Player Ratings: Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United salvaged a point late on away against Fulham thanks to a Matheus Cunha goal, after a rather timid display at Craven Cottage.

The match was off to a feisty start, with plenty of chances at both ends. Senne Lammens and Bernd Leno both made a series of saves, with the Belgian saving very well from a Josh King strike, while the Germany leaped excellently to deny Lisandro Martinez a wonderful goal.

Bruno Fernandes and Cunha both hit the woodwork in the first half, while Marcus Rashford squandered an opportunity from close range.

However, it all changed in the second half, with the intensity dropping significantly. Fulham went in front in calamitous fashion, with Calvin Bassey having a strike slightly deflected and then parried by Lammens, with Martinez diverting the ball into his own net.

United looked set to get their third defeat in a week, but Cunha came up with a heroic equaliser, firing a shot from outside of the penalty area that was deflected into the net in the 89th minute.

As a result, United made it five points from five Premier League matches, continuing their woeful start to the season.

Here are how the players fared at Craven Cottage:

Senne Lammens 6

A mixed game from the United shotstopper, who was Player of the Match up until the Fulham goal. The Belgian made save after save, particularly from a King effort and a Gonzalo Garcia strike, while also denying Oscar Bobb and Kevin. However, he made a big error for the hosts' goal, failing to claim the ball, before then deciding against biting the bullet and trying to keep the ball out with his hands.

Diogo Dalot 5

Better than he was in the previous two matches, but that is not saying match. He was bested by Alex Iwobi for large parts of the game, but also looked better going forward.

Harry Maguire 5

Posed a threat in the opposition's penalty area as United chased the game in the latter stages. However, Garcia did prove to be a tough opponent, looking sharp in his movement against the big English defender. Tried to push forward and looked to inject some intensity.

Lisandro Martinez 4

Prior to his own goal, Martinez was actually having quite a positive game. While he was slow on the ball at times, his cutting-edge passes were allowing Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo to find pockets of space in midfield, setting up play well. He had a great strike in the first half that was saved by Leno. However, the own goal could have been avoided. Did not immediately notice that Garcia was not as close to him as he thought, and left Lammens with a tough decision on what to do with the ball heading towards his goal.

Luke Shaw 5

Returned to the team after three games out. While he tried to venture forward at times, he was pushed back by Bobb and King, and was given quite a tough time defensively. United play much better with him in the team rather than without him.

Youri Tielemans 6

The Belgian is growing in his role in the team alongside Mainoo. Tried to make things tick, and while he was neat in his play, United just could not finish off the moves that Mainoo and him started. Provided some brilliant passes, yet he is not having the impact that many fans thought he would have.

Kobbie Mainoo 7

United's best player yet again. Constantly looked to receive the ball under pressure, while also protected it when needed. The player that got United playing forward, and he is starting to become United's most important player. His substitution led to boos from the United crowd.

Bryan Mbeumo 5

Mbeumo was busy during the first half, being heavily involved and holding on to the ball very well when needed on the counter. Had a curled effort that was saved by Leno when United were pushing for a response to going behind. His influence after that waned, while he was also slow in coming back to defend.

Bruno Fernandes 5

Had an attempt hit the post in the first half, but other than that, he was rather anonymous. Tried to produce plenty of flicks in and around the penalty area, but none of them were coming off. Struggled to influence the game.

Marcus Rashford 4

Started yet again, but it was a poor display from the forward. He got the beating of the Fulham backline at times, but he was slow in his decision-making in other moments, while also smashed an effort way over the bar. He desperately needs a goal or to have a game or two from off the bench.

Matheus Cunha 6

The Brazilian started the game very slowly, but he grew into it as the minutes ticked on. Came alive in bursts and he seemed much more comfortable when he was shifted to the left. Tried to push forward and get United attacking on the counter, and he eventually got his side a point with a shot that was deflected into the net.

Substitutes

Joshua Zirkzee 5

Came on for Rashford, and had an effort on target, but could not trouble Leno.

Mason Mount 5

Brought on for Mainoo amidst boos from the crowd for the player being taken off. However, he actually had a decent impact on the team, injecting some intensity.

Patrick Dorgu 6

Brought on late in the game, but set up the equaliser by passing it to Cunha from the left.

Head Coach - Michael Carrick 4

Yet another extremely frustrating result for Michael Carrick in what has been an underwhelming season so far. The team selection was understandable given the absentees, but his players are simply not firing and are lacking any form of intensity. The most worrying stat is how little United players are running in high intensity when compared to other teams in the league, looking unfit for large parts of the game. The Mainoo substitution was strange to say the least.

Carrick seriously needs to get the team firing again, as five points from five matches is just not good enough.