Benjamin Sesko was not spotted with Manchester United’s travelling squad as the Red Devils left for London ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham, while Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt and Carlos Baleba all made the journey.
Michael Carrick’s side departed from Stockport railway station on Saturday afternoon for the trip to Craven Cottage. Reports confirmed Sesko’s absence from the group, casting doubt over the striker’s availability for the match. The Slovenia international had started the midweek EFL Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion before being substituted.
In contrast, three players returned to the fold. Luke Shaw travelled after missing the last three games. Summer signing Carlos Baleba, still seeking his first appearance since joining from Brighton, was also included and could make his debut. Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, sidelined since last November with a back injury, was part of the 23-man party and looks set for his first involvement of the season.
Sesko missing from United’s travelling party; Shaw, De Ligt and Baleba all included.
The confirmed squad listed Senne Lammens, Karl Darlow and Dermot Mee as the goalkeepers. Defenders included Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot. Midfield options were Bruno Fernandes, Youri Tielemans, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. The attackers who travelled were Shea Lacey, Marcus Rashford, Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha.
United head into the fixture on a two-game losing run. They were beaten 1-0 at home by 10-man Manchester City last weekend and then collapsed from 2-0 up to lose 3-2 against Brighton in the EFL Cup at Old Trafford — the first time the club had lost a home match after leading by two goals in 50 years. Shea Lacey and Mason Mount scored inside the opening 10 minutes that night before Brighton’s second-half fightback eliminated them.
Both sides have made poor starts to the Premier League season. United sit 13th with four points from four games, their only win a 5-2 home victory over Ipswich Town in which Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick. Fulham remain winless after three defeats and a goalless draw at Liverpool, leaving them bottom of the table.
Carrick had indicated earlier in the week that there was a chance of both Shaw and Baleba being available, describing Shaw’s issue as short-term. De Ligt’s inclusion marks significant progress after a long absence. Sesko’s non-appearance, however, leaves United light in the central striking positions, with Cunha, Mbeumo, Rashford, Zirkzee and Lacey the options who made the trip.
United need a result at Craven Cottage after consecutive defeats across competitions.
The game kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday. For Carrick, the return of defensive and midfield reinforcements offers selection flexibility at a point when results have started to pile pressure on the side. The absence of Sesko is the clearest negative from the travelling party.
United’s early-season form has been uneven. The heavy win over Ipswich showed attacking potential, but the subsequent losses to Hull City, Manchester City and Brighton have left them in the bottom half. Fulham, under Álvaro Arbeloa, have also struggled for wins but showed resilience in taking a point at Anfield.
Carrick’s selection decisions on Sunday will be watched closely. Whether Baleba is ready for minutes, whether De Ligt can feature after such a long lay-off, and how United shape their attack without Sesko will shape the narrative of the afternoon.
The squad list itself delivers a mixed picture: three welcome returns and one notable absentee. For a team that needs points, the balance of those news items could prove decisive at Craven Cottage.
