United Beyond Manchester

Manchester United lost to Fulham in penalties to leave the club with just one remaining opportunity at silverware this season.

Match Flow

Manchester United started well, creating a couple of chances and forcing two saves from Bernd Leno.

As the first half wore on, Fulham grew into the match, creating a few chances, including a fantastic opportunity for Sasa Lukic, and forcing United deeper. Their improvement culminated in an advantage just before halftime, created by a well-worked set-piece routine.

A corner in the first minute of stoppage time from Andreas Pereira found the head of Rodrigo Muniz, who was left unmarked as he crossed the box. The Brazilian striker flicked the ball towards the back post where Calvin Bassey had found space, and the center back headed past Andre Onana for a Cottager lead with the last action of the first half.

After a quiet spell to start the second half, Manchester United leveled through Bruno Fernandes. The captain struck a Diogo Dalot cross beautifully with his left foot, finding the far corner of Leno’s net in the 71st minute.

Fulham pushed for a winner in stoppage time and nearly found one through Emile Smith-Rowe in the fourth added minute. The former Arsenal attacker struck a shot well from the top of the box, but Onana was level to it and got his fingertips to the ball to turn it behind.

Manchester United saw three opportunities go begging before the final whistle. Chido Obi used his strength to get around Calvin Bassey in the 96th minute but made a mess of the shot. Alejandro Garnacho and Obi each had chances in the final phase of play, but Garnacho had his shot saved, and Obi’s flashed just wide.

Obi nearly put the Reds ahead in the first half of extra time with an opportunistic chance, but Leno saved well with a flailing hand. The second half of extra time had little action and the match advanced to penalties.

Penalty Kicks

Bruno Fernandes: Goal, 1-0

Raul Jimenez: Goal, 1-1

Diogo Dalot: Goal, 2-1

Sasha Lukic: Goal, 2-2

Casemiro: Goal, 3-2

Willian: Goal, 3-3

Victor Lindelof: Saved, 3-3

Antonee Robinson: Goal, 3-4

Joshua Zirkzee: Saved, 3-4

Quick Analysis

The only consistent aspect of Manchester United’s game this season has been lapses in concentration. Fulham’s opening goal emanated from a set-piece routine that saw not one, but two Cottagers left alone by the United defense. Rodrigo Muniz’s flicked header came from a simple run that saw him inexplicably left alone. The goal scorer, Calvin Bassey, was also given too much space as Noussair Mazraoui was late in challenging the header that found the net. It’s been a long season for the Reds that has only been made more difficult by these mistakes.

Chido Obi deserves a chance to play over Rasmus Hojlund. Although the 17-year-old did not score, he created significantly more problems for Fulham than Hojlund did. Obi had three shots, one of which was on target, and nearly doubled Hojlund’s touches in fewer minutes of play. While Obi certainly needs some development, it may be time to consider moving on from Rasmus Hojlund entirely.

Next Match

Manchester United travel to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 on Thursday before hosting second-place Arsenal on Sunday.