Bruno Fernandes missed a first-half penalty as Manchester United slipped to a 1-1 draw with Fulham after Emile Smith Rowe cancelled out the visitors’ controversial opener.
United are winless in their first two Premier League matches after being beaten by Arsenal last weekend and failing to hold onto their lead at Craven Cottage, with the pressure already building on head coach Ruben Amorim.
A Rodrigo Muniz own goal had put them in front just before the hour mark despite United defender Leny Yoro pushing centre-back Calvin Bassey in the back with both hands as he headed a corner in off the Fulham striker.
"He is lucky to get away with that," said Sky Sports' Gary Neville on co-commentary before Bassey told Sky Sports: "When the ref looks back on it, he will be disappointed."
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Lenny Yoro
Manchester United take the lead against Fulham at Craven Cottage
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The incident came after Bassey had been punished in the first half for throwing Mason Mount to the floor at a corner while Man Utd's Luke Shaw bundled over Muniz in the same moment.
The game was stopped one minute and 23 seconds later when the VAR Darren England instructed referee Chris Kavanagh to review the incident, and he awarded a penalty.
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Kavanagh was involved further when he accidentally collided with Fernandes as the Man Utd captain was preparing to take the spot kick, which he then smashed over the crossbar, looking to find the top left corner.
Fernandes appeared to be upset with Kavanagh disrupting his pre-penalty routine, but Sky Sports' Neville said he needed to "let it go".
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Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes smashes a penalty over crossbar against Fulham
United were left to rue the chances they missed in the first half. Matheus Cunha had three shots within the opening 14 minutes, whistling a strike from distance over, side-footing an effort against the right post and then forcing Bernd Leno into a fine save after brilliantly controlling Altay Bayindir's long pass forward.
But Fulham more than played their part in an entertaining game, forcing the nervy Bayindir into two significant saves before Smith Rowe came off the bench and tapped in Alex Iwobi's cross from close range with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Player ratings:
Fulham: Leno (7), Tete (7), Andersen (7), Bassey (6), Castagne (6), Berge (6), Lukic (7), Sessegnon (7), King (6), Iwobi (8), Muniz (7).
Subs Wilson (6), Robinson (6), Smith Rowe (7), Jimenez (6)
Man Utd: Bayindir (6); Yoro (7), De Ligt (6), Shaw (6); Amad (6), Fernandes (6), Casemiro (6), Dorgu (6); Mbeumo (6), Mount (6), Cunha (7).
Subs: Dalot (5), Sesko (6), Ugarte (6), Heaven (n/a), Maguire (n/a)
Player of the Match: Alex Iwobi
Bassey: Penalty award was harsh.. Bruno miss was justice!
Fulham's Calvin Bassey to Sky Sports on Leny Yoro's push for Man Utd's opener:
"It's the same as my one. It's a foul. He pushed me to stop me from getting to the ball. When the ref looks back on it, he will be disappointed. I can't say too much before I get a fine!
"But come on, it's a foul. When you've got to jump, any little touch can put you off. He's got two hands [on my back]. How much worse do you need? On another day, it goes in our favour.
"It's enough for me not to win the ball and it's an advantage for him, so it should have been given.
On the penalty award for his throw on Mason Mount: "I still think it's harsh. I understand why it's given. I'm trying to stay strong because I know the block's coming, and then I've pulled him over my foot.
"But the ref has got to protect us as well. I'm strong, so it looks a bit more aggressive. If it's someone stronger [than Mount], I don't think it looks as bad."
On Bruno Fernandes' penalty miss: "I'd say it was justice! I didn't think it was a pen. It was a bit of relief."
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