Fulham 1-1 Manchester United: Martinez 63 o.g.; Cunha 89
If there was anything positive for Manchester United to take away from this match, it was that the late draw prevented a difficult week from becoming even worse. Matheus Cunha scored a deflected equaliser to spare his side a third defeat in seven days as Michael Carrick’s side drew 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Having lost ignominiously to Manchester City and Brighton, United had looked set to suffer another damaging result after Lisandro Martinez’s second-half own goal put Fulham ahead.
But with two minutes remaining, Cunha collected possession outside the Fulham area and attempted a low shot towards the near corner. The ball took a huge deflection off David Affengruber and looped beyond Bernd Leno to earn United a point.
However, the performance offered little evidence that a gloomy United side can see the sun again. Carrick’s side struggled badly for most of the game and were largely outplayed by Fulham, who will feel they missed an opportunity to give Alvaro Arbeloa his first Premier League victory as manager.
They were the more threatening side for much of the first half and also created several chances after the break, only for United to escape with a draw.
The hosts made the brighter start, with Gonzalo Garcia shooting wide after being picked out by Antonee Robinson. Josh King then tested Senne Lammens from a tight angle after finding space around Luke Shaw.
United had their moments. Martinez forced Leno into a good save from distance before Cunha created their best opening of the half. The Brazilian worked his way past Affengruber near the byline and pulled the ball back for Bruno Fernandes, whose effort struck the far post.
Fulham continued to threaten, with Lammens making a series of saves. Sander Berge was denied after getting into a dangerous position, while Oscar Bobb dragged an effort wide from the edge of the area. At the other end, Cunha’s deflected shot dropped onto the outside of the post.
The chances continued to come without either side finding a breakthrough before half-time. Marcus Rashford also had an opportunity after Cunha’s cross found him, but the forward lifted his effort over the bar.
United attempted to raise the tempo after the interval but instead fell behind through a remarkable sequence of errors.
Cunha lost possession in midfield under pressure from Calvin Bassey, who powered forward before shooting straight at Lammens. The United goalkeeper failed to deal convincingly with the effort, and Martínez then attempted to clear the loose ball while facing his own goal.
The defender’s attempted intervention sent the ball back towards Lammens, who was unable to keep it out. It was credited as an own goal against Martínez and gave Fulham the lead.
United responded by pushing higher, but their attacking play remained short of invention. Bryan Mbeumo tested Leno with a curling effort and Cunha also forced the Fulham goalkeeper into a good save, yet Fulham remained dangerous on the counter.
Lammens recovered from his error with important interventions of his own. He denied King and later raced from his goal to prevent Iwobi from making it 2-0.
Fulham appeared increasingly likely to hold on for the win, particularly as United’s inability to break down compact defences was laid bare once more. But then came Cunha.
