After Manchester United’s impressive display in the defeat against Arsenal, the focus now had to turn to getting points on the board, and with a week of preparation and training (exactly what Amorim had been craving with his side), a trip down to Fulham which has been a happy hunting ground in recent seasons, could have been the perfect opportunity to get United away from their issues in collecting wins, and a few points secured early.

The game however didn’t quite pan out that way, as United set off quick from the start, and after a few close chances and wasted moments in the first half, they broke the deadlock around the hour mark, before sitting back and allowing Fulham to build up pressure which eventually resulted in the equaliser. With old habits creeping back into United, a feeling that change might not be fully complete from last season, and a few odd selection and substitution decisions making some question the suitability of the system for United’s stars under Amorim, the inquest has already begun despite getting a point on the board, with United still sitting in the bottom half.

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Teams

Fulham: Leno, Sessegnon (Robinson 62′), Bassey, Andersen, Tete, Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, King (Smith Rowe 71′), Castagne (Wilson 62′), Muniz (Jimenez 71′)

Subs: Lecomte, Cuenca, Reed, Cairney, Traore

Manchester United: Bayindir, Shaw (Heaven 87′), De Ligt, Yoro (Maguire 87′), Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro (Ugarte 69′), Amad (Dalot 52′), Mount (Sesko 53′), Mbeumo, Cunha

Subs: Onana, Fredricson, Mainoo, Zirkzee

Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

It was a brisk August afternoon at Craven Cottage as Manchester United and Fulham played out a 1–1 draw in the early stages of the 25/26 Premier League season. Goals came from unexpected sources with Leny Yoro’s towering header, a corner that deflected off Rodrigo Muniz, handing United the lead just after the hour mark. But Fulham’s response was swift and emphatic, with Emile Smith Rowe equalizing barely 90 seconds after entering the pitch.

The first half had been pulsating with near-misses and good saves. United looked dangerous early on, with Matheus Cunha hitting the post and forcing a smart stop from Fulham’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno. However, the real turning point came when Bruno Fernandes was awarded a penalty, only to sky it over the bar, possibly unsettled by an unforeseen contact from referee Chris Kavanagh.

Fulham manager Marco Silva clearly instilled belief in his team, and his substitutions paid dividends. Smith Rowe’s equaliser was expertly delivered following a precise cross from Alex Iwobi, stitching together a slick move that undone United’s defence. Fulham’s reaction showcased not only their cohesion but also their spirit, in contrast with United’s drop in intensity after taking the lead.

Manchester United boss Rúben Amorim was critical of his side’s performance, lamenting that his team “went defensive” too soon and lost the initiative, a setback that cost them all three points. With just one point from their opening two games, United find themselves trailing the early pace-setters, already five points behind league leaders Arsenal.

Talking Points

Manchester United’s trip to Craven Cottage followed a frustratingly familiar pattern. They started the game brightly, creating chances through Matheus Cunha and looking the sharper side in the opening exchanges. Yet once they edged in front via Leny Yoro’s header, albeit one that took a heavy deflection, the momentum noticeably shifted. United dropped deeper, retreated into themselves, and their attacking players quickly drifted out of the game. Fulham’s equaliser from Emile Smith Rowe was a gut punch, but it felt almost inevitable given how passive the visitors had become after scoring. Rúben Amorim will know supporters are already weary of this script: a promising start undone by a defensive mindset and lapses in concentration at the back.

Another intriguing subplot came in goal, where Altay Bayindir kept his place ahead of André Onana. The Turkish goalkeeper has now started the opening two games of the season and didn’t do much wrong here, making a couple of tidy stops and showing composure with the ball at his feet. Still, with reports swirling about United targeting yet another goalkeeper before the transfer deadline, the situation remains cloudy. Amorim’s decision to stick with Bayindir suggests some trust, but it also underlines how unsettled United’s goalkeeping picture has become just one year on from Onana’s high-profile arrival.

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, endured an afternoon to forget. His missed penalty in the first half set the tone for a display littered with misplaced passes, slowed transitions, and visible frustration. Yet Amorim resisted the temptation to substitute his captain, even as the game cried out for fresh legs and ideas in midfield. The Portuguese international’s place in the side is rarely questioned, but his off-day against Fulham only highlighted United’s dependence on him, and perhaps a lack of willingness from the bench to make the bold call of taking him off when he’s struggling.

Perhaps most baffling for the away fans was the absence of Kobbie Mainoo, who wasn’t introduced at any stage despite United chasing the game late on. Instead, Amorim turned to more defensive-minded options, moves that appeared to stunt United’s ability to wrestle back control. Mainoo, a breakout star last season, is seen as the player who can bring energy and composure in midfield, and his omission left supporters scratching their heads. With the team crying out for drive and invention, the decision to overlook him, while simultaneously watching the attack fizzle out, felt like another misstep in a day that raised more questions than it answered.