A MISSED penalty from Bruno Fernandes and an equaliser from Emile Smith Rowe left Ruben Amorim’s new-look Manchester United still awaiting lift-off.
For a second successive Sunday, United were undone by the Arsenal – Mikel Arteta’s side winning at Old Trafford last weekend before Gunners old boys Alex Iwobi and Smith Rowe combined for Fulham’s leveller.
Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty as Man United were held to a draw by FulhamShutterstock Editorial
AFPThe Red Devils had to rely on an own-goal to open their account for the season[/caption]
Captain Fernandes had blazed a first-half penalty over the bar before Leny Yoro’s deflected header handed United the lead early in the second period.
There were signs of promise from Matheus Cunha, who struck the post early on in a lively display, but centre forward Benjamin Sesko did little to impress after arriving as a sub shortly after half-time.
Fulham had been passive and overly respectful until Yoro’s goal but they were the stronger side after Marco Silva made a string of substitutions.
United had won on each of their previous eight visits to Craven Cottage – by a single late goal in each of the last four – but they could not extend their excellent run here and will see this as two points lost.
Amorim made just one change – Amad Diallo for Diogo Dalot at wing-back – from the team who were impressive in that defeat by Arsenal last weekend.
Fulham boss Silva went belt-and-braces – a back five plus two defensive midfielders – an absence of summer signings leaving him short of attacking options.
United made a lively start and Cunha might have scored twice in the opening three minutes – first the former Wolves man rifled one just over from long range, then he drilled against the foot of the post after Patrick Dorgu’s burst down the left flank.
Fulham keeper Leno pushed out Fernandes before Fulham joined in – Ryan Sessegnon releasing teenager Josh King, whose shot was saved by the left boot of Altay Bayindir.
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Then from the Turkish keeper’s long punt, Cunha was clean through on goal, Leno turning shot around the post.
Much like that Arsenal defeat, United were doing most of the attacking but suffering frustration in front of goal.
ReutersFernandes had a brilliant chance to put United ahead but skied his penalty over the bar[/caption]
PAFernandes was inconsolable as Fulham celebrated his misfortune[/caption]
An Alex Iwobi shot was pushed out unconvincingly by Bayindir before the penalty award which took everyone by surprise.
Calvin Bassey – who had been Fulham’s best player, as usual – was penalised for grappling with Mason Mount at a corner, VAR intervening a minute later with the ball at the other end of the pitch.
Ref Chris Kavanagh – loathed at Craven Cottage since he showed Fulham three red cards at an FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford in 2023 – made himself even less popular by announcing the penalty decision on his mic.
Yet Fernandes ballooned his effort into the Hammersmith End and United were still awaiting their first goal of the season.
AFPUnited ended up going ahead when Rodrigo Muniz turned into his own net[/caption]
AlamyThe Brazilian deflected Leny Yoro’s header for an own-goal[/caption]
Kavanagh, largely clueless, then booked Casemiro for nothing.
Diallo had shot from an angle pushed out by Leno early in the second half but it wasn’t long before Amorim sent for Sesko, in place of Casemiro in a positive move.
Yoro was soon forced into a saving tackle to deny Josh King a clear sight of goal.
And the Frenchman had an even more crucial impact at the other end – a Bryan Mbuemo corner was met by Yoro, who pushed over Bassey before his header deflected off the back of Rodrigo Muniz, wrong-footing Leno.
ReutersEmile Smith Rowe came to Fulham’s rescue for the leveller[/caption]
ReutersThe former Arsenal man did the damage against United, just like his old side a week ago[/caption]
Then Silva reverted to a flat back four as he introduced Harry Wilson and Antonee Robinson before Manuel Ugarte replaced Mason Mount.
But it was a Fulham sub which worked – Silva introducing Smith Rowe, who was on the scoresheet within two minutes.
Alex Iwobi sent over a low cross from the left which evaded Matthijs De Ligt, allowing Smith Rowe to poke home from close range.
After a spell of Fulham pressure, Harry Maguire arrived as sub and headed narrowly wide from a corner.
GettyNew signings like Matheus Cunha were unable to make an impact[/caption]
Ruben Amorim has started the season with just one point from two gamesGetty Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
