-
Manchester United have collected just five points from their opening five Premier League matches, matching their joint-lowest start in the competition since 2014/15.
-
Matheus Cunha’s late deflected equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw against Fulham after Lisandro Martínez’s own goal had put the hosts ahead.
-
Michael Carrick is facing growing criticism over his tactical decisions and United’s lack of intensity, with pundits questioning his long-term future at Old Trafford.
-
United will face Tottenham after the international break, with further pressure likely if their disappointing start continues.
September 21, (THEWILL) – Michael Carrick faces increased pressure at Manchester United after Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Fulham left the club with just five points from five Premier League matches, matching its joint-worst start in 12 years.
Manchester United avoided another defeat when Matheus Cunha scored a deflected equaliser in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage. However, the late goal did little to disguise another unconvincing performance from Carrick’s side, who have managed just one league victory this season.
The five-point tally matches United’s return after five games in the 2014/15 campaign, adding to concerns surrounding Carrick, following the defeats against Manchester City and Brighton in the previous week.
Cunha Rescues United at Fulham
Fulham took the lead in the 63rd minute when Lisandro Martínez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Senne Lammens had saved Calvin Bassey’s effort.
The hosts appeared set to secure their first Premier League victory of the season before Cunha rescued United with a late strike. His long-range effort took a deflection off David Affengruber, wrong-footing Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Despite registering 29 shots, United struggled to produce the attacking quality needed to secure victory. Fulham also covered 6.6 kilometres more than the visitors, highlighting concerns about the team’s work rate and intensity
READ ALSO:
Carrick Faces Growing Scrutiny
Carrick’s tactical decisions have come under criticism, particularly his decision to make his first substitution in the 77th minute. Former Arsenal forward, Perry Groves, has questioned whether the manager can remain in charge for the entire season, while Gary Neville also criticised United’s performance.
Carrick previously dismissed speculation about his future as “ridiculous”, insisting that his focus remained on meeting the club’s expectations rather than discussing his position.
United will return from the international break with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10. With both teams struggling near the bottom of the table, the match could prove important for Carrick as he attempts to improve United’s form and ease the growing pressure at Old Trafford.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
