Gary Neville was right as United claw a late equaliser at Fulham
Matheus Cunha’s late deflected strike earned Utd a point at Fulham, sparking a chorus of agreement with Gary Neville’s scathing verdict on the performance. The draw leaves Utd five games into the Premier League still ten points adrift of Manchester City, a worrying start for the club.
Own goal gives Fulham the lead
The opening goal arrived in the 63rd minute when Calvin Bassey’s loose pass was intercepted by Lisandro Martinez, whose shot was parried by Senne Lammens before ricocheting into his own net. The own‑goal gave Fulham the lead and highlighted United’s defensive frailties. Sky co‑commentator Gary Neville described the display as “absolutely pathetic”. Harry Maguire, 33, later lost his balance and crashed into a crate of bottles on the touchline, underscoring the lack of composure.
United fight back to equalise
United pressed for an equaliser, with Bruno Fernandes rattling the post and Matheus Cunha’s looping effort also finding the woodwork. The crowd turned on manager Michael Carrick when he substituted Kobbie Mainoo, booing the change as the team chased a leveller. In the final minute, Cunha’s strike deflected off David Affengruber to level the score, rescuing a point.
Implications for United's season
Comments Sport opinion John Cross, Chief Football Writer, posted at 19:26 on 20 Sep 2026 (View 3 Images), noting that United “used to win games in Fergie time” but now “snatch a lucky draw from the jaws of defeat”. Five games in, United sit ten points behind Manchester City and face a three‑week international break without the morale boost a win would have provided. The result also leaves Fulham off the bottom of the table while Tottenham remain rock bottom heading into the break.
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Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted in the posh seats, watching a performance he would likely find baffling. The fans’ frustration was evident as they jeered the substitution and expressed disappointment in the team’s lack of cutting edge. Such scenes echo the club’s recent pattern of spending millions without a clear plan.
In the background, joint owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe made damning remarks about the country being “on the slide” in an interview about government policy, a comment many deemed poorly timed. His lack of self‑awareness added to the sense of chaos surrounding United’s current experiment under Michael Carrick.
United’s first five fixtures – Hull, Ipswich, Everton, Manchester City and Fulham – began as a friendly run but have now been blown apart. The early promise of a solid start has evaporated, leaving the squad searching for direction.
With the international break looming, Carrick has plenty to ponder, and the squad must regroup to avoid further embarrassment. That will be crucial if Man United hope to close the gap to Manchester City and revive the expectations of a club once synonymous with late‑stage heroics.