Manchester United team news: Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly face late injury tests of Fulham clash

United will arrange late fitness checks for several players ahead of Saturday's clash with Fulham

Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are among the players that could be absent for Manchester United against Fulham.

The trio will be assessed on Friday, as will centre-back Eric Bailly after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. Luke Shaw is hoping to return after missing that match with a knock and Ashley Young is back from suspension.

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku will be hoping to return to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench against the Gunners, but Victor Lindelof (groin) and Alexis Sanchez (hamstring) are out.

There is unlikely to be any place in the side for £52m summer signing Fred after Jose Mourinho said the team need to be stronger before he can play. “When the team is defensively stronger and doesn’t need in midfield people that is more working in giving balance to the team than being involved in creation and attacking dynamic,” said Mourinho.

“The day we are stronger defensively I think the horizons for Fred change completely,” he said.

“Of course Lindelof and Alexis Sanchez we don’t even speak about them but we need answers and for sure we are going to play with players not with the max of their potential but players who will put themselves available for the team.”

Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, Grant, Darmian, Dalot, Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Young, Matic, Pereira, Herrera, Pogba, Fellaini, Fred, McTominay, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Rashford, Lukaku

PA