(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Manchester United fans will spend the three-week international break dwelling on the side’s turbulent start to 2026/2027.
The Red Devils sit 12th in the Premier League after matchweek five and are already out of the League Cup, which has seen pressure heaped on Michael Carrick’s shoulders early doors.
United held to draw by out-of-form Fulham
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
On Sunday, United rounded off the gameweek with a 1-1 draw away to winless Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Cottagers themselves were unable to find the back of the net, with their only goal coming courtesy of Lisandro Martinez in the 63rd minute.
It took until the 89th minute for United to equalise through Matheus Cunha, after which neither team could clinch a winner in the three minutes of injury time.
Cunha's first Premier League goal of the season 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/hf5EgutrVs — Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 20, 2026
Carrick and his men subsequently left West London with a point, taking their tally to just five this season.
Are there promising signs in United’s play?
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, talks with Marcus Rashford of Manchester United at half-time during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage on September 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Yet, one statistic shared this morning suggests it isn’t all doom and gloom in Carrick’s setup.
According to Opta Analyst, United have recorded more touches in the opposition’s box (182) than any other side in the top flight so far this term.
They have also limited clubs to the fewest touches inside their own penalty area (92), suggesting opponents aren’t having the easiest time working their way through to Senne Lammens’ goal.
Manchester United have had more touches in the opposition box than any other Premier League team so far this season (182). They have also seen their opponents have the fewest inside their own penalty area (92). pic.twitter.com/iUr2gUWuVC — Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) September 21, 2026
Still, supporters will be hoping they can see vast signs of improvement in United’s actual performances when they return to action on October 10.
They host Tottenham Hotspur, who are yet to win a game, at Old Trafford before travelling to the Metropolitano to lock horns with Atletico Madrid in their second Champions League group-phase fixture.
Marcus Rashford with the English national team
Michael Carrick
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Gary Neville, Sky Sports presenter ahead of the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sheffield United at Villa Park on December 22, 2023 in Birmingham, England.
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