Sutton's predictions: Fulham v Man Utdpublished at 11:00 BST 20 September
11:00 BST 20 September
Watching Fulham draw at Anfield last weekend changed my view on them.
I had not seen Alvaro Arbeloa's side over 90 minutes before and, while their other results were poor, this time they were excellent.
They cut through Liverpool and had some nice patterns of play, but also defended well too. Arbeloa said afterwards that they played with more balance and I think that is a good way to describe their display.
Then I went to Manchester United's defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and their performance was very poor.
Michael Carrick really needs a response with a win here to take into the international break, but how can I give United a chance after the way the Seagulls absolutely dismantled them?
Three times in the past four seasons, United have gone to Craven Cottage and nicked the win late on, but I can't make a case for that happening.
As well as having problems up front, United are struggling defensively and I can see Fulham creating plenty of opportunities against them too.
Fulham v Man Utd: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:37 BST 19 September
13:37 BST 19 September
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Manchester United travel to Fulham on Sunday with both sides in desperate need of a win going into the lengthy international break.
The Red Devils, who were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday, have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already eight points adrift of the early pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Brighton defeat rounded off a difficult few days for United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side were insipid in the Manchester derby loss to 10-man City last Sunday. Throw in the uncertainty over academy star JJ Gabriel's future and Carrick is in dire need of three points on the road in west London.
The good news for him is that United's recent record against Fulham is outstanding; they have lost just once in the past 21 league meetings between the two sides, winning 16 and drawing four.
Should Sesko start?
The only out-and-out centre-forward at Carrick's disposal, Benjamin Sesko, has been used as a substitute in the four league games so far, scoring once off the bench against Everton.
With his team drawing blanks in two of those four games, there are calls for the Slovenia striker to start at Craven Cottage, having netted a stoppage-time winner against the same opposition at Old Trafford last season.
The Red Devils have had more shots than any other top-flight side across the first four matchdays of this season, but aren't among the division's top four scorers. So far, only Brighton (10.2) have accumulated a higher xG than United's 8.3.
Although Sesko struggled to make an impact midweek against Brighton, he is fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained in early May, so Carrick may turn to the club's joint-top scorer from last season in the hope he can convert some of the many shots United are creating.
Fears for Fulham
Winless Fulham find themselves in the relegation zone after four games, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa cursing his luck just two months into the job.
The Spaniard's side, currently 18th, were booed off at Craven Cottage after a third successive league defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 September. All three have come via a one-goal margin.
A draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday and a 3-2 midweek win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup have given the Fulham faithful some cause for optimism, though - as has Josh King's continued good form.
King, still only 19, is the Cottagers' top league scorer with two goals and the Londoner has his sights set on a senior England call-up this season. He was one of four youngsters to feature in Thomas Tuchel's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Ethan Nwaneri.
Since the start of last season, when he cemented his place in the Fulham side, the only teenager to make more appearances than King in Europe's top five leagues is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £107m last month.
On 1 February, the last time the two teams met, late goals from Raul Jimenez and Kevin threatened to earn Fulham a point, before Benjamin Sesko's late winner.
That result triggered a worrying collapse in form – since then, the only ever-present side in the division to win fewer points than Fulham are Tottenham. It is a rut Arbeloa must urgently get out of.
Carrick detaches himself from Man Utd media frenzypublished at 17:22 BST 18 September
17:22 BST 18 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is not one to court headlines.
He doesn't talk in soundbites or offer glib or sarcastic answers.
He gives thought to his answers, just as, I suspect, he gives thought to ways he might be able to improve his team's fortunes after a difficult week.
It was fascinating to hear him in his news conference give context to two bad home defeats by Manchester City and Brighton. He is refusing to get swept along by the sense of panic that has gripped many United fans, who are looking for someone to blame after a poor start to the season.
"Blame me," Carrick told reporters. It doesn't make much difference to him. Back-to-back defeats might send the wider United fan base into meltdown and generate huge debate across the spectrum of media forums, but the United boss doesn't see it. He focuses on the job in hand.
"It's not a catastrophe. It is two games," he added.
Carrick said he wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than Manchester United. He called them "a great club". It is also a crazy one at times.
Even if they fail to win at Fulham on Sunday, he won't go overboard. But on the basis if his side lose they will be subjected to three weeks of analysis, winning is probably a better option.
Carrick on team news, belief and his future not being 'on the radar'published at 15:36 BST 18 September
15:36 BST 18 September
Tasnim Chowdhury BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Carrick said "there is a chance" for defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Carlos Baleba to feature on Sunday, although he is not "100%". He added Shaw's injury is short-term and they are working towards the game.
The United boss said "we are always learning" after two matches without a win, and added a season is not always "going to go to plan" but it is how you react, stay focussed and "believe you will come through it", which he insisted he is confident about.
Asked about the Stretford End boos following their League Cup defeat by Brighton, he responded: "It's not that I don't feel the emotion of losing matches, but it doesn't affect how I think about what we need to do next. That is the most important thing."
He added Manchester United is "the best place for me to be" and it "100%" feels like a great club: "The key for us it to stay focused, stay on track, understanding it can happen, as much as we don't like it. The fact it's happened in the first cluster of the season, it's maybe seen a little bit different. But I was expecting a spell we had to work through. We are in that now and we will find our way through."
He believes things need to be put into perspective and "it is not the end of the world". He also said the club are not in a place where they have gone on a long run of "horrific results", adding: "The good things we've done get lost in the surrounding feeling but they don't get lost by us."
Carrick spoke of how the club's owners might view things, but it is "irrelevant" for him as he knows the club and his role and what is expected of him: "In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got, it's totally nothing. It's ridiculous to think that way in the position I'm in, it's just not on the radar. I understand the things we need to achieve and where we are as a football club."
On 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel's current situation: "He's a young boy, it's important we don't play anything out here. The exposure and scrutiny, we have to be careful, be sensible and think of him as much as anything. The situation will work itself out. Making sure he's OK is an important thing."
Gabriel to miss Man Utd's PL2 gamepublished at 10:34 BST 18 September
10:34 BST 18 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
JJ Gabriel will not be involved in Manchester United's Premier League 2 encounter with Brentford at Leigh Sports Village on Friday evening.
The 15-year-old has scored in both of United's matches in the competition this season. He marked his debut at that level by lifting the ball over the Ipswich goalkeeper from 20 yards on 24 August, before brilliantly turning inside the penalty area, beating a man, and applying the finish in a 4-1 win over Leicester seven days later.
It was those goals that fuelled a belief Gabriel would be involved in United's opening Champions League game against Azerbaijan champions Sabah. Michael Carrick had been present in person for the first and senior United coaching staff were at the second.
As it turned out, Gabriel was not placed on the A list of players for the competition, which was the only way someone under 16 could feature. United won the game 4-0 and Carrick used all five substitutes by 72 minutes.
This chain of events is understood to have been one of the major triggers for Gabriel to take the course of action he has, although there had been issues before that.
The forward is no longer training at the club and, while United sources believe the situation can be resolved, sources close to Gabriel have a different view and do not believe he will play for the club again.
Gabriel's precise whereabouts are unknown, and it is thought unlikely he will be chosen in any of England's age group teams when they are revealed on Friday.
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).
Is calm Carrick getting flustered?published at 10:09 BST 18 September
10:09 BST 18 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick likes to project a calm persona.
It is one of the reasons why he was an attractive option to step into the head coach role on a temporary basis following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim in January.
He said he was "not bothered" by the pressure coming on him following the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on Wednesday.
What he definitely is bothered about is the fact United have lost their past two games in alarming fashion, have only collected four points from their first four games and look a shadow of the side that secured a return to the Champions League with 12 wins in his 17 games in charge last term.
Fulham away comes up on Sunday, followed by a three-week international break, and Carrick needs to come up with some answers.
Will he have any when he speaks to the media this lunchtime? It will be interesting to see how relaxed he is for a start.
Come back to this page later on Friday for all the key lines from Carrick's news conference.
'I give Gabriel all the right in the world to decide his own destiny'published at 18:24 BST 17 September
18:24 BST 17 September
Image source, Getty Images
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague says he understands why JJ Gabriel wants to "look around and see who else would be interested" in the same way Martin Odegaard did before his move to Real Madrid as a 16-year-old.
Odegaard, now the Arsenal captain, moved to Madrid in 2015 from Norwegian side Stromsgodset amid interest from European giants, including Bayern Munich and both Manchester clubs.
On the potential move, Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast: "I could see it happening. It's a fascinating story and it's got so many angles.
"The machine of a football club is so big that what you're getting now is a whole campaign against JJ and against his dad.
"Why not do a bit like [Martin] Odegaard did and look around and see who else would be interested?
"Real Madrid are obviously not the only club that would want him, but there is a path for 15 or 16-year-old players who arrive at Real Madrid to get somewhere. If not Real Madrid, then other teams with quality.
"With that path that is quite clear, perhaps it is a better solution than him staying at Manchester United. It feels like there is a bit of a war going on and the player will, in the eyes of many, be the loser.
"I give him all the right in the world to decide his own destiny."
'Things can very quickly spiral against you at Man Utd'published at 15:54 BST 17 September
15:54 BST 17 September
Image source, Getty Images
"We can't be in a position like that and lose a game in that manner," said Michael Carrick, after Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup against Brighton, but BBC Radio 5 Live's John Murray believes he "needs results - and quickly" to relieve any pressure.
Carrick added: "I understand the frustrations and the disappointments. I accept that, that is on me. It will need to be better than that [in the future]."
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily, chief football correspondent Murray analysed Carrick's post-match comments: "Those quotes could have been from any of the managers since Sir Alex Ferguson. They have all come out with something similar to: 'We have got to show our spirit, I know they have got it, we have got to find it for Sunday'.
"[Carrick] needs results - and quickly - otherwise, as he himself pointed out, things can very quickly spiral against you at Manchester United."
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "I echo everything that John said. Michael Carrick knows he is at a big club.
"Even though he did a fantastic job last season, he knows that you are judged on this season. Everything in football moves forward, nothing can stand still.
"This is a massive game at the weekend now [against Fulham]. A club like Manchester United cannot go into the international break losing three games in a row."
Mark: United were simply all over the place. Slow to the ball, constantly losing possession and not hungry. My brother asked my why some players go to play for United? My answer was why do United go for some players! They simply are not good enough to put on that red shirt. Awful performance no matter what the manager mumbles.
Peter: Majorly disappointing. The signs were there after we scored the second goal. Subs were needed at half-time but didn't happen. Momentum against us now, derby loss, JJ debacle, now this.
Ian: They were all dreadful - no passion, too predictable. The lack of marking for the Brighton second goal was astonishing.
James: An entirely predictable start to the season after such an underwhelming transfer window. This summer was an opportunity to show intent and build on the promise of last season. Instead, whilst our rivals splashed the cash on established quality, we "rebuilt" our midfield with a squad player and two for the future. The decision to ignore the left-back position completely looks more baffling by the day. A very long season ahead.
John: Rubbish, 2-0 up, sat back and let Brighton run the game, a very professional performance from a much better team.
Brighton fans
Sid: For 75 minutes, Brighton were by far the better team and could have won by a couple more. Another masterclass from coach Fabian Hurzeler and a superb performance from Pascal Gross. He just seems to get better and better with age.
Yorkshire Seagull: After a slow start, a brilliant performance. United couldn't handle the high press. Gross was supreme and marshalled his team, and Jason Steele demonstrated why he is so valuable to us and respected by the fans.
