Erik ten Hag explains team selection vs Fulham as Omari Forson starts

Manchester United are in action again this weekend as they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s men searching for a fifth consecutive win in the Premier League.

United won a dramatic affair at Luton Town last weekend, with Rasmus Hojlund scoring twice to secure three huge points in the race to finish in the Champions League places.

Ten Hag was, however, dealt troubling news in the days that followed as both Luke Shaw and Hojlund have been ruled out for three months and three weeks respectively.

In Hojlund’s absence, Ten Hag has called upon youngster Omari Forson to start and speaking ahead of the game, the manager has explained some of the thinking behind his selection.

“We have to replace Rasmus Hojlund and then you look at what is the best balance for this game, then the progression and development of the players and what they are showing during training sessions,” Ten Hag is quoted as saying by the BBC.

“He [Forson] came twice lately in games against Newport and Wolves. Against Wolves he had a very good moment where he was decisive in making Kobbie Mainoo’s goal so he deserve to play and of course now he has to show it. But he proved it when he came on as a sub and in training.”

United could cut the gap to the top four to just two points if results go their way this weekend and five straight wins would almost certainly confirm that a corner has been turned.

Hopefully, the loss of Hojlund, who was in sparkling form after scoring seven goals in six Premier League appearances, won’t be too apparent today.