Manchester United left Craven Cottage with a share of the spoils after Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute equaliser cancelled out a Lisandro Martinez own goal to secure a 1-1 draw against Fulham. It was a result that flattered a United side who spent long spells of the afternoon second best, and one that will do little to ease growing concern around Michael Carrick’s start to the campaign.
Cunha’s late strike, which deflected in off Fulham defender David Affengruber, spared United’s blushes after Martinez had turned a low cross into his own net 23 minutes from time. The point moves United on but does not lift them out of the bottom half of the Premier League table, where they now sit 10 points behind leaders Manchester City after five games.
Fulham, for their part, will feel they let a chance slip. New boss Alvaro Arbeloa is still searching for his first Premier League win since taking charge, and this was another afternoon where his side could not hold on to a lead they had worked hard to earn. Supporters can revisit the build-up in our reflections ahead of the Fulham clash, published before kick-off.
Frustrating First Half Ends Goalless
United’s afternoon did not begin badly, but it deteriorated quickly. The visitors started with reasonable intent, moving the ball patiently through midfield, yet that patience soon curdled into something more passive. Possession without purpose became the theme, and Fulham grew into the game as United retreated into their own half without ever really threatening.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was withering in his assessment of that period of play. Speaking on commentary, Neville described the stretch of United possession before Fulham’s goal as “the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play.”
It was a blunt verdict, but one that matched what was unfolding on the pitch: static shape, sideways passing, and a visible lack of urgency from a team that needed to impose itself.
Fulham, sensing the opportunity, began to push men forward and won a string of corners and free kicks without truly testing the United goalkeeper. Chances were scarce at both ends. United’s front line found little space to work with, while Fulham’s best work came from wide areas rather than direct penetration through the middle. The two sides went in level at the break, 0-0, though the atmosphere inside Craven Cottage suggested the home crowd sensed a breakthrough was coming.
Fans following team news beforehand can revisit the confirmed team news at Craven Cottage to see how Carrick set his side up for what was expected to be a tight, physical contest.
Martinez Own Goal and Cunha’s Late Rescue Act
The breakthrough, when it arrived, was one United will want to forget quickly. In the 67th minute, a low ball played across United’s box caught Lisandro Martinez in an awkward position, and his attempt to intervene diverted the ball beyond his own goalkeeper. It was a cruel moment for a defender who has rarely been at fault this season, but it summed up the sloppiness that had crept into United’s play throughout the second period.
Neville did not hold back in his reaction, calling the goal “A real mess” as replays showed United’s defensive structure collapsing at the crucial moment again. Craven Cottage erupted, and for a while it looked as though Fulham would hold on comfortably for a first league win under Arbeloa.
Carrick responded by sending on fresh legs and pushing United higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser. The introduction of extra attacking options changed the shape of the game, and United began to create more sustained pressure, forcing Fulham back for the first time all afternoon.
That pressure paid off in the 89th minute. United worked the ball into a dangerous area, and Matheus Cunha’s effort took a deflection off Fulham defender David Affengruber, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and creeping in to level the score. It was a fortunate goal in terms of its path into the net, but a deserved one in terms of the effort United had put in over the closing stages to force the issue. Fans can relive the moment in full through our coverage of Cunha’s late equaliser against Fulham.
There was no time for a winner. The final whistle went moments later, and United escaped west London with a point that, on the balance of play, was arguably slightly more than they deserved. For full detail on the game and Gary Neville’s broadcast comments, see the Sky Sports match report.
Manchester United Player Ratings
Senne Lammens (GK): 7/10. Had decent saves in the first half and kept United in the game before the own goal changed things. He had a foot to Martinez’s goal but was unable to keep it out.
Diogo Dalot (RB): 6/10. Steady rather than spectacular down the right, offering width when United pushed forward late on. Struggled at times to track Fulham’s overlapping runs during the last quarter of the match.
Lisandro Martinez (CB): 5/10. A tough night summed up by his unfortunate own goal midway through the second half. Otherwise reasonably composed in possession, but that single error will be the lasting memory of his afternoon.
Harry Maguire (CB): 6.5/10. Organised the back line well for long periods and won several important headers. Could do little about the goal but generally looked United’s most reliable defensive presence on the day.
Luke Shaw (LB): 6/10. Willing to get forward but often caught upfield as Fulham broke quickly through midfield. Improved after the break, linking well with United’s attacking substitutes late on.
Bruno Fernandes (CM): 7/10. United’s main creative outlet, though even he found it hard to unlock a well-organised Fulham defence for long stretches. Unlucky not to score with a first-half effort hitting the post.
Matheus Cunha (LW): 8/10. The hero of the afternoon, his deflected 89th-minute strike rescued a point United barely looked capable of earning. Persistent and direct throughout, he was United’s biggest attacking threat from start to finish.
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