Manchester United prepares for their upcoming Premier League match against Fulham at Old Trafford on February 1. Interim head coach Michael Carrick has led the team to impressive victories since taking over, including a 2-0 win against Manchester City and a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Arsenal. However, the team faces significant challenges as they will be missing several key players due to injury.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Carrick confirmed that midfielder Patrick Dorgu will require time to recover after sustaining an injury during the match against Arsenal. While the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain, Carrick expressed disappointment over Dorgu’s condition, stating, “Pat unfortunately is going to be out for a period of time. We weren’t sure if it was a little bit of cramp or something more serious, but at the moment it looks a little bit more serious.” Dorgu’s potential return is estimated for late February, a significant loss for the team given his recent form.
On a more positive note, forward Joshua Zirkzee has resumed training and may be available for selection against Fulham. Carrick mentioned, “Josh is back training this week, which is good news. He has been out for a short amount of time, and it’s great to have him back.” His availability could provide a much-needed boost to the squad, although it is unclear whether Carrick will integrate him back into the team immediately.
Defender Matthijs De Ligt continues to recover from a back injury that has kept him sidelined since November. Carrick provided an update on De Ligt’s progress, noting, “De Ligt is not training with us yet. We’re working through the process to get him back as soon as we can.” There is no set date for his potential return, but the team is hopeful for his recovery in February.
As Manchester United looks to maintain their momentum in the league, the absence of key players adds an element of unpredictability to their upcoming match against Fulham. The club’s depth will be tested as they aim to secure another victory in front of their home crowd.
