Fulham Without Tete for Manchester United Clash

Alvaro Arbeloa will be without Kenny Tete for Fulham’s Premier League clash with Manchester United on Sunday, as the Dutch defender continues to follow concussion protocols.

Fulham return to league duty on the back of a breathless 3-2 win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup, a result that has given Arbeloa a jolt of momentum as he chases his first Premier League victory in charge. The mood has lifted. The injury list has not.

Tete ruled out, Sessegnon a doubt

Speaking ahead of United’s visit, Arbeloa confirmed that Tete will play no part at Craven Cottage, while captain Tom Cairney remains sidelined and Ryan Sessegnon faces a race against time.

“Tom is still recovering. Tete won’t be available. We need to see if Sess (Ryan Sessegnon) is available for Sunday,” Arbeloa told Fulhamish.

The issue for Tete stems from Fulham’s trip to Anfield.

“It’s a concussion after the ball hit him in the Anfield game, so he’s still not available. I think he’ll be ready for an international break. Unfortunately, he’s not ready for a Sunday.”

That rules out a player long regarded as Fulham’s first-choice right-back, even if his status has shifted under the new regime.

Selection picture at full-back

Tete’s standing at the club has been complicated since the summer. The 28-year-old looked close to a move to Everton late in the transfer window, only for the deal to collapse when Fulham failed to secure a replacement. He stayed. His role shrank.

Under Arbeloa, Timothy Castagne has taken over the right-back slot and is expected to keep his place against United. Tete’s absence removes cover on the bench rather than forcing a rethink of the starting XI, leaving Fulham light if anything happens to Castagne during the game.

On the opposite flank, Antonee Robinson will continue at left-back regardless of Sessegnon’s fitness. Even if Sessegnon is passed fit, he will be returning from injury and is unlikely to dislodge the United States international, whose consistency has made him one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Arbeloa’s first league win in charge will have to come without his senior right-back and with questions still hanging over his wide defensive depth. Against Manchester United, there will be little margin for error.