The match between Manchester United F.C. and Fulham F.C. was one of the most talked-about games this week. Fans were super excited to see how both teams would line up. Why? Because both sides had new signings, returning stars, and some surprising changes.
In this article, we’ll break down the Manchester United vs Fulham lineups in a very simple and fun way. Whether you’re a big fan or just getting into football, this guide will help you understand who played, how they played, and why it matters. Let’s get started!
Starting Lineups: Who Played From the Start?
Let’s first look at the players who started the match.
For Manchester United F.C., their starting XI included:
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Goalkeeper: Altay Bayindir
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Defence: Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Luke Shaw
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Wing-backs: Amad and Patrick Dorgu
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Midfield: Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes (Captain)
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Attack: Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Matheus Cunha
They used a 3-4-3 formation, which means three defenders, four in the middle, and three in attack. It’s a bold setup and shows they were aiming to score.
For Fulham F.C., their starting team had:
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Goalkeeper: Bernd Leno (Captain)
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Defence: Kenny Tete, Joachim Andersen, Calvin Bassey, Timothy Castagne
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Midfield: Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge
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Attacking Midfielders: Ryan Sessegnon, Josh King, and Alex Iwobi
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Striker: Rodrigo Muniz
Fulham used a 4-2-3-1 formation, which gives balance. They could defend strong and still hit back fast with counter-attacks.
Big Names in the Manchester United Lineup
Manchester United had some big names in their starting team, and fans were thrilled. Bruno Fernandes, as always, led the team with passion and energy. He’s the kind of player who controls the game and leads by example.
Casemiro also started in midfield. He’s great at breaking up the other team’s attack and giving his teammates more space to move forward. His calm style is what Manchester United needed in this big game.
And then came the fresh faces. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were both in the front three. These are exciting new signings for the club. Cunha is quick, tricky, and always looking for a chance to shoot. Mbeumo is fast and creative — the kind of player who makes defenders nervous.
Also, Leny Yoro, a young defender, was chosen to start. That’s a big deal, as it shows the club is trusting new talent on big days.
Fulham F.C. Lineup: Who Made the Cut?
Fulham’s team had a mix of experience and new talent. Bernd Leno, their goalkeeper and captain, is known for making big saves. He’s one of the reasons Fulham always stays strong at the back.
Joachim Andersen and Calvin Bassey were in central defence. These two are tough, strong, and not afraid to block shots. On the sides, they had Kenny Tete and Timothy Castagne, who love to run up and down the pitch.
In midfield, Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic started. These two are smart players who can pass well and help defend. They were there to stop Manchester United from controlling the game.
Up front, Alex Iwobi, Ryan Sessegnon, and Josh King were the attacking midfielders behind striker Rodrigo Muniz. This setup gave Fulham speed and skill in attack. Muniz, the main striker, is strong and knows how to finish chances inside the box.
Team Formations: How Both Teams Lined Up
Now let’s talk about how the two teams set up their shape on the field.
Manchester United F.C. went with a 3-4-3 formation. This means:
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Three centre-backs holding the backline.
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Two wing-backs (Amad and Dorgu) who helped both in defense and attack.
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Casemiro and Fernandes worked the midfield.
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And up front, Mbeumo, Mount, and Cunha made the attacking trio.
This formation is bold. It gives you lots of attacking power, but you need wing-backs to do a lot of running. If they don’t help defend, the team can be left open at the back.
Fulham F.C. played in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which is a classic setup. It looked like this:
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Four defenders across the back.
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Two defensive midfielders sitting in front of them to protect.
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Three attacking midfielders behind the striker.
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One main striker (Muniz) leading the line.
This shape helped Fulham stay compact and organized. It allowed them to defend well but also break forward quickly when they won the ball.
What Each Player Was Meant to Do
Each player had a special role in this game. Let’s go through what the coaches expected from them.
For Manchester United:
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Bayindir was told to stay alert and make smart saves.
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Yoro, de Ligt, and Shaw were there to keep Fulham’s attackers quiet.
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Amad and Dorgu needed to run fast on the sides, help attack, but also rush back to defend.
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Casemiro was the protector — breaking up plays and helping his defenders.
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Fernandes was the playmaker — always looking to pass, shoot, or create.
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Mbeumo, Cunha, and Mount worked together to press, pass, and score.
For Fulham:
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Leno led from the back and kept the team organized.
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Andersen and Bassey stayed close to the striker and blocked any danger.
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Castagne and Tete played wide — stopping wingers but also joining the attack.
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Lukic and Berge kept the midfield steady.
