Manchester United’s wait for a first Premier League victory this season continued on Sunday after being held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Emile Smith Rowe, introduced as a second-half substitute, struck in the 72nd minute to cancel out an earlier own goal from Rodrigo Muniz, ending United’s run of eight straight wins at the west London ground.
United manager Ruben Amorim fielded his much-talked-about £200 million attacking trio of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo for the final 40 minutes, but the visitors lacked a cutting edge. Their breakthrough came only when teenage defender Leny Yoro’s header deflected off Muniz and wrong-footed goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Captain Bruno Fernandes missed a golden opportunity to put United ahead in the first half, blazing a penalty over the bar after Fulham’s Calvin Bassey wrestled Mason Mount to the ground. The miss compounded a frustrating afternoon for the Portuguese playmaker.
United almost struck early when Mount teed up Cunha, whose low effort clipped the post. At the other end, fit-again Ryan Sessegnon created Fulham’s first chance for Josh King, but United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir reacted quickly to deny him.
Bayindir, preferred to Andre Onana despite his own nervy display against Arsenal on the opening weekend, produced some sharp saves but looked uncertain at set-pieces. United are reportedly in talks with Royal Antwerp for goalkeeper Senne Lammens, with Amorim keen to address lingering issues between the posts.
The second half saw Amorim turn to Sesko in place of Casemiro, and the Slovenian’s presence helped United press higher up the pitch. They eventually found the net through Yoro’s header, but Fulham hit back when Alex Iwobi’s cross was met by Smith Rowe after Matthijs de Ligt failed to clear.
United substitute Harry Maguire came close to restoring the lead late on, but his header drifted narrowly wide as Fulham held firm to claim a point.
The result leaves Manchester United without a win after two games, raising fresh questions about Amorim’s new-look side.
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