Manchester United, fresh off their return from international football last weekend, will visit Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday still looking for a win. It was not a good start for United as they were defeated 3-0 by Manchester City at Old Trafford last Saturday.

The holders were shocked by Newcastle United, the winners of the previous season, in another 3-0 loss at the Theatre of Dreams on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup. The players for United appear to have either lost their minds or forgotten how to play football. They are the ones who brought this on.

Under Erik ten Hag, United finds itself in a comparable situation to that of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Ralf Rangnick. However, if the Glazers and the club’s management are the only constants, then the manager cannot bear full blame.

Predicted Manchester United Starting XI – 4-3-3

Onana;

Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon;

Fernandes, Amrabat, Eriksen;

Mount, Hojlund, Garnacho

Goalkeeper: Onana

This season, United has given up 26 goals across all competitions, and Andre Onana has had a horrible time in goal. United has given up six goals in their last two games at Old Trafford, losing 3-0 to both Manchester City and Newcastle United.

Since it is ultimately them who represent the club on the field and Erik ten Hag, the manager, seems to be the only one getting criticism from fans and the media, United must begin investing in the hunger age resolve to lead the team ahead.

If the club does not bring back David De Gea, who was rumored to be returning in the New Year, then perhaps it is time to blood in Altay Bayindir, who will be required to play for the club in the new year with Onana representing Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations.

Defenders: Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon

This season, United’s defense has to get significantly better. They have little hope of keeping the trophy they won the previous season after their disastrous performance and goals surrendered have forced them to quit the Carabao Cup. Sergio Reguilon and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ought to start.

Wan-Bissaka’s return to the team will benefit United by adding depth to both the attack and defense. On Wednesday night, Reguilon outperformed Newcastle, which is quite an accomplishment considering that he is now on loan from Spurs.

Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane might play in the middle of defense, which could bolster it—a defense that is sorely required given that United has lost more games than won this season. Ten Hag is under pressure to make this weekend’s club event a success.

Midfield: Fernandes, Amrabat, Eriksen

Across the board, the playing team for United needs significant development in the midfield this season. It appears that United cannot seem to get the fundamentals right, which may be attributed to either the players’ lack of drive or the management, which is hard to accept.

Bruno Fernandes must be a strong team leader who inspires the most in his colleagues. Based on his achievements for club and nation since joining United, the Portuguese midfielder is among the finest in Europe; but, his lack of recent on-field output is concerning.

Given their contributions to the team this season, Christian Eriksen and Sofyan Amrabat ought to start in the middle of the field against Fulham. This season, both players have shown creativity, and when paired with Fernandes, they could offer United something.

Forwards: Mount, Hojlund, Garnacho

In the past two games, United’s attacking line has produced nothing. There have been no goals scored by United. The strikers Rasmus Hojlund needs to put balls in the back of the net have not been coming through. That’s what the fundamentals of football are missing at United.

Mason Mount has been the main midfield player for United this season, but since players like Antony aren’t doing well on the right wing, it would be an opportunity for him to play there and maybe show off his greatest qualities for United by creating and possibly even scoring goals.

Alejandro Garnacho is a productive player for United, and this kind of play is necessary to bring out the best in this group. United needs improvement since Marcus Rashford has not been doing well this season. Perhaps Garnacho would seize the opportunity to excel for United.

Substitutes: Bayindir; Lindelof, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo, Hannibal; Martial, Rashford, Antony

Against Fulham, United will start one substitute on the bench. During the course of the game, five of those can be employed. Granted, until they make an attempt, United’s players don’t appear to be able to alter the course of the match from the bench. Nor do they have any players on the field to do so.

Altay Bayindir will probably start the match as a reserve goalkeeper against Fulham, but he soon gets the opportunity to play for United. Should they be needed, Victor Lindelof and Diogo Dalot might play defense for United. United now has a small defense, but that will change this month.United should have Hannibal, Kobbie Mainoo, and Scott McTominay in the midfield; if anyone on the field isn’t performing up to par, Hannibal can step in. Even though none of them seem to be producing much, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and Antony should be United’s top three attackers.