Matheus Cunha's deflected strike in the 89th minute rescued a point for Manchester United as the match against Fulham ended 1-1, offering a brief respite from what has increasingly looked like a crisis for Michael Carrick's side ahead of the international break. The drama unfolded after a disastrous own‑goal from Lisandro Martínez with just 23 minutes remaining, which had left United under immense pressure to find a reply following a mid‑week Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton and a loss in the Manchester derby the previous weekend. United's salvation came when a clever flick from David Affengruber set up the Brazilian forward, allowing him to unleash a shot that was initially blocked by Fulham goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
The ball then ricocheted off Martínez, who inadvertently steered it past his own keeper, completing the equaliser. Despite the late rescue, the Red Devils remain entrenched in the lower half of the Premier League after five games, sitting ten points behind league leaders Manchester City and far from the standards required to challenge the top clubs this season. This start matches their joint‑worst Premier League opening, a record only previously equalled in the 2014‑15 campaign when United also managed just five points from five matches. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville labelled the own‑goal "a real mess," and he was equally scathing about United's overall performance.
He described the team's possession before the opening goal as "the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play," highlighting a lack of cohesion and purpose. The match could have swung in United's favour earlier if Bruno Fernandes had turned his early chance into a goal rather than seeing his effort hit the post after a well‑timed cut‑back from Cunha. Likewise, the Brazilian's heavily deflected effort might have found the net without the woodwork interference, and Fulham keeper Bernd Leno was forced to make a series of full‑stretch saves throughout the game.
The final moments saw Fulham's goalkeeper unable to prevent the leveller. The equaliser was a heartbreak for Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who is still hunting his first Premier League victory.
Nevertheless, Arbeloa can take some solace from his side's performance, especially after a recent draw at Anfield that helped them climb out of the bottom spot on goal difference. For United, however, the accumulation of sub‑par displays has set off alarm bells in Manchester. While they escaped with a point at Craven Cottage, the team must use the upcoming three‑week international break to reset, find a new rhythm, and realign with the ambitions set out at the start of the season. 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 addressed the media, noting that United deserved more: "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 have been 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 asked about his team's performance, initially sounded aggrieved by refereeing decisions, claiming the officials favoured United. He later softened his comments, acknowledging his limited English and the need to stay focused: "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 of the match included a spectacular save from Leno after Martínez unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the Fulham box, a near‑miss from Cunha that struck the far post, and multiple interventions by Lammens to keep Fulham in the game. The timeline of events highlighted the ebb and flow: early chances for both sides, a series of saves, the own‑goal that swung momentum, and finally Cunha's deflected equaliser that sealed the draw. Looking ahead, United must address the defensive frailties that have plagued them, particularly the chaotic handling of set‑pieces and the lack of composure in the final third.
The coaching staff will likely use the break to work on tactical discipline, pressing intensity, and finishing efficiency. For Fulham, despite the disappointment of dropping points, the performance against a traditionally strong opponent demonstrates their growing confidence and ability to challenge top‑flight teams.
Both managers will have plenty to analyse as they prepare for the next round of fixtures, hoping to convert draws into wins and avoid slipping further down the table. In summary, Cunha's late, heavily deflected goal provided a lifeline for Manchester United, but the match underscored deeper issues that need urgent attention if the club hopes to fulfill its season‑long aspirations.