Manchester United are unbeaten in 2024, thanks in large part to the prolific form of first-choice striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The Denmark international took until his 15th Premier League appearance to score his first goal in England’s top flight against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
He scored in each of the five league games since, culminating in a match-winning brace at Luton Town last time out.
However, manager Erik ten Hag confirmed that Hojlund would miss Saturday’s home game against Fulham. In response, he has handed a first Premier League start to academy graduate Omari Forson.
Man United vs Fulham live score, result, updates, highlights, lineups as Omari Forson starts first Premier League game
Forson joined United in July 2022 from Tottenham and was part of their 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning team.
He is the latest graduate of that side to be handed a Premier League start, lining up alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
The 19-year-old only made his first-team debut as a substitute against Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup last month, but has impressed Ten Hag and was name-checked by the Dutchman at his press conference on the eve of the Fulham game.
Forson was on the bench for United’s previous five Premier League games and laid on an assist for Mainoo’s winner when he made his debut during the closing stages of the rollercoaster 4-3 win at Wolves.
However, his total of senior minutes tallied seven from three appearances before Saturday, meaning Ten Hag’s call to start the youngster against Fulham feels like a sizeable one.
Erik's pre-match thoughts
Read on sportingnews.com