Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Louis Saha and Ashley Young could not unsee a recurring issue in Manchester United’s lacklustre performance under Michael Carrick against Fulham on Sunday.
Manchester United avoided a third consecutive defeat ahead of the October international break after their losses to Brighton and Manchester City recently.
Michael Carrick had a nail-biting second half in the Craven Cottage dugout after Man Utd were 1-0 down to Fulham in their latest Premier League clash.
Fulham benefited from Lisandro Martinez putting the ball into the back of his own net, but Matheus Cunha netted an all-important equaliser for United in the clash.
READ MORE: Matheus Cunha’s performance has Man Utd fans putting him in same bracket as two other standouts who ‘showed up’
Getty Images
Louis Saha and Ashley Young were deeply critical of the movement of Man Utd players during the Fulham draw
Manchester United struggled against Fulham at the weekend and the Red Devils failed to build real momentum against Alvaro Arbeloa’s out-of-form side. Senne Lammens played a key role in denying Fulham in taking a first-half lead, but he was left scrambling in the second half in his failed bid to deny Lisandro Martinez.
United manager Michael Carrick will need to head back to the drawing board during the extended international break before the Red Devils return to action against Tottenham in October. However, Louis Saha feels that the United first-team players lacked real urgency with their performances against Fulham.
“At some points when they decide to accelerate, they look like a Manchester United side – there is no problem; the quality is there,” he said on Sky Sports.
“There are some moments, though, when they accept the speed of a charity game. That’s shocking.
“Players need to play at full pace; if they can’t after 70 or 80 minutes, they should be substituted.”
READ MORE: Man Utd fans all react to Bryan Mbeumo vs Fulham after Michael Carrick ignored easiest tactical call ever
United players at Craven Cottage were spotted walking around at different periods rather than turning up the pressure on Fulham in the 1-1 draw. Just like former Man Utd striker Saha, Ashley Young was deeply critical of the Red Devils who were seen “walking” around on Sunday evening.
“That is massive going into the international break,” he said.
“This result was always going to be very important. Getting a draw at Fulham, you have to look at it as a good point. They were too slow; there wasn’t enough urgency.
“Maybe it is belief; maybe the players are thinking too much. It was too slow. Players were walking! Fulham looked like they wanted to go on and win the game.
“It is disappointing to see.”
United will be out of Premier League action for three weeks before the Red Devils head back to Old Trafford for their match against Tottenham on 10th October. Spurs are bottom of the Premier League table and are winless under manager Roberto De Zerbi after five league matches.