse display to fuel the 10 men of United in the Ipswich win.
Attack: Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Joshua Zirkzee has started to look right at home as the right-sided attacking midfielder in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. He should continue his starting streak.
Garnacho is also likely to feature in the team, despite Amorim airing a slight concern about a knock he picked up before being substituted after Dorgu’s dismissal midweek.
The United boss insisted he believed the Argentine would be fine to play; the hosts would be desperately devoid of pace if he didn’t.
Rasmus Hojlund is suffering through a 17-match goal drought but remains Amorim’s only senior striker. Chido Obi is in for more minutes off the bench.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk