Man United take on Fulham on the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon and our authors have named their favorite starting XI.
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Manchester United will hope to wrap up a successful Premier League campaign with a win when they host Fulham on the final day of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United broke into the top four and qualified for next season's Champions League with an all-out 4-1 win over Chelsea on Thursday night. Despite an unusual defensive performance in the first half, goals from Casemiro, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford on either side of the first half got the job done without much fanfare.
That means the pressure will ease with Fulham as the Under-16 guest, although the Reds still need a win to secure third place against Newcastle United. The two teams are currently separated from Newcastle with a superior goal difference.
But with the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley less than a week away, United boss Erik ten Hag could make the decision to rotate his pack and save some of his senior figures for lighthouse event in the capital.
Our writers had opinions on how United should line up against Fulham... Samuel Luckhurst
No matter how well United rank above Newcastle, they need to turn around before the FA Cup final. Raphael Varane needs rest and there could also be some changes in defence, especially with Luke Shaw's injury.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are unlikely to start as they should not have faced Reading in the FA Cup in January. Today is the only day Scott McTominay and Fred reunite.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho could start and Jadon Sancho should be considered on the right wing against Man City, so it would make sense to throw him back there. Fernandes might have an hour.
Injuries are starting to haunt United ahead of the FA Cup final so they have to be careful on the final day of the season. Surely that means Varane has to take a break, as he can learn from nowhere. Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof and Malacia can start in defence.
In midfield, Casemiro and Eriksen also deserve a break. McTominay needs to start after coming back from injury and I think Fred will most likely start in the national cup final, so updating him this week would make a lot of sense. Fernandes loves to play, is in good form and should leave again.
Garnacho was also started after three lively appearances on the bench. He will have more minutes in his feet before playing a supporting role at Wembley. Sancho looks good on the right wing on Thursday so he can start there in Antony's absence and Rashford can start in the middle. I'll give him an hour before we bring Weghorst.
With a top 4 spot in the bag and the FA Cup final just six days away, Ten Hag must try to make some changes. The Reds have been through a packed schedule for most of the season and this looks like the ideal opportunity for the coach to make some changes.
The likes of Wan-Bissaka, Varane and Shaw will all benefit from a break ahead of the clash with Man City, i.e. Dalot, Maguire and Malacia
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