Manchester United head to Fulham in today’s Premier League action with Ruben Amorim seeking a response following defeat to Arsenal in their opener.
The Red Devils showed more than the Gunners at Old Trafford last weekend, but their campaign kicked off in defeat, as Mikel Arteta’s side dragged themselves over the line.
The mood was more on the positive side at full-time, for both Amorim and his players, and they head to Fulham with real confidence.
The Cottagers snatched a late 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in their first game – but they lost 1-0 home and away to United last season – either side of knocking Amorim out of the FA Cup.
Amorim opted to start two of his summer attacking signings against Arsenal, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo flanking Mason Mount in a false No.9 role, as Benjamin Sesko started on the bench.
The Slovenian replaced Mount for the final 25 minutes and he will be hungry for a bigger role at Craven Cottage.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Ahead of United’s trip to the capital – The Sporting News takes a look at three key issues for Amorim.
Sesko starting option?
A roar reverberated around Old Trafford as Sesko emerged from the Old Trafford bench last weekend as their new No.30 finally made his entrance.
United held off a host of rivals to secure a deal for him with RB Leipzig this summer and expectation is high that he can transfer that form to the Premier League.
21 goals in 45 appearances last season underlines his sharpness in front of goal and he has the power and stature to trouble defenders from the start of his United career.
Amorim has admitted his new centre-forward is ‘even better than I imagined’ and a first start looks a certainty.
Amorim to back Altay Bayındır
Altay Bayındır came under fire after the Arsenal loss as he failed to deal with the corner which led to Riccardo Calafiori’s early winner.
Despite United’s appeals for a foul on their goalkeeper, that was waved away by the officials, and the goal stood.
However, there appears to be no danger of the Turkey international being dropped, as Andre Onana remains exiled.
United are hoping to sell the Cameroon international before the end of the transfer window, and with links to Gianluigi Donnarumma dwindling, Bayındır has a chance to stake his claim as No.1 for 2025/26.
Floating Fernandes set for new United role
United captain Bruno Fernandes started in the middle of a midfield two against Arsenal alongside Casemiro.
With Mbeumo and Cunha ahead of him, and Mount looking to drop into the space, Fernandes operated far deeper than United fans have become accustomed to.
The Portugal international has managed double figures in goals in all six of his seasons at United with his role generally based higher up the pitch.
If Sesko starts as expected, that will keep the 30-year-old in his rejigged spot, with the former charged with spearheading the attack in a different way to Mount.
He was still heavily involved vs. Arsenal, with the second highest amount of touches for a United player [73], but 41 of those came in the midfield third of Old Trafford, way higher than any other player/
Man United news and related links
