Fulham FC and Manchester United drew 1-1 in a balanced match that ultimately ended in a fair result.
Home team coach Marco Silva made three changes to his starting lineup from the 1-1 draw against Brighton: Jimenez, Wilson, and Cuenca dropped out of the starting lineup and were replaced by Muniz, Castagne, and Sessegnon.
United coach Ruben Amorim made one change to his lineup after the 0-1 defeat to Arsenal FC: Amad started in place of Diogo Dalot.
Bruno Fernandes misses penalty
The game didn’t take long to get going. Less than three minutes in, Cunha hit the right post (3′). King then appeared unmarked in front of Bayindir at the other end but failed to score, but it was United who looked the more dangerous. The Red Devils’ goalkeeper sent Cunha through on goal, but the Brazilian failed to beat Leno (14′). Both teams then took a breather and the game flattened out a little.
It wasn’t until the 35th minute that VAR intervened to provide the next highlight. Bassey brought Mount down, and after reviewing the footage, Kavanagh pointed to the spot. Bruno Fernandes took charge, but sent the ball into the stands (38′). When Fulham looked dangerous, it was mostly from corners, as in the 42nd minute: Bayindir, who was often blocked, looked extremely uncertain with his crosses and missed the ball, allowing Muniz to almost nod in the lead.
The same thing happened in stoppage time, but de Ligt saved (45+2). The second half did not start as energetically as the first, but it only took ten minutes for the first highlight.
At the back, Yoro cleared with a perfect tackle (54′), and four minutes later he scored with a header from a corner (58′). Fulham did not let themselves be discouraged, however, and coach Silva made a double substitution, bringing Jimenez and Smith Rowe into the game.
And the latter delivered less than two minutes later: a cross slipped past Jimenez and Smith Rowe finished into the bottom corner (73′). Fulham pressed in the aftermath, putting the Red Devils under considerable pressure during this phase, but Ruben Amorim’s team had another great chance. Maguire nodded the ball just wide of the left post after a fine corner from Mbeumo (89).
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday in the League Cup. Fulham face second-tier Bristol City at home (8:45 p.m.), while ManUnited travel to fourth-tier Grimsby Town (9 p.m.). In the Premier League, Fulham face a London derby at Chelsea on Saturday (1:30 p.m.), while the Red Devils host Burnley two and a half hours later (4 p.m.).