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Sessegnon, Iwobi, and King tried to create chances and stretch United’s defense.
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Muniz stayed up top, always ready for a goal.
Both teams had clear plans. One wanted to attack and press hard. The other wanted to stay smart, defend well, and hit back when possible.
Substitutions: Who Came On and Changed the Game?
As the game went on, both teams made changes to freshen things up.
For Manchester United, some big names came off, and young players came in. Amad was replaced by Benjamin Sesko early in the second half. Later in the game, Yoro and Shaw were taken off and replaced by Harry Maguire and Logan Heaven — a young defender with a bright future. These changes were made to keep the backline strong and deal with Fulham’s growing pressure.
Fulham F.C. made smart moves too. The biggest change was bringing on Emile Smith Rowe. He scored just minutes after coming on! His goal helped Fulham level the game and gave them hope. Other changes included Harry Wilson and Antonee Robinson, who added speed and balance.
These substitutions played a big role in how the match ended. It showed how important the bench can be — not just the starters.
Who Was on the Bench? Hidden Strengths
The bench for both teams was full of talent and fresh legs.
Manchester United F.C. had strong backup options like:
They also had youngsters like Logan Heaven, who is already showing promise as a future first-team regular.
Fulham’s bench included:
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Smith Rowe, who turned out to be the game-changer
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Raúl Jiménez, a strong and experienced striker
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Tom Cairney, the reliable midfielder
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And more solid players like Traoré, Robinson, and Reed
These benches gave both teams lots of choices. Having strong players ready to jump in is super important — especially in tight games like this one.
New Signings: First Starts and Debuts
This match was extra special because it featured some new signings in the starting lineups.
For Manchester United, two major signings played from the start:
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Matheus Cunha, signed from Wolves, looked sharp and energetic.
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Bryan Mbeumo, a big-money buy from Brentford, was very active on the wing.
Both players showed why they were brought in. Cunha hit the post in the first half, almost scoring early. Mbeumo helped deliver a dangerous corner that led to United’s goal (even if it bounced in off Fulham).
These new faces brought speed, creativity, and new energy to the team.
Fulham didn’t start many brand-new signings in this game, but Smith Rowe, who joined last season, is still fresh in the squad and showed how valuable he is.
Shocking Lineup Choices Nobody Expected
There were a few surprises in both lineups that fans didn’t see coming.
For Manchester United, some were shocked that Onana didn’t start in goal. Instead, Altay Bayindir got the nod again. Also, having Leny Yoro, a teenager, start in defense for such a big match was bold — but it paid off.
Another surprise was seeing Amad Diallo playing as a wing-back. Normally, he plays in attack, so this was a big role switch.
On Fulham’s side, fans were surprised to see Sessegnon starting, as he hadn’t played much lately. Also, some expected Raúl Jiménez to start instead of Rodrigo Muniz, but Muniz was trusted as the lone striker.
These small surprises gave the match some extra drama before it even kicked off!
Quick Stats About the Lineups
Let’s look at some quick and fun stats about the Manchester United vs Fulham lineups:
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Manchester United’s average age was around 25 years — a mix of young and experienced players.
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Fulham’s team was slightly older, with many players in their prime.
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The youngest player on the field was Leny Yoro.
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The oldest starter was Bernd Leno, Fulham’s goalkeeper and captain.
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Most experienced? Probably Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, who have played many big games across Europe.
These stats show that both teams had a strong mix of youth and leadership.
What the Coaches Were Thinking
After the game, it was clear that both coaches had strong plans.
Rúben Amorim, Manchester United’s manager, chose a brave lineup with new players and young defenders. He wanted the team to press high, attack quickly, and take control early. For the most part, it worked — especially in the first half.
Marco Silva, Fulham’s boss, trusted his usual shape and gave players like Smith Rowe and Robinson a chance off the bench. His smart substitutions changed the game. That shows his experience and ability to read the flow of the match.
Both managers had different plans, but both teams played well. The lineups were a big reason why the game ended the way it did.
Bottom-Line
This match was a great example of how much lineups matter in football. The choices made before the game — and during the game — helped shape the result.
Manchester United F.C. had the better start and more new talent on the field. Players like Cunha and Yoro brought fresh energy. But they couldn’t hold the lead.
Fulham F.C., on the other hand, stayed patient. Their manager made the right changes at the right time, and their players delivered when it counted. Smith Rowe’s equalizer showed how important bench strength is.
So, what’s the final message? A good starting XI is important — but so is having the right players ready to come in and change the game.
If you enjoyed this breakdown of the Manchester United vs Fulham lineups, stay tuned for more match insights coming soon!
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