Carrick rues Leno saves as Manchester United draw 1-1 at Fulham

Manchester United were held to a 1-1 Premier League draw by Fulham after Matheus Cunha’s late, deflected effort cancelled out Lisandro Martinez’s own goal. Michael Carrick believed his side had produced enough chances to win, but Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno repeatedly denied the visitors during a frustrating afternoon.

United’s difficult opening continues

The point leaves United 12th in the table after collecting five points from their first five league matches. It matches the club’s joint-worst return at this point of a Premier League campaign, equalling the total from 2014-15.

Carrick said the performance gave his team reasons for encouragement despite the result, particularly after a strong finish. He felt United had created sufficient opportunities to take all three points, only for Leno to make a series of decisive saves.

• Manchester United have five points from five Premier League games.
• The club sit 12th ahead of the international break.
• It is their joint-lowest points total after five matches, also recorded in 2014-15.
• United struck the post twice and generated several further openings.

Fulham profit from chaotic opener

Fulham took the lead following a messy sequence inside the United area. Senne Lammens did not fully deal with Calvin Bassey’s low shot, and Martinez inadvertently turned the loose ball into his own net.

Carrick suggested there was a possible foul on Cunha earlier in the move, arguing that the incident developed quickly after the effort came through bodies. He also said several fine margins had recently gone against United.

Rather than allow the setback to undermine them, United pushed on. Carrick praised his players’ response and said the manner in which they closed the match was the principal positive, with the team coming close to completing a turnaround.

Cunha finds a late equaliser

United eventually broke through as the game moved towards the 90th minute. Cunha struck from around 20 yards, with the ball taking a substantial touch off Fulham defender David Affengruber before beating Leno and finding the corner.

The goal finally defeated a goalkeeper Carrick identified as the central obstacle to a United win. The United manager credited Leno with three outstanding stops and pointed to the two efforts that hit the woodwork as further evidence of his side’s attacking threat.

Asked whether United had been too passive at stages, Carrick rejected that view. He said his side controlled much of the opening half, while accepting that no club can expect complete command throughout a Premier League match.

Lessons before the international break

United now enter the international window with a disappointing early points return but with Carrick focused on the progress he believes is being made. He described the squad as a work in progress and said there were clear areas for improvement alongside encouraging elements in the display.

The late equaliser prevented a defeat, but United will need to turn their chance creation into wins when domestic action resumes if they are to recover quickly from their slow start.