Fulham host Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Sunday in the final Premier League fixture before the international break, with both managers under scrutiny after difficult starts to the season.
Alvaro Arbeloa has collected a single point from his first four league games, though that arrived in a hard-fought goalless draw at Liverpool last time out, a marked improvement after Fulham had shipped seven goals in their first three matches.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have lost their last two matches in all competitions, going down 3-2 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup in midweek having also been beaten in the Manchester derby. Carrick’s side still have the attacking weapons to trouble a leaky Fulham backline, and it is the sides’ first meeting since a 3-2 United win at Old Trafford in February, Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time strike settling that contest.
Fulham vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news
- Date: Sunday, 20 September 2026
- Kick-off: 16:30 BST
- Venue: Craven Cottage
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- Last meeting: Manchester United 3-2 Fulham (Premier League, 1 February 2026, Old Trafford)
Team news
Fulham
Kenny Tete is unavailable after being concussed, joining Tom Cairney (knee) as a confirmed absentee. Ryan Sessegnon is on the verge of returning from a groin problem and will undergo a late fitness test. Arbeloa is expected to revert to the side that frustrated Liverpool at Anfield, dropping several EFL Cup starters despite two of them scoring in that competition.
Manchester United
Carlos Baleba (ankle), Manuel Ugarte (knee), Tom Heaton, Amad Diallo (ankle) and Matthijs de Ligt (back) all remain out, with De Ligt back in individual training but yet to rejoin the group. Luke Shaw, who missed the recent defeats to Brighton and Manchester City with a minor muscular issue, is in contention to return at left-back in place of Noussair Mazraoui.
Form
Fulham
Fulham are winless in the Premier League after four games, taking only a single point, though they showed defensive improvement in a goalless draw at Liverpool last weekend and beat West Ham United in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Manchester United
United have lost two of their last three matches in all competitions, including a chaotic EFL Cup exit to Brighton, and have won only one of their opening four Premier League games this season.
Predicted lineups
Fulham predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia
Manchester United predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
How to watch Fulham vs Manchester United?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on Sky Sports Main Event.
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