Matheus Cunha’s deflected strike in the 89th minute rescued a point for Manchester United, turning what looked like a looming disaster into a hard‑earned draw against Fulham. The Brazilian’s goal came after a chaotic sequence that highlighted United’s defensive frailties and underscored the urgency of a turnaround before the international break. The drama began early in the second half when Lisandro Martínez inadvertently turned a cross into his own net with roughly 23 minutes remaining. The own‑goal, described by Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville as "a real mess," amplified the pressure on Erik ten Hag’s side, who were already reeling after a disappointing Carabao Cup exit to Brighton and a 2‑0 loss in the Manchester derby.

United’s hopes were revived when a clever flick from David Affengruber set up a chance that ultimately led to Cunha’s equaliser. After Fulham centre‑back Calvin Bassey forced a shot that goalkeeper Senne Lammens managed to parry, Martínez’s boot deflected the ball back into the net, giving United a lifeline.

The goal was a testament to persistence, but it also exposed United’s chaotic defending, as Lammens’ attempt to clear the ball was clumsy and left the goal exposed. Despite the point, United remain entrenched in the lower half of the Premier League table after five matches, sitting ten points behind leaders Manchester City and far from the level required to compete with the league’s elite. Their tally of five points from five games ties the club’s joint‑worst start to a Premier League campaign, a record last matched in the 2014‑15 season.

Neville was particularly scathing about United’s possession in the opening stages, calling the first 15 minutes "the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play." The team appeared passive, allowing Fulham to dominate the ball and create the early chances that eventually led to the own‑goal. The narrative might have been different if Bruno Fernandes had converted the early opportunity from Cunha’s cut‑back or if the heavily deflected shot had found the net instead of rattling the woodwork.

Fulham keeper Bernd Leno also made several impressive saves, stretching fully to deny United’s attackers on multiple occasions. In the final minutes, Fulham’s goalkeeper was unable to stop the levelling strike.

The ball, after being deflected by Martínez, slipped past Leno, leaving the home side and their interim manager Álvaro Arbeloa crestfallen. Arbeloa, still searching for his first Premier League victory, will take some solace from the performance, especially after United’s draw at Anfield, which moved them off the bottom spot on goal difference.

Looking ahead, United’s string of lackluster displays will undoubtedly set off alarm bells in Manchester. The team escaped with a point, but the underlying issues remain.

They must use the upcoming three‑week international break to reset, address defensive lapses, and find a more proactive approach if they hope to fulfill their season’s ambitions. Cunha spoke to Sky Sports after the match, expressing his frustration: "It is so frustrating for us. In the beginning, we put the plan in and created some chances.

We didn't score and then they scored in one action. It is hard to explain.

After the goal, we played much better and had a lot of character. It needs to be from the start. It is only one point but we should never play for one point. They put in more energy than us, we cannot accept this.

We need to do our best. We need to improve in every single position.

It is only the beginning. Last season was the same, with noise around, but we finished third." Manager Michael Carrick also shared his thoughts: "I thought we should've won the game, we created enough to win the game. We had a lot of good play and the goal we did concede, it is one of those goals. I really liked the reaction and how we finished the game.

It would be easy for it to go in another direction. We nearly won it at the end. We came to get the win; of course we did, but the way we finished the game is the positive we take from it. Their goalkeeper, the saves he has made, he was player of the match and we hit the post twice.

A lot of it was good. There are things to take from it, for sure." Arbeloa, when questioned about the refereeing, initially suggested bias but later tempered his comments: "My English is not so good. Maybe I explain myself so badly and I prefer not to say anything about the referees because you never know.

When you say something that you don't have to say, it's better to stay calm, focus on the performance of my team and focus on the next game. I'm not really happy.

Like I said, I need to be focused and put my energy in all the things that I have to improve. [Maguire] is a very big guy and maybe it wasn't a foul.

But it's ok. Like I said, I prefer to analyse the game - players, systems and it's the best for win. You know when you draw a game like that, maybe you're a little bit frustrated." Key moments from the match included: - 10': A spectacular save by Martínez from just outside the Fulham box, only to be parried by Leno. - 25': Cunha’s incisive run past Affengruber, only for Fernandes to smash his shot against the far post.

- 28': Lammens denying Josh King’s close‑range volley after Alex Iwobi’s cross. - 31': Gonzalo García’s missed volley, followed by Sander Berge’s follow‑up saved by Lammens, and Oscar Bobb’s wide effort.

- 31': A massive deflection saw Cunha’s shot loop over Leno, strike the far post, and rebound for a corner. - 63': Bassey’s over‑powered shot after a sluggish start to the second half was parried by Lammens, then inadvertently redirected by Martínez for an own‑goal.

- 67': Leno’s full‑stretch save from Bryan Mbeumo’s curling effort. - 74': Leno again denying Cunha with a spectacular stop. - 86': United appealed for a penalty after a perceived handball by Bassey, but the referee ruled no foul. - 89': Cunha’s deflected strike finally secured the equaliser, earning United a vital point.

The match highlighted both United’s resilience and the depth of their problems. While the late goal provided a morale boost, the team must address the defensive inconsistencies, lack of creativity in possession, and the need for a more aggressive mindset. The upcoming break offers a crucial window for tactical adjustments, player rotations, and a psychological reset. If United can convert these lessons into improved performances, they may yet salvage their season and climb out of the relegation‑threatening zone.