Manchester United left frustrated by Fulham

Fulham 1 - 1 Manchester United 

Bruno Fernandes was left to rue a missed first-half penalty as Emile Smith Rowe struck late to earn Fulham a point against Manchester United.

Author | Olivia T

Stadium | Craven Cottage

The United captain appeared to have avoided embarrassment when Leny Yoro’s deflected header, credited as a Rodrigo Muniz own goal, put the visitors in front midway through the second half.

But Smith Rowe, introduced from the bench, levelled with a sharp finish after Alex Iwobi’s cross ricocheted into the six-yard box. His intervention ensured a 1-1 draw and deepened the frustration around Fernandes’ failure from the spot.

The midfielder had looked composed as referee Chris Kavanagh took his time reviewing Calvin Bassey’s challenge on Mason Mount at a corner. Yet Fernandes collided with the official as he prepared for the kick and, after regrouping, fired his effort high over the bar. It was his first penalty miss since December 2023.

United again showed flashes of quality but remain winless at the start of the season. Fulham, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience to halt a run of eight successive home defeats against United, though they too are still chasing a first victory of the campaign.

Early days but United’s frontline misfires

United's only strike so far this season is an own goal by Rodrigo Muniz. They might lament their inability to leave Craven Cottage with three points but that is chiefly centred around another penalty, which Bruno Fernandes sent high over the bar.

It is probably not what Amorim would have expected after a summer outlay of £200m on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Sesko.

It is fair to put forward some mitigation on United's behalf. Sesko has had two weeks' worth of training sessions with his new team-mates, who themselves are getting their heads around a different style of play.

The 22-year-old came off the bench for 37 minutes at Craven Cottage - to add to the 25 he got against Arsenal. As Amorim pointed out, his introduction came when United were "not in their best moment".

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Cunha came close to a sensational first-half goal when he controlled a 70-yard pass with a magnificent left-footed touch as the ball dropped over his shoulder, before striking an effort on goal with his right foot, which Bernd Leno did well to keep out.

The Brazilian also hit a post after being set up by Mount and has made such an eye-catching start to his United career, it feels like a question of time before he does find the net.

Mbeumo too worked hard and, had it not been for the exceptional pace of USA international Antonee Robinson, would have been bearing down on the Fulham goal in the latter stages of the game.

Yet United's attack feels at present like a group of talented players trying to get used to each other rather than a coherent unit. Will they all start on Wednesday night against Grimsby?

Who's United’s first choice keeper?

Manchester United’s goalkeeping picture remains clouded in uncertainty, with debate over the position intensifying.

The club have monitored Senne Lammens’ situation at Royal Antwerp throughout the summer and discussions have accelerated in recent days. The 23-year-old was omitted from Antwerp’s Belgian Pro League win over Mechelen shortly before United’s draw with Fulham, fuelling speculation over his future.

The reasons for his absence have not been confirmed and it is equally unclear whether United will look to move a goalkeeper on before making space for the former Belgium youth international.

There had been an expectation that Andre Onana would return at Craven Cottage, yet the teamsheet revealed Altay Bayindir had retained his place.