Manchester United’s turnaround in 2024 was paused this weekend when Fulham came to Old Trafford and collected all three points by way of a stoppage-time winner.
Prior to the London club’s visit, United had won each of their last four games in the Premier League and it looked like Erik ten Hag’s men had turned a corner.
But the performance against Fulham was one of the worst of the season and Marco Silva’s men thoroughly deserved the win.
In the days leading up to the game, it was revealed that Rasmus Hojlund would be on the sidelines for the next three weeks and that meant that Omari Forson was handed his first start for the Reds.
Marcus Rashford was moved into the middle, with Forson occupying the right wing. Amad Diallo, another promising youngster, was introduced as a late substitute.
Speaking ahead of this week’s trip to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, Ten Hag discussed his right-wing options and named Forson and Diallo as two players they will need.
“I think it was reasonable. He (Forson) had some good actions. He was reliable in defending and had some good actions in possession. I saw, for his first time, he did well,” Ten Hag told the BBC, via the official Manchester United website.
“Amad looks very sharp,” he continued. “I think it was a good sub [performance] from him. I think that’s good for the future. We need them (Diallo and Forson) because we have our problems in the frontline. So it’s about them, to show they can contribute to this team, that they can have an end product but also to show liability.”
As the manager points out, United will need them as the neverending injury situation at the club continues to plague the season.
The lack of depth has been United’s downfall this season and although there are promising youngsters that can fill the gap, it is not a sustainable method.
