Manchester United earned a point at Craven Cottage after Michael Carrick’s men laboured to a 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Following a particularly challenging week, the travelling support endured their side falling behind after Lisandro Martinez’s own goal.
But with the fixture looking like another tragic chapter in an already bizarre campaign, Matheus Cunha levelled affairs late to salvage a share of the spoils in London.
Regardless, United were pedestrian and lacked the cutting edge of Carrick’s team from last season, raising further questions about suitability.
The 20-time English champions head into the international break with a second draw from five Premier League fixtures, occupying 12th place with five points from a possible 15.
A three-week break is a daunting place to stew, especially if your side has just delivered another underwhelming Premier League performance.
Defeats to City and Brighton piled pressure on Carrick, with little acceptance for anything other than a commanding response at Craven Cottage.
Make no mistake, United have struggled for a variety of reasons, none of which should be a talking point in September. But the remedy exists in this dressing room, and the players own equal responsibility.
Fulham endured problems of their own under Alvaro Arbeloa and entered the fixture in 20th position. Nonetheless, a Carabao Cup victory over West Ham followed a hard-earned point at Anfield, and with it a semblance of momentum.
Despite an imperious record against the Cottagers, United had to exit the blocks with purpose—not just for themselves, but for the travelling contingent who spend their hard-earned money supporting the side.
Carrick returned to his favoured starting XI after the midweek defeat to Brighton, with Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes joining Marcus Rashford in an attractive attack.
But with Fulham content to retain possession where possible, much of the early exchanges were routine, leading to a rather arduous spectacle with little intensity.
Martinez did his best to quell that, threatening with a 30-yard half-volley after a well-worked corner routine, forcing a fine save from Bernd Leno inside the opening quarter.
Fernandes began to orchestrate matters as the half progressed. The Portuguese injected some pace when needed and struck the post with a delicate effort after 25 minutes.
In response, Fulham enjoyed a purple spell and forced several impressive saves from Senne Lammens, with Joshua King looking particularly dangerous. Worryingly, the Belgians’ left flank was routinely exposed.
United are a far better team when they move the ball quickly and saw much of their best work as a result. Cunha hit the woodwork with a deflected effort before Rashford scuffed a brace of well-worked efforts late in the half.
You have to question why this group refuses to play with more regular intensity, though.
Once more, Carrick ignored his substitutes’ bench at the restart, highlighting his commitment to pre-game tactics and philosophies.
The opening exchanges were again laboured and predictable, with neither side hitting the target during the opening quarter.
United are regularly the architects of their own downfall, and added to that worrying portfolio when Martinez steered the ball into his own net after Lammens denied Calvin Bassey from distance.
Carrick’s side pressed for an equaliser and tested Leno twice from long range in response. But with 70 minutes played, Fulham had run 3.5 miles further than their guests; make of that what you will.
Joshua Zirkzee replaced Rashford for the final 15 minutes, before Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu joined proceedings moments later.
The Reds powered forward and eventually restored parity in the 89th minute, when Cunha’s long-range deflected effort finally beat Fulham’s number one.
One point is always better than nothing. Regardless, the contrast in attitude and energy before and after conceding was alarming. And that is a familiar occurrence.
If the manner of the capitulation against Brighton earned doubters, this performance will enhance the growing discontent around the club, as Carrick’s Reds sit 12th with five points from five outings.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels. Photo via News Images via depositphotos.com.
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