Manchester United's frustrating start to the Premier League season continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage today. A Rodrigo Muniz own goal gave United a second-half lead, but a late equalizer from substitute Emile Smith Rowe ensured the spoils were shared. The draw leaves Ruben Amorim's side winless after two games, raising concerns about their ability to convert chances into goals.
The match began with Manchester United showing promise, looking to silence the critics after a tough opening weekend loss to Arsenal. New signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were at the heart of the attack, with Cunha in particular creating several early chances. The Brazilian striker hit the post and was denied by a superb save from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the opening minutes, with United looking dangerous.
The turning point of the first half came in the 36th minute. After a VAR review for a foul on Mason Mount by Calvin Bassey, United were awarded a penalty. However, captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up and fired his spot-kick high over the bar, squandering a golden opportunity to give his side the lead. The miss visibly affected United, and the game’s momentum shifted in Fulham’s favor.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second half. In the 58th minute, a corner, delivered from the left side by Bruno Fernandes, sailed into the box. Young United defender Leny Yoro rose highest among a cluster of players, heading the ball purposefully towards the Fulham goal. The header was actually going wide, but it took a crucial deflection off the back of Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, wrong-footing goalkeeper Bernd Leno and nestling in the back of the net. The own goal gave United a fortunate and controversial lead.
However, instead of pushing on for a second, United appeared to sit back, inviting Fulham to attack. The Cottagers capitalized in the 73rd minute with a well-worked move down the right flank. Full-back Diogo Dalot was put under pressure and lost the ball to a determined Alex Iwobi. Iwobi drove towards the byline before whipping in a low, inviting cross towards the six-yard box. Substitute Emile Smith Rowe, who had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes, ghosted in unmarked to meet the cross and volley the ball past United's goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from close range. Fulham pushed for a winner, but the match ended in a frustrating draw for both sides.
Player Performances
For Manchester United, there were moments of individual quality, but a lack of a clinical edge. Matheus Cunha was a constant threat, creating several excellent chances, but his finishing let him down. Young defender Leny Yoro was solid in defense and was credited with forcing the own goal. Conversely, Bruno Fernandes had a day to forget, with his missed penalty and a general struggle to impact the game.
For Fulham, it was a solid team performance defined by resilience. Emile Smith Rowe was a hero, making an instant impact to score the equalizer. Alex Iwobi was influential on the wing, providing the assist, and goalkeeper Bernd Leno made several key saves to keep his team in the game.
For Manchester United, this is a concerning start. Their winless run continues, and despite heavy spending and a new manager, they have struggled to find the back of the net. The result invites "uncomfortable comparisons" with previous managers and highlights the club's ongoing issues.
For Fulham, the point is a morale-boosting result against a top-six side. It demonstrates their fighting spirit and tactical discipline, showing that they can compete with the best in the league. The performance was a testament to Marco Silva's tactical plan, which effectively stifled United's midfield.
