Following an opening day defeat at home to Arsenal, Manchester United couldn’t hold on to their lead against Fulham.
Manchester United failed to win their first game of the new Premier League season last weekend. This Sunday, they traveled to London in search of the three points against Fulham and managed to open the scoring through a Rodrigo Muniz own goal. However, Emile Smith-Rowe came off the bench and brought the hosts level 15 minutes later.
The Red Devils started the game off with great intensity and purpose. Matheus Cunha hit the woodwork two minutes in and had a great chance beautifully denied by Bernd Leno in the 14th minute. To top it all off, Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty late in the first half that could’ve put them ahead even sooner.
Fulham eventually found their groove and pretty much dominated the entire second half, despite conceding first. A Leny Yoro header that was going wide somehow ended in the back of the net thanks to a Rodrigo Muniz deflection.
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Super-sub Emile Smith-Rowe came off the bench and, just two minutes later, made it 1-1 completing a cross from Alex Iwobi.
That was the final score and it was, yet again, a game in which Man United suffered from old problems.
Defending crosses
It’s hard to put a finger on when this started being an issue for Manchester United, but it seems like forever now. Their defensive line simply can’t defend crosses and offer a lot of spaces between centre-backs.
And of course Fulham of all teams would capitalise on that. The Cottagers sent more crosses into the box than any other team in the Premier League last season (894). That seemed like their main plan against the Red Devils right from kick-off – and it paid off.
Overreliance on long balls and overall posture
It looked like it was going to be different today, but it ended up more of the same for Ruben Amorim’s men.
Man United started the match with a lot of short and quick passes, which was refreshing to see. They’re never shy to look for long through balls over the top, but showed many mechanisms and a lot of movement to play from the back and on the ground.
They recorded 13 sequences of 10+ passes today, almost double from the opening game against Arsenal (7). However, eight of them came within the first 30 minutes of play, and just five in the final 60.
Coincidentally or not, the first half hour was precisely when the Red Devils looked their best against Fulham. It would be nice to see Amorim lean into that a little bit more instead of looking for instant verticality. Though it did create a very good chance for them – but at the same time cut their possessions short and allowed Fulham to find their feet.
That also connects to the overall posture in a big picture view. Earlier in the game they were passing the ball around more, taking time and allowing all players to come forward and occupy the attacking half. The pressure wasn’t the highest, but intense and effective.
Seven of their eight high turnovers also came within the first 30 minutes, and just one in the rest of the match. It doesn’t look like Amorim’s style and maybe he wouldn’t be able to sustain it long-term, but this version of United is very interesting. He could push these buttons more often.
Goalkeeping issues
Altay Bayindir has the backing of Amorim and maintained his starter status for the second Premier League game in a row. Unfortunately for the fans, it was the second time he looked shaky between the sticks.
He shows no ability or confidence dealing with corners, free kicks and overall inswinging crosses near the goal. Has little authority in the air, never knows how or when to go out, as well as looking off-balance when doing so. He also collides with players often, which is never good.
Arsenal had already scored like that last weekend following a Bayindir error which saw Riccardo Calafiori score a free header at the back post. Fulham couldn’t convert on set pieces, but managed to attempt five shots from inside the six-yard box – the most United have allowed in a league game since April 2023 (8 to Newcastle). One of them was Smith-Rowe’s goal.
Bayindir is not the answer. Andre Onana showed himself not to be 100% reliable especially last season, but it might be time for the Cameroonian to get another shot.
Luckily for him, that might just happen when United travel to Grimsby Town midweek in the EFL Cup second round. They go again in the Premier League next Saturday (30th), at home against Burnley.