Manchester United dropped points for the second week running in the Premier League, but club legend Norman Whiteside was still able to joke about Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Game week two in the Premier League saw Manchester United draw 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Although United showcased an encouraging performance in the defeat against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the 2025/26 campaign, Ruben Amorim’s side failed to build on that against Fulham.
United started the game brightly as Matheus Cunha came close to scoring two goals in the opening minutes; however, Fulham grew into the game after Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty.
United opened the scoring after the break when Leny Yoro’s deflected header crossed the line.
Sadly, it didn’t take long for Fulham to equalise through Emile Smith Rowe. United failed to respond to that and took just one point from their trip to Craven Cottage.
It may be too early to press the panic button, but that doesn’t change the fact that the last two results put United under more pressure going into the upcoming games.
Norman Whiteside taking on Steve Nicholl of Liverpool
Oct 1985: Steve Nicholl (right) of Liverpool comes in to tackle Norman Whiteside (left) of Manchester United during a Canon League Division One match at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/Allsport
Norman Whiteside jokes at Pep Guardiola’s expense
Eyebrows were raised when United started a second consecutive game without a striker.
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Amorim can be excused for easing Benjamin Sesko into the team, but he overlooked Joshua Zirkzee after naming the same front trio as last week – Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo.
Despite starting the game on the front foot, United faded as sloppiness crept into their game, but club legend Norman Whiteside tried to lighten the mood with a joke about Pep Guardiola’s Man City.
Whiteside, who scored the winning goal for United against Everton in the 1985 FA Cup final, took to X during the first half to write the following: “At least we are not playing the boring Pep football.”
While many will agree with Whiteside’s humorous assessment of the latest display from Amorim’s side, the majority of United fans want to see the team creating more chances and scoring goals.
Man City suffered a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, but Guardiola’s side have three more points than the Red Devils.
The only way to please fans and overtake City in the league is by winning football matches.
When is the Manchester derby?
United will travel to the Etihad for the first Manchester derby of the season on Sunday, September 14.
However, United have two matches to play before then. The first is on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup second round, when the Reds travel to League Two outfit Grimsby Town.
Three days later, Burnley will visit Old Trafford, in the final game before the September international break.
Whiteside will be hoping to secure bragging rights over City once the upcoming international break comes to an end.