Man Utd delivered another disappointing performance as they drew 1-1 against Fulham in the Premier League.
United were fortunate to get a point.(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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There was a puff of the cheeks from Senne Lammens at the end of the first half of Manchester United's game against Fulham.
Lammens made four saves by half-time. United allowed Fulham to carve out too many opportunities, and parity at the interval was only secured because of the Belgium international's shot-stopping ability.
The save to deny Josh King was the pick of the bunch. King beat Luke Shaw far too easily, nudging the ball ahead of him to fashion a yard of space, and it looked like his effort was destined for the bottom left corner until Lammens made a David de Gea-esque save with his leg.
Lammens was swiftly congratulated by his teammates. There was a small section of fans who suggested Lammens was not good enough after the first few games of the season, but keeping United in the contest against Fulham proved those accusations were foolish.
Lammens made his first appearance at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon, as when United played the Cottagers away from home last season he was still a Royal Antwerp player. Altay Bayindir started between the sticks that day, while Andre Onana was named on the bench before leaving the club.
The game would have been out of reach for United at half-time if Bayindir or Onana had been in goal. There is no chance they would have made the four saves that Lammens did, or helped to soak up the pressure.
United's defence has been a problem this season and Fulham were allowed into too many dangerous areas. Carrick admitted his side "needed to improve" defensively during his pre-match press conference, but conveniently did not answer why his side is so open.
Lammens should not have been called into action as many times as he was against a Fulham side that sat at the bottom of the Premier League heading into the clash, having scored just four league goals all season.
Even the Fulham fans sitting around the press box could not believe how many chances their side were able to fashion. "That's the most chances we've created all season," one home supporter was overheard saying at the break.
The bad start to the season has seen confidence drop. Lammens tried his best to encourage his backline, applauding their efforts when clearances were made, and Bryan Mbeumo was spotted telling Diogo Dalot to keep his head up after a failed attempt to play a through ball.
Lammens was the only United player who performed.
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Benjamin Sesko was absent in the capital because he felt pain in his shin - the injury that kept him out of the entirety of pre-season - after facing Brighton, meaning Carrick had to revert to a striker-less attack.
There are now legitimate concerns over Sesko's injury record. He missed over a month in the first half of last season due to a knee injury and missed three games at the end of the campaign due to the shin issue.
Sesko suggested the problem was behind him when he spoke after United's Champions League win against Sabah, but that has not been the case. Matheus Cunha started up front again, and the reason why he should not play there was laid bare when Fulham's pressure finally told in the second half.
Cunha was outmuscled by Calvin Bassey as Kobbie Mainoo attempted to play out. Lammens made the initial save to deny Bassey, but the ball deflected off Lisandro Martinez and trickled into the back of the net.
Lammens misjudged the deflection and attempted to clear it with his feet when he could have gone with his gloves, but it was hard not to have sympathy with the goalkeeper, who had been left exposed all game.
United got exactly what they deserved - Lammens could only bail them out for so long. "I've watched Manchester United since I was 5, and that's the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen them play. Absolutely pathetic," Gary Neville fumed on commentary duty for Sky Sports.
There are problems all over the pitch for Carrick. United are meek and too easy to carve out chances against, lack energy in midfield, and there are no routines or patterns in the final third. The team that finished third in the Premier League last season now looks unrecognisable.
Cunha's deflected equaliser in the final few minutes does not change much going into the international break. United were fortunate to snatch a point, and Fulham will rue the several chances they did not convert.
There are major red flags for a team when a goalkeeper is their best player. The pressure has ramped up on Carrick.