Michael Carrick is feeling the heat ahead of Manchester United’s visit to Fulham on Sunday, but he could well be bolstered by the return of three stars.

The Red Devils have been missing Luke Shaw, their first-choice left-back, summer signing Carlos Baleba, and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt, with the trio all on the treatment table in recent weeks.

Shaw, who played every game for United in the Premier League last term, has sat out the last three matches, against Sabah in the Champions League, the Manchester derby defeat, and the recent Carabao Cup exit against Brighton.

Baleba, signed from the Seagulls in the transfer window, arrived at Old Trafford with a pre-existing ankle injury that the club’s medical department classed as not serious enough to fail his medical.

As such, the Cameroon international is yet to feature for his new side, but he could well make his debut in west London, where he has made the travelling cohort.

De Ligt has been the longest-term absentee, sidelined since November last year with a back injury that has persisted.

Now, however, he could finally make his first appearance of the year as he was also named in the squad set to converge on Craven Cottage.

Shaw’s comeback will also come as a massive boost to Carrick, who has been forced to field Patrick Dorgu as his backup left-back in the last three matches.

The England international has been out with a thigh injury, which has seen Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui both step into his shoes to plug the gap.

There was a major absentee, however, in the travelling squad, with striker Benjamin Sesko not making the trip amid an unknown injury concern. That could point to Matheus Cunha starting up top for Carrick’s side again.

United travel to the capital looking to win just their second league game of the new season, having beaten only Ipswich so far.

The Red Devils find themselves 13th in the table.