Manchester United travel to Fulham tomorrow. Supporters may well remember five famous occasions where we have scored late winners at Craven Cottage – Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez have all delivered there since 2007. Here are five more matches which contribute towards the history between the clubs.
1) 1958 – Post-Munich Resilience (FA Cup Semi-Final Replay, Highbury)
On 26 March 1958, Manchester United and Fulham met in a replay of the FA Cup semi-final at Highbury. The shadow of tragedy hung heavily over United. Just six weeks earlier, the Munich Air Disaster had devastated the club, killing eight first-team players and leaving manager Sir Matt Busby gravely injured. Assistant Jimmy Murphy, entrusted with guiding the club during this period of mourning, fielded a makeshift side of youth players and emergency signings. Facing them was a Fulham team enjoying a strong cup run, eager to seize their chance of reaching a rare FA Cup final. What unfolded was a match of high drama and remarkable courage. United’s young striker Alex Dawson scored a hat-trick, leading his side to a pulsating 5–3 victory. The match embodied resilience: United, written off by many after Munich, proved their spirit could not be broken. Although they would later lose the final to Bolton Wanderers, the win over Fulham was a defining moment in club history. It symbolized defiance in the face of disaster, with Fulham playing a key role as opponents in one of English football’s most poignant encounters.
2) 1999 – On the Road to the Treble (FA Cup 5th Round, Old Trafford)
Fast forward to 14 February 1999, when Manchester United hosted Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round. United were battling across four competitions, with Sir Alex Ferguson carefully rotating a squad that included the likes of Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Roy Keane, and Dwight Yorke. Fulham, meanwhile, were no ordinary lower-league side. Backed by Mohamed Al-Fayed and managed by Kevin Keegan, they were rising fast from the lower divisions and aiming for Premier League football. On the day, Old Trafford expected a routine home win, but Fulham battled bravely, frustrating United and keeping the scoreline goalless for long spells. Andy Cole finally delivered the breakthrough, netting the only goal of the match to secure United’s passage into the next round. For United fans, the result was another step toward what would become the most celebrated season in club history: the 1999 Treble. The match itself was not a classic, but it highlighted United’s ability to grind out results even when not at their best. For Fulham, the match was proof of their growing strength. Within two years, they would reach the Premier League, fulfilling the promise glimpsed that afternoon at Old Trafford.
3) 2001 – Van Nistelrooy’s Premier League Debut (Old Trafford)
The 2001–02 Premier League season began on 19 August 2001 with Manchester United welcoming newly-promoted Fulham to Old Trafford. This match is remembered above all for the electrifying debut of Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Fulham, under Jean Tigana, had earned promotion with stylish football, and they stunned the champions when Louis Saha — himself a future United striker — scored twice. United, however, had added a clinical new forward. Van Nistelrooy announced himself with two poacher’s goals, showcasing the predatory instincts that would define his Old Trafford career. The final score was 3–2 to United, with Van Nistelrooy’s brace and a David Beckham strike overturning Saha’s efforts. The game encapsulated the excitement and unpredictability of the Premier League. Fulham showed they belonged in the top flight, while United revealed their new attacking weapon. Van Nistelrooy would go on to score 150 goals for the club, cementing his status as one of their greatest strikers. For Fulham fans, the day was bittersweet: despite defeat, their performance at Old Trafford proved they could compete at the highest level. The match thus stands as a symbolic entry point for both Van Nistelrooy’s storied United career and Fulham’s Premier League journey.
4) 2003 – Coleman’s Fulham Stun Old Trafford
On 25 October 2003, Fulham traveled to Old Trafford for a league fixture few expected them to win. Manchester United were reigning champions and boasted stars like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes. Fulham, however, were under the fresh leadership of Chris Coleman, a young manager only recently retired as a player. What followed was one of Fulham’s greatest-ever results. Lee Clark opened the scoring with a precise finish, and Steed Malbranque added a second to shock Old Trafford. United tried to respond, but Fulham’s energy and discipline frustrated them. Even when Van Nistelrooy pulled one back, the visitors held firm, and Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto sealed a famous 3–1 victory. The result sent shockwaves through the Premier League. For United, it was a reminder of the competitive edge of the league, while for Fulham, it was a landmark win — their first at Old Trafford in decades. Coleman’s team gained new credibility, and the victory became a highlight of Fulham’s early Premier League years. For supporters, it remains one of the club’s most cherished away days, proof that even giants like United could be humbled.
5) 2024 – Fulham’s Late Upset at Old Trafford
On 24 February 2024, Fulham once again shocked Old Trafford with a dramatic 2–1 victory in the Premier League. United, under Erik ten Hag, were battling for consistency, while Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, were enjoying a solid campaign. The match began tightly, with United controlling possession but struggling to break down a disciplined Fulham defense. In the second half, Fulham struck first, stunning the home crowd. United responded with an equalizer, seemingly setting the stage for a late push. Instead, Fulham produced a remarkable stoppage-time winner, securing their first league victory at Old Trafford in more than 20 years, echoing their triumph of 2003. For United, the defeat raised familiar questions about their ability to dominate lesser-ranked teams and maintain momentum in the league. For Fulham, it was a result of immense pride — a reminder that they could still produce shocks against the biggest names. The victory became a reference point in Fulham’s modern history, proving that under Silva they were capable of competing with the best. For neutrals, it was another reminder of the Premier League’s drama, where even historic giants are vulnerable to last-minute heartbreak.