Manchester United Faces Fulham Without Sesko but Welcomes Key Players

Manchester United travel to Fulham without Benjamin Sesko, but Michael Carrick’s squad still carries a very different look – and a much brighter one – than it did a week ago.

The Slovenian striker was a notable absentee as United boarded the train at Stockport Station on Saturday afternoon for the trip to London. Sesko was not among the travelling group reported heading to Craven Cottage, casting serious doubt over his involvement on Sunday.

Carrick, though, did receive a triple boost. Carlos Baleba, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt all made the journey south and are in contention to feature in what already feels like a significant game in United’s early-season story.

Carrick’s Calculations

United arrive in the capital under pressure. Defeat in the Manchester derby, followed by a Carabao Cup third-round exit to Brighton, has sharpened the edges around Carrick’s project. Fulham away is no place for drifting.

When asked before the squad travelled whether Shaw and Baleba would be ready, Carrick kept it blunt: “There's kind of a chance with both of them. Don't know totally 100 per cent yet. It's short-term [with Shaw], we're just working toward the game."

The left-back’s return, even on a limited basis, would reshape United’s balance. Shaw’s absence has been felt both in possession and in transition, and his presence on the train hints at a bench role at the very least.

Baleba’s situation is different. He is new, impatient, and itching to be thrown in.

“Yeah, he's desperate to get started. He's bouncing around the place,” Carrick said. “It's not always easy, I think, when you come into a new club and you're not right fully in with the group, with the training.

“But he's dealt with that ever so well, I have to say. He's got great personality and he's full of enthusiasm around [the place] and pushing to get back as quickly as possible. So it's great to have him back."

Those are not the words of a manager planning to leave him on the fringes for long.

Sesko Blow, Tactical Flexibility

Sesko’s likely absence is a setback. The 21-year-old offers depth, movement and a focal point that can stretch defences, particularly away from home. But Carrick has already shown he is willing to go without a recognised No 9, leaning into a striker-free system when the game demands it.

That tactical flexibility softens the blow. It does not remove it.

United’s confirmed travelling squad underlines where the strength – and the questions – lie.

• Goalkeepers: Lammens, Darlow, Mee.
• Defenders: Maguire, De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Heaven, Martinez, Dalot.
• Midfielders: Fernandes, Tielemans, Mount, Mainoo, Santos, Baleba.
• Attackers: Lacey, Rashford, Mbeumo, Zirkzee, Cunha.

De Ligt’s presence is another quiet but important step. The Dutchman adds authority and composure to a defensive unit that has looked vulnerable in big moments. With Lisandro Martinez also in the group, Carrick suddenly has options at the back he simply did not enjoy earlier in the season.

“We’re Looking Good”

Despite the derby defeat and cup exit, Carrick cut an upbeat figure when assessing his squad.

“We're looking good. Everyone's up and running,” he said. “Over the last week or so, pretty much everyone has played and [been] fit and we're trying to get Carlos back in.

“Well, I say back in, actually introducing him into the group. So he's done a bit of training this week and, hopefully, we'll get Luke [Shaw] back in and around it this week and look forward to a strong game on the weekend.”

The message is clear: the injury list is shrinking, the competition for places is rising, and excuses are evaporating.

United now head to Craven Cottage needing a response, short of one striker but bolstered by three key returns. Whether that trade-off proves enough to steady their season will be decided under the lights in west London.