5 talking points as Fernandes saves Man Utd with last-gasp winner at Fulham
Under-pressure Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was after a big performance from his team after twow limp defeats in the last seven days, but they needed a late, late goal from Bruno Fernandes to take all three points at Fulham.
United thought they had the lead 10 minutes in, only for Scott McTominay's effort to be ruled out following a lengthy VAR check. It was the only real moment of note in a flat first half, with the teams going in level at the break.
Fulham gave as good as they got, and could well have stolen victory in the second half. Instead, though, it was captain Fernandes who scored the crucial goal after the hosts fell asleep at the back.
Erik ten Hag made a number of changes to the line-up beaten by Manchester City in United's last Premier League game. Marcus Rashford was missing theough injury, with Alejandro Garnacho taking his place, while Antony came in for Sofyan Amrabat in an attacking change.
Ten Hag tried plenty with little success, but Fernandes finally made a vital breakthrough. Here are Mirror Football's talking points from Craven Cottage.
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1. Maguire and Evans backed again
Erik ten Hag said his decision to pair Maguire and Evans in the derby was a tactical one, and the pair continued against Fulham with Raphael Varane staying on the bench. The choice may have been made in the knowledge that the hosts' attack isn't the paciest in the league, meaning the physicality of the pair would be required.
There were tests in the first half, with Evans needing to be alert to deny Harry Wilson on the stretch. Maguire, meanwhile, recovered from an early knock to give Rodrigo Muniz a run for his money in the opening 45.
Clean sheets are the basis on which a team can build when they're not firing on all cylinders. Maguire in particular was in the wars before standing firm to help his team shut out their opponents.
2. Pain for Muniz after rare chance
Rodrigo Muniz battled with Man Utd's centre-backs (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Marco Silva hinted there might be a chance for Rodrigo Muniz after his impressive Carabao Cup performance at Ipswich. Sure enough, the Brazilian started up front with Carlos Vinicius and Raul Jimenez left on the bench.
Muniz was full of hustle early on, taking the game to Evans and Maguire. He certainly gave as good as he got in a physical sense, though sights of goal were few and far between. He remained a threat from set plays, though, heading one chance narrowly over Andre Onana's crossbar.
All of this made the striker's second-half injury all the more painful. He was in tears as he left the field, and will hope things aren't as bad as they seemed.
3. More VAR drama
An early goal for United would have settled nerves, and they thought they had it when McTominay tapped home from close range. The Scot was onside, while Garnacho timed his run perfectly before rolling the ball across for his team-mate, but Maguire was deemed to be both offside and interfering with Muniz's efforts to cut out the threat.
Scott McTominay saw a goal chalked off following an offside in the build-up (PA)United struggled to reassert themselves after a VAR call went against them in last week;s derby, and the same was true here. The joy of the celebrations was quickly punctured and they clearly struggled to get up to tempo again.
The late winner will relieve some pressure, but Ten Hag still won't have been delighted by the response. We could see some changes in midweek as he seeks a big display in Europe.
4. United's porous midfield
The starting XI chosen by Ten Hag prompted some questiosn, not least when it came to the midfield. WIth Casemiro injured and Sofyan Amrabat benched, there was no orthodox defensive midfielder in the line-up and it showed.
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Christian Eriksen had a thankless task in midfield (PA)McTominay and Eriksen took turns as the deepest-lying midfield man, but neither has excelled as a ball-winner of late. Fulham's best moments came when they exploited big gaps, and there were plenty of those to exploit - not least when Alex Iwobi beat Eriksen to the ball on the edge of his own box and made an unchallenged run to the brink of the visitors' area.
Some underwhelming decisio-making from FUlham meant that, for the most part, the issues led to little in the way of direct danger. Similar issues in Copenhagen in midweek might not produce the same result, though.
5, Hojlund isolated
Rasmus Hojlund's barren spell continued (AP)Rasmus Hojlund led the line once more for United, butgot little change out of centre-backs Calvin Bassey and Tim Ream. The Dane was still chasing a first Premier League goal going into the match, but left the field 12 minutes from time with that wait still going on.
United's attack looked a little disjointed without the injured Rashford. while Garnacho threatened in fits and starts down the left, Antony struggled on the opposite flank and as eventually replaced by Facundo Pellistri.
In the past, free-scoring strikers have helped United paper over cracks elsewhere. It's understandable that they reportedly want a new frontman to provide competition to their summer signing.
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