Manchester United will try to defeat Fulham this afternoon in order to win five straight.

Since the manager’s arrival, Bruno Fernandes has been Erik ten Hag’s main player in this matchup, netting four goals in four games against Marco Silva’s team.

United Fulham Premier League Fernandes Man McGuire
Luke Shaw, who is expected to miss virtually the whole season owing to a leg injury, will not participate at all when the Red Devils skipper leads his team tomorrow.

Since Tyrell Malacia is currently out due to injury and Sergio Reguilon left the team in January after a brief loan period, United does not have a left back in the lineup. As a result, the former Ajax manager may opt to use a slightly unconventional back four.

How Man Utd may take Luke Shaw’s place

Ten Hag used Victor Lindelof to go in at left-back, an unusual position, when Shaw was substituted at halftime against Aston Villa and just before the half against Luton Town.

Given his lack of speed, athleticism, or physicality, Fulham could exploit this right-footed center-half position on Saturday, just like the Hatters did over the weekend.

United Premier League – Lindelof, Man. – Newcastle
The Swedish defender was exposed in the second half of the match, both on and off the ball, as seen by his 50% pass accuracy, 0 won duels, and yellow card for an impetuous challenge.

Lindelof constantly looks to come inside on his right foot, which leaves the squad very open to pressure from the press. This makes the passing game a major worry.

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But there is a player who journalist Julien Laurens has called “super talented” who may enter the team and improve both Lindelof and the left-back position at the same time.

Why Willy Kambwala ought to start against Fulham

Ten Hag has already given 19-year-old Willy Kambwala some first-team experience this season; the French defender has made four appearances in all competitions.

Manchester United’s Willy Kambwala
The highly-regarded gem is a center-back by trade, but he has been substituted on as a right-back in his previous two games, where he has quietly impressed while playing a little bit behind the scenes.

Kambwala demonstrated his outstanding defensive skills, physicality, and dominance in just eight minutes against Newport County in the FA Cup. He won five of his six duels, including all four of his aerial clashes, and made two clearances in addition to one tackle.

In the 2-0 away loss to West Ham United, the United youth product also made his Premier League debut. Despite the difficult travel, he had an excellent performance for someone of his experience.

He did, however, display a different aspect of his game during that game that might fit him for the right-back position this weekend. His confidence on the ball and ball retention stood out. His key metrics from that match are displayed in the table below.

West Ham vs. Kambwala

Statistics

Kambwala

Minutes

84

completed passes

78

Accuracy pass

90%

Feels

95

Verifications

3.

Statistics sourced from Sofascore

Diogo Dalot, the normal right-back under Ten Hag’s supervision, would shift to left-back if Kambwala was included in the starting lineup. Dalot is a Portugal international.

Long-term, neither Lindelof nor Kambwala can solve Ten Hag’s Shaw problem, but the youthful player may be considerably more suited to start at full-back than the seasoned Swede.