Manchester United XI vs Fulham: team news, predicted lineup, injury latest

Manchester United look set to hand Matthijs de Ligt his debut in tonight’s Premier League opener against Fulham.

Erik ten Hag’s side are looking to start the new campaign in more positive fashion after last weekend’s Community Shield defeat by Manchester City on penalties at Wembley.

De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are both available for the top-flight curtain-raiser at Old Trafford after their respective arrivals from Bayern Munich and Ten Hag has confirmed they will be in the squad as he mulls over naming them in the starting lineup.

With Luke Shaw now out until next month’s international break with a calf injury, Tyrell Malacia still unavailable and Aaron Wan-Bissaka joining West Ham, Man Utd are short of options at full-back.

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If Mazraoui is not brought in to either play on the left or Diogo Dalot moved over from the right flank, Lisandro Martinez is likely to fill in at left-back once again.

“We were looking and we can sort problems over the left side,” Ten Hag said on Thursday. “For instance Licha Martinez and Diogo Dalot are capable of playing there.

“Mazraoui is an additional one who can fill the position as long as Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia aren’t in the team. They are different and I think it’s quite difficult to put him under pressure, especially in English football, that can be very beneficial.”

There could be a reshuffle in attack, with Alejandro Garnacho impressing off the bench in the Community Shield and potentially doing enough to come into the side.

Should he do so, Marcus Rashford could move up front, with Garnacho on the left wing and Amad Diallo on the opposite flank. Mason Mount would likely be the man to drop out, with Bruno Fernandes moving back into the No10 role.