Matheus Cunha’s 89th‑minute, deflected strike rescued a point for Manchester United as the visitors were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham, easing what had looked like a full‑blown crisis for Michael Carrick’s side on the eve of the international break. The drama unfolded after a disastrous own‑goal from Lisandro Martínez in the 23rd minute, which amplified United’s urgency to find a response following a humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton and a loss in the Manchester derby the previous weekend. United’s lifeline came when David Affengruber’s clever flick set up the Brazilian forward, whose shot was initially blocked by Fulham keeper Senne Lammens. The rebound fell to Martínez, whose boot redirected the ball past Lammens for the equaliser.
The goal, however, was only the latest symptom of a broader defensive malaise that has left United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League after five matches, ten points adrift of leaders Manchester City and far from the standard required to compete with the country’s elite clubs. This start ties the club’s worst opening to a Premier League campaign, matching the five‑point haul recorded in the 2014‑15 season. Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville described the Martínez own‑goal as "a real mess," while also lambasting United’s overall performance.
He singled out a 15‑minute spell of passive possession before the opening goal as "the worst 15 minutes I have ever seen Manchester United play." The criticism was not limited to defensive lapses; United’s attacking play also left much to be desired. Bruno Fernandes, for instance, struck the post from a well‑crafted cut‑back by Cunha in the first half, and the Brazilian’s heavily deflected effort later in the game clanged against the woodwork before finally finding the net. Fulham’s goalkeeper, Bernd Leno, was called upon repeatedly, making a series of full‑stretch saves that kept the home side in the game. Despite his heroics, Leno could not prevent the late leveller.
The equaliser was heartbreaking for United’s interim manager, Álvaro Arbeloa, who is still chasing his first Premier League victory. Nonetheless, Arbeloa can take some solace from United’s improved performance compared with their recent draw at Anfield, which helped them climb out of the bottom‑place spot on goal difference.
The broader picture for United remains bleak. The accumulation of poor displays early in the season has set off alarm bells throughout Manchester. While the point at Craven Cottage stops the slide temporarily, the squad must undergo a significant tactical and mental overhaul during the upcoming three‑week international break if they hope to fulfill their ambitions of challenging for honours this season. After the match, Cunha spoke to Sky Sports, 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.
It is frustrating for us. 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.
It is hard. 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." Carrick, reflecting on the performance, told Sky Sports: "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." Fulham’s manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who also serves as United’s caretaker, initially blamed refereeing decisions, claiming the match was marred by unfavorable calls: "We were so close. So, so close.
We were a little bit unlucky again. We knew it would be difficult against this big team.
Also we knew what happened last week. We have seen what the referees have been doing in all the matches so it was a difficult game. And we were unlucky.
All fouls for them. You can see before they scored, the foul against Maguire, it's a guy who is 100 kilos.
Every decision was for them and I knew after the game against Man City that they would not let Manchester United lose here. We deserved a little bit more." In a later press conference Arbeloa softened his tone, admitting his English was limited and choosing to focus on his team's performance rather than the officials: "My English is not so good. Maybe I explain myself so bad 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' SAVE! Martínez unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the Fulham box, forcing Leno to stretch to the top‑corner.
- 25' POST! Cunha maneuvered around Affengruber and cut the ball back, only for Fernandes to smash his effort against the far post.
- 28' SAVE! Lammens denied Josh King’s close‑range volley after a cross from Alex Iwobi.
- 31' CHANCES! Gonzalo García mis‑hit a volley, Sander Berge’s follow‑up was saved by Lammens, and Oscar Bobb’s drive went wide. - 31' POST!
A heavy deflection sent Cunha’s shot over Leno, which then struck the far post and rebounded for a corner. - 63' OWN GOAL! After a sluggish start to the second half, Bassey overpowered Cunha, his shot was parried by Lammens and then bundled back past the keeper by Martínez.
- 86' PENALTY APPEALS! United appealed for a handball by Bassey after Martínez’s ball hit him, but the referee deemed the contact incidental.
- 89' GOAL! Cunha’s deflected strike finally gave United the late equaliser. The match underscored United’s urgent need for defensive solidity, sharper attacking intent, and greater consistency.
As the club heads into a three‑week break, the coaching staff will have to assess the squad, address the tactical shortcomings highlighted by the Fulham game, and instill the resilience required to turn narrow defeats and draws into victories. Only by making decisive adjustments can Manchester United hope to climb the table, close the gap on Manchester City, and restore the confidence of a fan base accustomed to competing at the highest level.