Manchester United salvaged a 1-1 draw against Fulham after a late deflected goal from Matheus Cunha, leaving the club in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Manchester United earned a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Saturday following an 89th-minute deflected strike from Matheus Cunha. The result provided a reprieve for manager Michael Carrick’s side, which entered the match following a Carabao Cup loss to Brighton and a defeat in the Manchester derby. Fulham, managed by Alvaro Arbeloa, remains winless in the Premier League this season but moved off the bottom of the table on goal difference.

Defensive struggles and match events

Fulham took the lead in the 67th minute after an own goal by Lisandro Martinez. The sequence began when Fulham defender Calvin Bassey fired a shot that was parried by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, only for the ball to deflect off Martinez and into the net. Gary Neville, providing commentary for Sky Sports, described the defensive play leading up to the goal as chaotic and criticized United's passive possession during the first half. United had several opportunities to score earlier in the match. Bruno Fernandes hit the post in the 25th minute, and a deflected shot from Cunha also struck the woodwork. Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made multiple saves throughout the game, including efforts to deny Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha in the second half.

United's difficult start to the season

With only five points from their first five league matches, Manchester United is currently in the bottom half of the Premier League standings. This record marks the club's joint-worst start to a Premier League campaign, matching their performance at the same stage in the 2014-15 season. The team is currently 10 points behind league leaders Manchester City. Following the match, United players expressed frustration regarding the team's performance and energy levels. The squad is now entering a three-week international break, a period described as a crucial time for the team to address their form and improve across all positions.