Manchester United’s disappointing start to the Premier League season continued with a 1-1 draw at Fulham, as Matheus Cunha’s late equaliser rescued a point following another performance that raised questions about Michael Carrick’s side.
United fell behind shortly after the hour mark when Lisandro Martinez turned the ball into his own net. The visitors had struggled throughout the opening stages of the second half, prompting former captain Gary Neville to deliver a particularly harsh assessment of their lack of effort and intensity.
Cunha eventually levelled in the 89th minute with a deflected strike, but the late recovery offered limited consolation after a difficult week for the club.
United had previously lost the Manchester derby despite City being reduced to 10 men midway through the first half. They also suffered a home defeat against Brighton after surrendering a two-goal advantage, their first such loss to the Seagulls in more than 50 years.
The Fulham result leaves United with five points from five league matches, sitting 12th in the table and already 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Neville Questions United’s Effort as Carrick Defends Squad
Neville’s criticism focused on United’s performance during the opening 15 minutes of the second half, when Fulham took control before Martinez’s own goal.
Concerns about the squad’s physical condition had already emerged during pre-season, when midfielder Youri Tielemans revealed that running had not been a priority in United’s preparations.
Cunha acknowledged after the match that Fulham had shown greater energy immediately after the interval, adding to the debate surrounding United’s fitness and intensity.
Carrick rejected suggestions that his players lacked the necessary physical conditioning. He pointed to their stronger finish and sustained pressure in the closing stages as evidence that fitness was not responsible for their difficulties.
The manager also faced criticism from travelling supporters when he substituted Kobbie Mainoo with 11 minutes remaining. The decision was greeted with boos as United searched for an equaliser.
Carrick defended the change, confirming that Mainoo had accepted the decision. He acknowledged supporters’ frustration but praised their backing throughout the match and expressed confidence that his team could build on its late response.
Injuries Add to United’s Difficult Start
United’s early-season struggles have been complicated by the absence of several players.
Summer signing Carlos Baleba, recruited for £70m, is still awaiting his debut, while Matthijs de Ligt was unavailable despite travelling with the squad.
Striker Benjamin Sesko also missed the Fulham match after aggravating a shin problem against Brighton. The forward had previously suffered a prolonged absence with the same issue last season, eventually undergoing a recovery programme that kept him out for more than three months.
Carrick confirmed that the extent of Sesko’s latest injury remains unclear, leaving uncertainty over when the striker could return.
Fulham, meanwhile, moved off the bottom of the Premier League table following the draw, climbing above Tottenham.
Off-Field Concerns Increase Pressure on United
United’s disappointing results have coincided with growing supporter dissatisfaction over the club’s ticketing arrangements, particularly measures introduced as part of its crackdown on ticket touting.
Financial matters are also attracting attention, with United preparing to publish their full-year results for the period ending 30 June on Wednesday. The figures are expected to provide further details about the club’s debt position.
Meanwhile, plans for a new stadium costing more than £2bn remain under discussion. A planning application could be submitted alongside the wider Old Trafford masterplan, currently scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028.
Having unexpectedly guided United back into the Champions League last season, Carrick now faces the challenge of restoring consistency while managing growing scrutiny of his team.
The manager acknowledged that United should have collected more points from their opening fixtures but rejected suggestions that confidence within the squad had collapsed.
He remains convinced that his players can recover over the course of the campaign, although the draw at Fulham leaves United searching for the improvement needed to move up the Premier League table.