Manchester United drew 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage in a Premier League match on Sunday, August 24. The Red Devils thus earned their first point of the season after their 1-0 home loss to Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim’s team got the lead through an own goal, but Fulham then equalised to snatch a point from them. Manchester United are 16th in the league table with a solitary point from their two matches.
Manchester United Looked Okay, but Lacked the Lethal Edge
United once again showed signs of improvement compared to last season, but looked far from being a team that could rule the roost in Premier League. Amorim once again opted to have Benjamin Sesko on the bench and started Mason Mount as the left-sided attacking midfielder in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Mount moved infield to play a few quick and probing passes to Matheus Cunha, who started as the centre-forward. Cunha managed to hit the post from one of those quick passes as well.
However, most of Manchester United’s attacks were through the left side of the pitch, with Patrick Dorgu overlapping tirelessly and Mount often justifying his selection in the playing XI.
In comparison, Amad Diallo, who started as the right wing-back, had a quiet first half and was justifiably replaced by Diogo Dalot in the second half. It was Dalot’s overlapping run through the right that earned United a corner from which their goal was scored.
It was probably clear that Amad was not enjoying playing wide on the right in defence with a weaker right foot. If he is to be played as a wing-back, he has to play as the left wing-back. Otherwise, he could be played in place of Mbeumo as the right-sided attacking midfielder.
Moreover, when Sesko was introduced in the second half, Cunha moved to the left side replacing Mount and the latter started playing alongside Bruno Fernandes as a holding midfielder. This was another concern for United, as neither Fernandes nor Mount was a proper defensive midfielder.
Fernandes missed a penalty in the first half, following a minor collision with the referee prior to taking the kick. The Portuguese had a largely forgettable outing in a deeper role, as United kept missing a creative influence mostly in the final third.
Cunha tried hard, but could not manage to break through Fulham’s defence. Fernandes’ presence upfront with the front-three would have ensured the flow of passes inside the opposition half.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Goalkeeping Woes Haunt Manchester City as Well in Defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
A Tough Road Ahead
United will face Burnley next in their third league match of the season before locking horns with Manchester City on September 14.
The Red Devils do not have a great record against their city rivals in the recent past. However, the Cityzens have also proved to be vulnerable of late and it might be an interesting match.
But unless United sort out the issues those are hampering them, it will not be proper to expect a great performance from them.
However, before that, they will have to beat Burnley, who secured promotion from Championship last season. United cannot afford to drop points in that match if they are to harbour the ambition of finishing in a reasonable position in the league table.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Recording Date: 24.08.2025