Manchester United claimed a gritty 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford, with the result in doubt right up to the end. Both sides played with real intent, and the match had everything: sharp finishing, sloppy defending at times, and big moments at both ends. United take the points and keep their run going, while Fulham will feel they did enough to earn something.
Match Snapshot
- Score: Manchester United 3, Fulham 2
- Venue: Old Trafford
- Key theme: End-to-end play, quick goals, and late drama
First Half: United Strike First, Fulham Hit Back
Early Pressure Pays Off
Old Trafford started loud, and United matched the energy. Erik ten Hag set his team up to press high, with the wide players pushing up to pin Fulham back. It worked.
In the 14th minute, United broke forward through midfield, and the ball landed at Bruno Fernandes. He slipped a smart pass through the middle to Marcus Rashford, who kept his cool and rolled his finish into the bottom corner for 1-0.
Fulham Settle and Level It
Fulham didn’t fade after conceding. They began to keep the ball more, especially in central areas, and they disrupted United’s rhythm with a more physical midfield battle.
Their equalizer came in the 28th minute from a corner. United couldn’t clear cleanly, the ball dropped in the box, and Raúl Jiménez reacted quickest. He turned and finished well to make it 1-1.
Second Half: Goals Keep Coming
Garnacho Restores the Lead
United came out after halftime with more bite. The deadlock didn’t last long.
Five minutes after the restart, Rasmus Højlund used his strength to hold off pressure and played the ball to Alejandro Garnacho. The winger took one touch and bent a lovely shot into the far top corner. United were back in front at 2-1, and Old Trafford erupted.
Pereira Haunts His Old Club
Fulham responded by pushing their wing-backs higher, and it started to cause problems out wide. United’s shape stretched, and space opened up in the channels.
In the 65th minute, Alex Iwobi sent in a quality cross, and Andreas Pereira met it with a firm header. He guided it past the keeper for 2-2, and Fulham had the momentum again.
Late Drama: McTominay Wins It
The 82nd-Minute Breakthrough
Both managers made changes, and the final stretch turned into a scrap with chances at both ends.
United found the winner in the 82nd minute. Diogo Dalot drove forward and drilled a low ball into the six-yard box. The cross caused a scramble, and the ball popped out to Scott McTominay. He stayed calm and smashed it into the roof of the net.
Final Push and a Narrow Escape
United had to hang on through six minutes of stoppage time. Fulham came close late on when a header struck the post, but the hosts survived. The final whistle confirmed a 3-2 Manchester United victory, a win that shows their attacking strength, while also putting a spotlight on their shaky moments at the back.
Manchester United Player Ratings and Key Moments
| Player | Position | Match Rating | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Onana | Goalkeeper | 7/10 | Made two big saves late on. |
| Diogo Dalot | Defender | 8/10 | Set up the winner with a dangerous low cross. |
| Bruno Fernandes | Midfielder | 7.5/10 | Assisted the opener and kept play moving. |
| Marcus Rashford | Forward | 8/10 | Took his goal well and stayed a threat. |
| Scott McTominay | Midfielder | 8.5/10 | Came off the bench and scored the winner. |
Fulham Player Ratings and Key Moments
| Player | Position | Match Rating | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bernd Leno | Goalkeeper | 6.5/10 | Made key stops early to keep Fulham close. |
| Antonee Robinson | Defender | 7/10 | Defended well and supported attacks down the flank. |
| Andreas Pereira | Midfielder | 8/10 | Scored Fulham’s second goal against his former club. |
| Raúl Jiménez | Forward | 7.5/10 | Finished sharply for the first equalizer. |
| Alex Iwobi | Midfielder | 7/10 | Delivered the cross for Pereira’s header. |
Key Talking Points and Tactical Notes
What Worked for Manchester United
United’s best moments came when they played forward quickly. The front line combined well, and the movement looked better as the game went on. Still, conceding twice at home won’t sit well with the staff. When Fulham broke with speed, United’s back line looked exposed, especially out wide.
What Fulham Can Take From It
Fulham showed they can go toe-to-toe with top Premier League sides. Their build-up play and quick switches from defense to attack caused real trouble. They’ll be frustrated to leave empty-handed, and set pieces at both ends felt like a swing factor in the result.
United climb the table with three more points, while Fulham head back to Craven Cottage looking to turn a strong performance into a result next time.
