Matheus Cunha’s last‑minute, deflected strike in the 89th minute rescued Manchester United from a potential defeat, earning the visitors a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage and providing a brief respite from what has increasingly looked like a full‑blown crisis for Michael Carrick’s side as the international break approaches. The drama unfolded after a disastrous own‑goal from defender Lisandro Martínez, which came with just 23 minutes left on the clock. That mistake intensified the pressure on United, who were already reeling from a humiliating Carabao Cup loss to Brighton at home and a heavy defeat in the Manchester derby the previous weekend.
The sequence of setbacks has left the club scrambling for any sign of stability. It was a clever flick from David Affengruber that ultimately pulled United out of the danger zone.
Yet, despite the salvaged point, the Red Devils remain entrenched in the lower half of the Premier League table after five matches, sitting ten points behind league leaders Manchester City and looking far removed from the standards required to compete with the country’s elite clubs this season. In fact, this start ties the club’s joint‑worst opening to a Premier League campaign, matching the five‑point haul they managed in the 2014‑15 season. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville summed up the misery by calling the own‑goal “a real mess”. The incident began when Fulham centre‑back Calvin Bassey challenged Cunha and forced a powerful shot that was initially saved by Fulham goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
In the scramble, Martínez’s boot made contact with the ball, diverting it back past Lammens and into the net. The goalkeeper’s clumsy attempt to clear the ball highlighted United’s chaotic defensive display throughout the match.
Neville was even more scathing about United’s overall play before the opening goal. He described their possession in the first 15 minutes as “the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play”, pointing to a lack of purpose and direction that left fans and pundits alike bewildered. The game could have swung dramatically in United’s favour had a few key moments gone differently.
In the first half, Bruno Fernandes found himself in a promising position after a well‑timed cut‑back from Cunha, only to see his effort crash against the post. Later, Cunha’s heavily deflected strike, which eventually produced the equaliser, also struck the woodwork before the rebound. Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, was kept busy with a series of full‑stretch saves, underscoring how close the visitors came to conceding a second goal.
When Cunha’s deflected effort finally crossed the line in the 89th minute, it left Fulham’s keeper with no chance of a response. The goal was heartbreaking for the home side and for their new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, who is still searching for his first Premier League victory. Despite the disappointment, Arbeloa can take some solace from the performance, especially after United’s recent draw at Anfield, which helped them climb out of the bottom spot on goal difference. For United, the accumulation of sub‑par displays this season should serve as a stark warning.
While a point at Fulham is better than a loss, the squad must use the upcoming three‑week international break to reset, find a new rhythm, and restore confidence if they hope to fulfill the lofty ambitions set at the start of the campaign. Cunha spoke to Sky Sports after the match, expressing his frustration: “It is so frustrating for us.
In the beginning we implemented our plan and created chances, but we didn’t score and then they scored in one action. It’s hard to explain.
After the goal we played much better and showed character, but we need that from the start. One point isn’t enough; we should never settle for a single point. They put in more energy than us, and we can’t accept that.
We need to improve in every position. It’s only the beginning. Last season we faced similar noise, but we finished third.” Manager Michael Carrick also addressed the media, acknowledging that United should have secured the win: “I thought we should have won the game; we created enough chances.
We had a lot of good play, and the goal we conceded was one of those unlucky moments. I liked the reaction and how we finished the game. It could have gone in another direction.
We nearly won at the end. We came to get the win, and while we didn’t, the way we finished gives us something positive.
Their goalkeeper was outstanding, making several saves, and we hit the post twice. A lot of our play was good, and there are things to take from it.” Fulham’s boss, Alvaro Arbeloa, vented his disappointment, saying: “We were so close, very close. A bit unlucky again.
We knew it would be tough against a big team. We also saw what the referees have been doing in recent matches, making it a difficult game. All fouls went against us.
Before they scored, there was a foul on Maguire – a 100‑kilogram player. Every decision seemed to favor them, and after the Manchester City game I knew they wouldn’t let us lose here. We deserved a little more.” Later, in a press conference, Arbeloa appeared to temper his earlier comments, acknowledging the language barrier and choosing to focus on his team’s performance rather than officiating: “My English isn’t great, maybe I explained myself poorly. I prefer not to comment on the referees because you never know.
When you say something unnecessary, it’s better to stay calm, focus on my team’s performance, and look ahead to the next game. I’m not really happy.
I need to stay focused and put my energy into improving every aspect. Maguire is a big player; maybe it wasn’t a foul, but that’s okay.
I prefer to analyse the game – players, systems – that’s the best way to win. Drawing a game like that can be frustrating.” Key moments from the match included: - 10′ – Save: Martínez unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the Fulham box; Leno stretched to push it away. - 25′ – Post: Cunha maneuvered around Affengruber and cut the ball back, but Fernandes’ shot struck the far post. - 28′ – Save: Lammens denied Josh King’s close‑range volley after a cross from Alex Iwobi.
- 31′ – Chance: Gonzalo García missed a volley, Sander Berge’s follow‑up was saved, and Oscar Bobb’s effort went wide. - 31′ – Post: A heavy deflection sent Cunha’s shot over Leno, hitting the far post before bouncing back for a corner. - 32′ – Save: Lammens blocked another attempt, stretching a leg to keep out King’s strike. - 63′ – Own Goal: After a sluggish start to the second half, Bassey overpowered Cunha, firing a shot that Lammens parried, only for Martínez to bundle it back past the keeper.
- 67′ – Save: Leno stretched to deny Bryan Mbeumo’s curling effort. - 74′ – Save: Leno again at full stretch to stop another Cunha attempt. - 86′ – Penalty Appeal: United sought a penalty for a potential handball by Bassey after Martínez redirected the ball, but the referee ruled the arms were tucked into the body. - 89′ – Goal: Cunha’s deflected strike secured United’s last‑minute equaliser.
The match ended in a stalemate, but the broader narrative for Manchester United remains one of urgency. The club must convert the lessons from this draw into decisive improvements during the break, or risk falling further behind in a league where the margins for error are razor‑thin.