Manchester United 3-2 Fulham: Benjamin Sesco came off the bench and Michael Carrick’s side scored the winning goal in stoppage time to deny Fulham a late fightback.
Benjamin Sesco was a Manchester United hero (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United maintained a perfect 100 per cent record under manager Michael Carrick as they progressed into the top four. By the time Sesco curled home the top corner in stoppage time, United looked set to lose their third successive Premier League win.
Amad Diallo and Joachim Andersen made hard-fought saves on either side and United took the lead when Casemiro headed home a powerful header from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick after VAR overturned the penalty.
It was 2-0 when Casemiro played a cheeky no-look pass to find Matheus Cunha and the Brazilian smashed a powerful finish into the roof of the net from an acute angle. Jorge Cuenca’s close goal was ruled out by VAR for offside, but substitute Sesco took his first touch to head the ball onto the post.
Jimenez brought Fulham back into the game from the penalty spot after being brought down by Harry Maguire, while Kevin came off the bench to score a stunning equaliser. However, in the 94th minute, Sesco pushed in Fernandes’ cross to make it 3-2.
Here’s the buzz from the Old Trafford crackers.
Follow Man United’s FB page! Keep up with the latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
read more: Premier League Red Devils show perfect response and explain Manchester United’s VAR penalty reversalread more: Michael Carrick’s beloved player reacts to link, Man United make transfer verdict
1. VAR rights are wrong
United twice called for penalties early in the game, and both times Cuenca actually hit the toe of the ball. The Fulham defender slipped in to challenge Brian Mbeumo first, but the United forward’s appeal was overruled by referee John Brooks.
But a few minutes later, when Cuenca challenged Matheus Cunha next to the signature line, Brooks pointed out the spot. Brooks was forced to change his decision after replays showed the Spaniard had clearly touched the ball. Interestingly, the fact that Cuenca pulled Cunha’s shirt caused the penalty to be changed by VAR to a free kick outside the penalty area, much to the annoyance of Marco Silva, who received a caution in the aftermath.
Fernandes sent the ball into the box, and Casemiro rose above Cuenca and fired a powerful header past Bernd Leno to make it 1-0. This was an important decision.
John Brooks changed the decision from a penalty to a free kick after a VAR review (Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
2. Cunha proves his point.
Manager Michael Carrick had the luxury of naming the same starting XI for the first two matches against Manchester City and Arsenal, but was forced to make his first change against Fulham as Patrick Dorg was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Dorg featured on the left flank against City and Arsenal, but there was no replacement for him. His answer was to put Cunha in the lineup and ask him to rotate up front, with no one naturally inclined to play that side.
As a result, United caused an overload in the center of the pitch, with Fulham’s right-back Timothy Castagne often having no one to mark. Cunha’s goal was a perfect example, as the Brazilian found space in the right channel (opposite his own half) and fired into the top corner.
Matheus Cunha scored after starting the game (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
3. Long wait times in Cuenca
We believed that semi-automated offside decisions would speed up the game and reduce long delays. That didn’t seem to be the case and there was another grueling wait at Old Trafford in the second half as Fulham waited nervously to see if there was a route back into the game.
In a wild turn of events, a Fulham defender put the ball into the net after Raul Jimenez’s free-kick and Samuel Chukwueze’s shot were both blocked. More than four minutes later, VAR ruled Chukwueze was marginally offside when Jimenez took a free kick.
Jorge Cuenca’s goal was canceled by VAR (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
4. United resist a comeback
Fulham were taken into the game by a sliding challenge from Maguire, who desperately tried to block Jimenez’s shot on goal. In this match, the Fulham striker had already taken a direct shot at Senne Lamence, but was undoubtedly fouled by the centre-back.
Jimenez remained calm, making it 2-1 in the 85th minute with a timid run-up and a precise finish into the top corner. Mr. Lamence praised his efforts and passed the word on to Mexicans.
Kevin then converted a top corner kick to make it 2-2, but United remained alert and Sesco kept his cool to win the game.
Raul Jimenez kept his cool from the penalty spot (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
5. Carrick makes his case.
Carrick was brought in as interim manager until the end of the season. United’s leaders are struggling to make it clear they will sign a big-name manager in the summer. However, the more Carrick wins, the more positive the sentiment will be and the former midfielder will have to be seriously considered.
Because these performances are night and day compared to the final stages of Reuben Amorim’s reign. Gone are the dreaded 3-4-2-1 formations. All players are in their best positions. They’re fluid on offense and look much more solid on defense – despite some late-game wobbles here. And they just keep winning.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily Manchester United content from Mirror Football. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