Bob: Usual chaotic start for us, which is a bit worrying as it is happening too often. We gave the ball away too easily but stuck with our gameplan and started to challenge every ball and win. Pascal was brilliant and inspired the rest of the team, who responded with a terrific performance.
Matthew: Some more sloppy mistakes playing out early on were punished, but from then on we dominated and were deserved winners with standout performances from Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas. Hurzeler's team selection and subs were outstanding.
Brian: Took too long to warm up but when they did they never looked as if they were beaten and deserved the win. What a comeback!
Carrick needs Man Utd's players to step uppublished at 11:42 BST 17 September
11:42 BST 17 September
Simon Stone Manchester United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It was typical of Michael Carrick that when it was put to him in the aftermath of Manchester United's latest defeat in what has become a torrid start to the season, he should turn the narrative around so the responsibility for the 3-2 loss to Brighton fell on him.
"No, listen, the team's on me," he said. "When we win, people say I'm doing a good job, so if we don't win or don't get results, then a lot of it's on me. I accept that. I'm not hiding away from any of that."
There is no sense at this point United's hierarchy are losing faith with Carrick.
They only gave him a two-year contract in May, so it would represent a startling U-turn if they were, even if the nature of two home defeats in four days - to a Manchester City side reduced to 10 men in the first half, and a Brighton team who became the first in over 50 years to win at Old Trafford after trailing by two goals - is acknowledged by everyone, including Carrick, to be poor.
Instead, the feeling is the players need to step up, both individually and as a team, as performances have not been good enough.
A number of key players - Matheus Cunha and Diogo Dalot are obvious examples but there are others - are way below last year's form. Their most expensive summer recruit, £70m Carlos Baleba, is unlikely to be fit until after the forthcoming international break. Andrey Santos is yet to settle following his £48m move from Chelsea, while Youri Tielemans has not found form yet either after his switch from Aston Villa.
Marcus Rashford has looked lively on his return after 18 months away from the club - but is yet to score.
The decision not to sign a left-back has already been exposed by the injury that has kept Luke Shaw out for three games, with neither Patrick Dorgu nor Noussair Mazraoui convincing in his place.
As ever, results can change narratives.
Win at Fulham on Sunday and a three-week international break offers the chance to reset after a difficult, but not catastrophic, start to the season. Lose and the period that follows will be filled with external debate, with the loudest voices belonging to Carrick's former team-mates.
United have a good record at Craven Cottage. Carrick needs to make sure it continues.
A section of United fans made their feelings clear with boos at full-time, with Michael Carrick's team having taken just two wins from six games in all competitions this season.
"Michael Carrick is incredibly experienced," McAnuff told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "He will know the results haven't been anywhere near good enough this season and he will be concerned.
"You cannot win football games if you are conceding two or more goals every week - that is a big problem.
"Everybody at Brighton was on the same page but Manchester United were the complete opposite of that tonight. There were times when Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven were on the ball but had no options. There was a real lack of cohesion and togetherness."
Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison added: "The fans were not happy. It was a disappointing performance which they could have lost by more goals, to be fair.
"We can't just throw everything at Michael Carrick. We have to remember the job he did last season when Ruben Amorim was struggling.
"He obviously made changes to give some of his squad players a chance, but it just goes to show that his squad players are not good enough at the moment to have an influence.
"They are conceding goals in the Premier League as well. I don't think the issue is tactical. At the end of the day, they just haven't got it right at the moment."
Gossip: Shaw could leave Man Utd next summerpublished at 07:16 BST 17 September
07:16 BST 17 September
Luke Shaw could leave Manchester United next summer, with no indication of contract discussions between the club and defender at present. (Mail – subscription required, external)
Meanwhile midfielder Noah Ajayi, 17, is close to signing his first professional contract with United. (Sky Sports, external)
