Manchester United salvaged a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday, courtesy of a late equaliser from Matheus Cunha. However, the result did little to lift the mounting pressure on manager Michael Carrick following another uninspired performance.
Desperate for a win at Craven Cottage, United instead had to settle for a single point, having fallen behind in the second half to a comical own goal by Lisandro Martinez. The defender inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Senne Lammens had parried Calvin Bassey’s shot.
Though Cunha’s last-minute strike spared United from a third consecutive defeat, there was little to celebrate for Carrick or his embattled squad. United have now managed just one win in their last five Premier League outings and already trail leaders Manchester City by 10 points.
With three losses in their first seven matches across all competitions, United enter the international break amid intense scrutiny of Carrick’s leadership. The manager has stated he is unconcerned about his future at Old Trafford, but after recent demoralising defeats to Manchester City and Brighton, this draw marked another setback for his tenure.
Last weekend’s derby loss to City was sealed by Erling Haaland’s controversial winner—later acknowledged as an officiating error—while United surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose against Brighton in the League Cup midweek. Escaping with a draw against lowly Fulham added to a season already filled with disappointment.
Expected to build on last season’s third-place finish, United have regressed since Carrick’s permanent appointment following his successful interim spell. Their next test comes at home against bottom-placed Tottenham on October 10, a must-win fixture for both Carrick and Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.
United’s struggles were evident from the start, barely avoiding an early deficit when Fulham’s Gonzalo Garcia missed a clear chance.
Bruno Fernandes and Martinez threatened for United, but Bernd Leno produced a fine save, and Fernandes later struck the post. Defensive frailties persisted, with Josh King and Sander Berge both testing Lammens, and Oscar Bobb missing a golden opportunity for Fulham.
As Fulham pressed late in the first half, Lammens was kept busy, denying King and then Alex Iwobi as United’s defence wobbled under pressure.
The breakthrough came after Cunha lost possession deep in United territory; Bassey’s shot was saved by Lammens, but Martinez’s misguided clearance ricocheted into the United net off the goalkeeper.
United responded with a late surge, Leno saving from Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha, before the latter’s long-range effort was deflected in off David Affengruber in the 89th minute, earning United a point on an otherwise frustrating afternoon for Carrick.
