Manchester United welcomes back one player from injury against Fulham! Carrick announces Doku's injury status, De Ligt still sidelined.

On Sunday, Manchester United face Fulham at Old Trafford, and if victorious, new coach Carrick will equal Ruben Amorim’s record of three straight wins to start a tenure. Amorim’s longest Premier League winning streak in over a year was three consecutive victories last October.

In the match against Fulham, Manchester United will certainly be missing Patrick Doku and De Ligt, but striker Zirkzee has resumed training and is ready to play. Carrick provided details on Doku’s injury: “Unfortunately, Patrick will be out for some time,” Carrick explained. “We are still determining the exact duration as we await further updates. He is very disappointed because he had been performing excellently over the past two weeks.”

After the last match, Carrick initially described Doku’s issue as cramping. He clarified: “At first, we weren’t sure if it was just a muscle cramp or something more serious. Later examinations revealed the situation seemed more severe. Therefore, it will take several weeks to confirm the exact timeline, and we must be patient.”

British media revealed this week that 21-year-old Doku might be sidelined for 10 weeks, missing eight Premier League games against teams including Fulham, Tottenham, West Ham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth. However, the Manchester Evening News reports that United hope for Doku’s return after eight weeks.

The difference between eight and ten weeks is minor for United, especially since there is a two-week international break at the end of March. Doku aims to be fit for Denmark’s World Cup playoff against North Macedonia, striving to qualify for this summer’s World Cup finals in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The Red Devils share this hope so that Doku can quickly regain match fitness after recovering.

Carrick commented: “This is obviously not an ideal situation and very disappointing for all of us. No one wants to lose a quality player. Patrick was in excellent form, but football is unpredictable. We must overcome these challenges and get him back on the pitch as soon as possible. Building a squad capable of handling all circumstances is fundamental, and we have players with the necessary abilities.”

It is widely expected that Cunha, who assisted against Manchester City and scored against Arsenal, will take Doku’s place in the starting lineup for Manchester United.

Carrick also hinted that Mason Mount could serve as another super substitute: “I’m a big fan of Mason. He has many admirable qualities: his talent, attitude, and personality. So, at specific moments and matches, certain players will be chosen. These plans will unfold as the season progresses. I really like Mason; he is a very important player for the team and the club.”

Dutch central defender De Ligt was expected to resume training this week, but his back injury has relapsed, keeping him out of action. This injury has already sidelined him for two months. Carrick stated: “De Ligt has not yet trained with us. The medical staff is doing everything possible to get him back quickly.”

However, De Ligt’s Dutch teammate Zirkzee’s calf problem has been resolved, and he is likely to be on the bench against Fulham. Carrick said: “Joshua has returned to training, which is good news. Although he missed some time, this is his first training session since joining Manchester United. Having him back is great.”

Manchester United previously achieved consecutive wins against strong teams Manchester City and Arsenal. However, Carrick warned players that underestimating Fulham would be foolish. Lower-ranked teams present different challenges, and one of United’s issues this season has been failing to win these types of matches.

Carrick said: “I don’t think we need to dwell on the past too much. We are where we are now, and we must approach the next game based on the team’s atmosphere, our results, and performances. Past problems are less relevant now; we have learned what works and what doesn’t. In fact, I believe the players are in good shape. It will be a tough match and a big challenge. Marco Silva has transformed Fulham into a strong team.”

The United manager added: “Suddenly, this will be a different game. The opponent is Fulham, and although we are playing at home, we must not take things lightly. The pace of the game may be similar to the last two weeks, which is not surprising. We will take the match seriously and do everything possible to win.”

Carrick hopes his team can maintain consistency. “Consistency is key to success, but it’s also one of the hardest things to achieve. It requires maintaining a certain level of performance, the right mentality, high concentration, and emotional stability through the ups and downs of matches, then quickly refocusing on the next game. There are many factors involved, and that’s what we strive for. United has had good results in the past two weeks, but two important games are coming up. The key is to keep the right mindset and give our best effort in each match.”

Lisandro Martinez recently had verbal clashes with Manchester United legends Scholes and Butt, and the Red Devils are not favored to finish in the top five and return to the Champions League. Carrick believes this might not be a bad thing.

Carrick said: “You have to fully use emotion, passion, and excitement to drive the game. That’s what we emphasize. Tactics and technique are important, but so are these aspects. Whether in training, matches, or other activities, players give their all to meet our demands. Lisandro’s performances stand out daily and during matches, proving this clearly. We know the current results come from hard work. Although the last two weeks have been good, it’s still not enough. We must continue, respect football, and understand what it takes to win. We must remember Fulham is a strong opponent, and that’s what really demands our attention.”