Fulham will set up in their expected 4-2-3-1, with Sander Berge and Shea Charles anchoring the double pivot. Arbeloa wants his side to move the ball quickly through midfield and spring the wide runners — but there is a problem. Tom Cairney misses out, and that removes a cool head in the engine room. Without him, Fulham's build-up can become rushed, and that plays straight into United's hands. The Cottagers will look to get Gonzalo García running at Harry Maguire, and there is a genuine chance there — Maguire has been part of a defence leaking goals, and García's movement could cause him real headaches.

But here is the rub: United's expected 4-2-3-1, with Mainoo and Tielemans in the double pivot, has a soft centre. With Ugarte and Baleba out, Carrick has two central midfielders and a No. 10 who does not defend — that is a red carpet for Fulham to run through if they can get Berge and Charles on the ball in space. The first zone to watch is either side of Tielemans when Fulham break quickly. If the Cottagers can exploit that, they will create chances. The question is whether they can outscore their own defensive frailties.