Manchester United’s work rate has once again become a talking point following their 1-1 stalemate with Fulham in the Premier League. The match sparked a flurry of commentary, not only from the media but also from within the squad itself.
Matheus Cunha, speaking to Sky Sports, expressed frustration, saying, "They put in more energy than us, we cannot accept this." His remarks were echoed by former United defender and Sky pundit Gary Neville, who remarked, "I've never seen a Man United side walk out of possession as much as they did in that game." These observations prompted a deeper look at the numbers behind United’s performance at Craven Cottage. According to Opta’s data, Manchester United sit joint‑bottom of the Premier League for high‑speed runs, matching Manchester City with 1,691 such runs. However, it is important to note that City’s figure was heavily influenced by the fact they played most of the Old Trafford derby with ten men, a circumstance that skews a direct comparison. When United were out of possession against Fulham, they spent 52.98% of that time walking rather than jogging or sprinting.
Only seven clubs have posted a higher walking percentage this season, but the figure represents United’s own highest walking rate of the campaign. Their season‑average walking percentage sits at 51.13%, placing them 17th out of 20 teams in the league.
Looking back to the previous season, there have been 30 Premier League matches in which a side has spent a larger share of its out‑of‑possession time walking than United did at Fulham. One notable example is United’s own 54.59% walking rate in a 3-0 victory over Brighton on the final day of the 2022‑23 season. In terms of total distance covered, United ran 110.2 kilometres on the Sunday, the second‑lowest total of the weekend’s matches, trailing only Liverpool, who logged 108.4 kilometres at Bournemouth. United covered 6.5 kilometres less than Fulham, marking the second‑largest gap between two full‑strength sides this season (Arsenal’s 6.8‑kilometre advantage over Coventry on the opening night provides a comparable statistic).
Other clubs have also out‑run United this term, including Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton. Manchester City remain the sole side that United have out‑covered, despite City playing most of their match with ten men after Phil Foden’s early dismissal. Possession statistics further illustrate United’s defensive posture. Fulham were allowed to commence their passing sequences on average only 36.9 metres from United’s goal – the shortest distance any opponent has started from in the Premier League this weekend.
This figure underscores how deep United sat when they did not have the ball. By contrast, United were permitted to start attacks from an average of 43.4 metres out, the third‑highest starting distance among the teams that played that round.
Neville highlighted Fulham’s prolific use of long‑ball build‑up play, noting that they recorded the most “10‑plus passing sequences” ending in a shot or a touch inside the opposition box. In other words, Fulham generated more sustained attacks that culminated in a genuine goal‑threat than any other side on the matchday. Despite the criticism, United manager Michael Carrick dismissed the notion that his side lacked energy when confronted with Cunha’s comments.
In the post‑match press conference Carrick said, "The way we finished the game it didn't look like that for me," suggesting that the team’s closing phase disproved the walking narrative. On the offensive side, United’s statistics paint a more optimistic picture.
Their "progress" metric – metres gained per passing sequence – topped the league for that round, indicating that when United won the ball back they were able to advance it quickly up the pitch from deep positions. They also recorded 36 entries into the opposition penalty area, the highest number of any team in a Premier League match this season. United managed 29 shots on target against Fulham, including two that struck the woodwork in the first half.
Those attempts contributed to a season total of 113 shots, the most of any club so far. Their Expected Goals (xG) tally stands at 10.24, placing them third in the league behind the leaders.
Nevertheless, the positive attacking numbers are overshadowed by United’s meagre points haul. After five games, the Red Devils have collected just five points – a stark contrast to the optimism that surrounded the club following a third‑place finish last season. The underwhelming results, combined with the low‑ranking running statistics, have intensified scrutiny of Carrick’s tenure. If United fail to secure a win against bottom‑placed Tottenham Hotspur after the international break, they risk cementing what could become the poorest start in the club’s Premier League history.
Such a scenario would inevitably raise even more probing questions about the team’s overall output, tactical approach and fitness regime under Carrick. In summary, while Manchester United’s attacking metrics – shots, xG, and distance gained per possession – suggest a side capable of creating chances, the underlying data on high‑speed runs, walking percentages and total distance covered reveal a team that may be lacking the intensity required to dominate matches consistently. Addressing this imbalance will be crucial if United hope to reverse their early‑season slump and meet the expectations of a fan base accustomed to higher standards.