Manchester United save their blushes saved by Matheus Cunha after a pathetic display of football against Fulham on Sunday
Manchester United’s comedy of errors almost erupted into a full-blown clown show as Matheus Cunha saved Lisandro Martinez and the Red Devils’ blushes at Craven Cottage.
Cunha, with a couple of minutes left on the clock, lashed the ball past Bernt Leno, who had been excellent between the sticks to escape back up north with the ultimate smash and grab.
United had been shocking, and Martinez’s own goal summed it up, as the ball bounced off his foot, unchallenged, and past Senne Lammens. It was laughable, the type of goal you’d see in exclusively in an over-exaggerated comedy series.
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And yet, for United fans, it was scarily real – and they could scarcely believe it. But it wasn’t just that one moment. United were laughable at best and horrific at worst.
The Red Devils had spent the opening 70 minutes ambling around the pitch, seemingly oblivious to the fact there was a game to win – and Michael Carrick did nothing.
Carrick just watched, he didn’t even look to his bench until the 75th minute. Fulham hadn’t exactly been playing liquid football, but what United were doing hardly resembled the same sport.
A United attacker would break, lose the ball, and then give up. And all that did was allow Fulham to advance with the ball and have an easy opportunity at goal.
There was no urgency, no real intensity and, most damningly, no reaction. United looked like a side waiting for something to happen rather than a team determined to make it happen.
Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, was furious: “I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen them play.
“Absolutely pathetic. They have walked for 15 minutes and you get what you deserve in a football match. Maybe there will be a reaction but I’ve never seen a lack of effort for 15-20 minutes like I have just seen there.
“What must he [Carrick] be thinking? He probably cannot believe what he has watched in that last 15 or 20 minutes. He’s got to act now.”
Cunha’s deflected effort sparred their blushes, just. United are still heading into the international break with five points from their opening five games.
However, there is now to regroup and reassess, because, when United return, these performances can’t continue.