Ex Gunner denies Manchester the win

Ahead of the match with Fulham the narrative was – no excuses. Eight days before the end of the transfer window, United have spent over 200 million pounds on three forwards while Fulham have only signed a backup goalkeeper for free. Even the most conservative fans (and TV pundits) thought that this is a must win game for United. And the Red Devils failed. They had chances, they looked like against Arsenal (at times) and they are better that the last season, but in the end, their only scored goal was a defection off the back of Fulham’s player while Bruno Fernandes missed another penalty: Fulham – Manchester United 1-1.

Fulham have won just one of their last 19 meetings against the Red Devils in the top-flight and they added their 20th game without a win today, but they could certainly be pleased with their performance. On the other side, Bruno Fernandes missed his fifth penalty since debuting in the Premier League, a highest score alongside Mohamed Salah and Aleksandar Mitrovic. United neglected the other parts of the squad and focused only on signing attacking minded players, but only Cunha looks excellent since the start of the season and Manchester need to win games. On the bright side, Turkish keeper Altay Bayindir was excellent again and will surely keep Andre Onana on the bench if he continues like that.

It was an entertaining first half and there are two reasons we haven’t seen any goals: Bernd Leno and Altay Bayindir. Both keepers had a couple of great saves but United’s chances were better and more dangerous. After just two minutes, Mount found Cunha with a quick pass but the Brazilian’s shot hit the woodwork. Minutes later, Leno was in action again, saving United’s chance created by Mbeumo, Cunha and Fernandes. But in the 13th minute, it was time for the Turkish keeper. King went through the middle and he's through on goal but Bayindir did well to rush off his line and take the ball. In the next attack, the Turk created a chance for Cunha with a long ball, but Leno was there again to defend. Iwobi responded with a volley forcing a save from the United’s keeper. And then it was time for Manchester and a penalty. It was a mutual grab in the penalty area in the 35th minute which VAR thought it was a penalty and the referee Cavanah agreed. But Fernandes cannoned the effort over the crossbar and into the stands!

Interestingly, the first goal of the game was an own goal by Fulham. Mbeumo sent the ball in from the right to the far post, where the scramble cleared after some mutual shoving between several players, including Leny Yoro. The Manchester defender headed the ball, it struck Munoz, and deflected into the net. In the end, the goal was credited as an own goal by Munoz in the 58th minute.The visitors managed to slow the game down for the next ten minutes, which forced the home coach to bring on Raúl Jiménez and Emile Smith Rowe, as there was no more time to waste—they had to go all in for the equalizer.

It didn’t take them long to find the net, as Smith Rowe leveled the score with his very first touch. Building the attack from the goalkeeper and drawing the visitors high up the pitch, Fulham managed to open space on the left. Alex Iwobi delivered a perfect cross from the left into the six-yard box, and the former Arsenal man struck brilliantly to make it 1–1. Manchester United completely collapsed after conceding, as Fulham steamrolled them in the closing stages. The home side switched to turbo and pushed hard for all three points. Perhaps they went forward a bit recklessly, leaving themselves open to counterattacks—so in the 86th minute Saša Lukić picked up a yellow card for pulling Bruno’s shirt and stopping a big chance. Fulham kept pressing and even had a corner in the third minute of stoppage time, which the Serbian international himself took, but the visitors survived. In the end, instead of crushing Fulham, United were left trembling just to hold onto a point.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Friday

West Ham - Chelsea 1-5 (1-3)

/Paqueta 6 - Pedro 15, Neto 23, Fernandez 34, Caicedo 54, Chalobah 58/

Saturday

Man.City - Tottenham 0-2 (0-2)

/Johnson 35, Palhinha 45+2/

Bournemouth - Wolverhampton 1-0 (1-0)

/Tavernier 4/

Brentford - Aston Villa 1-0 (1-0)

/Outtara 13/

Burnley - Sunderland 2-0 (0-0)

/Cullen 47, Anthony 88/

Arsenal - Leeds 5-0 (2-0)

/Timber 34, 56, Saka 45+1, Gyokeres 48, 90+5 pen/

Sunday

Crystal Palace - Nott.Forest 1-1 (1-0)

/Sarr 37 - Hudson-Odoi 57/

Everton - Brighton 2-0(1-0)

/Ndiaye 23, Garner 52/

Fulham - Man.Utd. 1-1 (0-0)

/Smith-Rowe 73 - Munoz (og) 58/

Monday

22.00: (3.40) Newcastle (3.50) Liverpool (2.10)

***odds are subject to change***