[
5
Manchester United host Marco Silva's Fulham at Outdated Trafford with the crew undoubtedly trying to make it 5 Premier League wins in a row.
Eric ten Hag was compelled to make two personnel modifications, with Luke Shaw and Rasmus Hjolund dominated out of the conflict as a consequence of accidents.
Andre Onana opened the scoring with a defensive 4 of Diogo Delot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
It was Lindelof's first begin in additional than two months.
In midfield, Ten Hag gave the nod to Casemiro, Coby Manu and Bruno Fernandes.
Marcus Rashford began his 2 hundredth Premier League sport in an attacking line that additionally included Alejandro Garnacho and Omari Forsson, who was making his first senior begin for United.
There are three issues we discovered from Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
first half unhealthy
United have been very poor within the opening 45 minutes and have been fortunate to not be a objective or two behind on the break.
The Crimson Devils appeared very torpid and lacked any actual urgency in no matter motion they have been attempting to take.
The Cottagers have been first at all the pieces, their midfield of Sasa Lukic, Andreas Pereira, Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson did an excellent job of pushing United into their very own half.
Marco Silva's males created higher and extra clear-cut probabilities.
Iwobi might have damaged the impasse early on. Fulham carried out nicely, with their midfielders opening the scoring for United. Muniz pulled his defender away as Iwobi continued to advance. Fortunately, the Nigerian celebrity's shot was off course.
Iwobi had one other probability to get on the rating sheet when Pereira put him extensive on objective. He despatched Varane the flawed approach however as soon as once more, his shot went extensive, beating Onana.
Perera additionally obtained two probabilities at objective. The ex-United man's preliminary shot was simply saved by Onana. Nevertheless, the Brazilian's second try – a curling effort – nervous the goalkeeper a bit extra, however the Cameroonian managed to energy it by way of.
Muniz got here closest to drawing first blood for his crew. The striker acquired a ball contained in the United field, displaying good power to show earlier than shrugging off Lindelof and firing onto the publish.
United's greatest probability got here by way of Dalot, whose 25-yarder hit the woodwork and went extensive. Garnacho additionally had a take a look at objective however his shot was cleared off the road by a Fulham defender.
Along with dominating when it comes to probabilities, Fulham have been superior defensively. They stored United at bay and prevented them from making any significant makes an attempt to press or occupy possession.
At occasions within the first half, United's play appeared very frantic and hurried. Usually, the 20-time English champions would resort to lengthy balls and promising diagonals in an try to maneuver up the pitch and trigger issues for Fulham.
The passing was dreadful and United by no means actually obtained into their rhythm – a shock given the crew's current successful run.
Many of the membership's gamers have been from a decrease degree. The likes of Casemiro, Fernandes, Rashford and Lindelof all didn’t cowl themselves in glory.
The crew's efficiency within the first spherical of video games smelled just like the crew was not well-trained, practising poorly or unable to execute the supervisor's directions successfully.
United have been definitely on their luck and have been lucky to not be punished for his or her poor efficiency. There isn’t a doubt that Ten Hag would have made his dissatisfaction recognized to his gamers.
Ten Haag isn't doing himself any favors
United in some way managed to play even worse within the second half and though the gamers are responsible, the accountability finally lies with Ten Hag.
It has been a priority all through the season that United have been unable to manage video games even towards the weakest opponents.
Even after they received, the Crimson Devils didn't precisely look convincing and left loads to be desired. It was at all times going to be a troublesome take a look at for Fulham however United made it powerful for themselves.
The London crew took the lead within the sixty fifth minute with a nook kick from Kelvin Bassey. Set items have been a difficulty for United all through the time period, however to this point, this weak point has not been addressed.
United have been unable to clear the road and allowed Bassi to concede two makes an attempt on objective. A participant was hit on the primary try however on his second try, the defender made no mistake and fired the ball into the roof of the online.
Even earlier than Fulham had scored, the Outdated Trafford followers have been clearly stressed and sooner or later grew to become agitated with the crew's sluggish tempo of play. Groans have been heard each time a play determined to go backward even when there was an choice to go ahead.
Extra clearly, Fulham followers have been taunting the house help with chants of “How are you – how are you, we're successful”. For context, Silva's crew had not received within the league for the reason that opening day of the marketing campaign.
United equalized within the 87th minute courtesy of Maguire.
Fernandes launched a shot which was deflected by Bernd Leno. Thankfully, Maguire was in the appropriate place on the proper time to faucet the ball in from shut vary.
Nevertheless, with United pushing for the successful objective after 9 minutes had been added, Fulham as soon as once more took the result in seal their victory and take all three factors.
Adama Traore surprisingly beat Eriksen and Maguire when it comes to tempo and reached the ultimate third. The ball reached Iwobi contained in the field. The Fulham star scored to interrupt the hearts of United followers.
As if symbolically, Garnacho fell to the bottom in full defeat, whereas Fernandes could possibly be seen fuming.
After confirming that he had accomplished his deal for a partial 27.7% funding within the membership, Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke to the media and spoke candidly on a variety of points together with Ten Hag's future beneath his stewardship.
Ratcliffe refused to provide assurances that the Dutchman can be on the helm subsequent season, as an alternative selecting to focus on the poor managerial atmosphere United have needed to work beneath in recent times.
In truth, the INEOS billionaire hinted at a potential change within the dugout by claiming that his group just isn’t ruthless, however generally radical choices should be taken.
Simply hours later, Ratcliffe spoke to monetary group Bloomberg and was as soon as once more questioned about Ten Hag's tenure.
The British businessman once more dodged the query and gave a normal reply that didn’t present a lot info.
“Do you belief the supervisor?”
“It's not about supervisor Eric ten Hag,” Manchester United's new proprietor Jim Ratcliffe tells Bloomberg as hypothesis continues concerning the billionaire's future plans for the crew https://t.co/Xg8kmkDvTm pic.twitter.com/ZozYp48tWH
– Bloomberg (@Enterprise) 23 February 2024
INEOS are positively trying. Sir Dave Brailsford was within the stands. Like most followers, the brand new regime can’t be proud of what occurs on the pitch each week.
Ten Hag just isn’t doing himself any favors and is making it simple to dismiss him.
Antony is firmly on the backside
Throughout his press time forward of the Fulham vs United conflict, Ten Hag mirrored on Antony's scenario and why the winger just isn’t at present enjoying.
In United's final two matches versus Aston Villa and Luton City, Antony didn’t get a style of minutes.
Ten Hag insisted that Antony remains to be in his plans and it’s as much as him to enhance. The participant who turns 24 in the present day is but to register a objective or help within the Premier League this season.
Nevertheless, the United boss ignored him as soon as once more towards Fulham.
It was greater than evident that when issues obtained powerful, Ten Hag turned to different gamers earlier than Antony – a participant he educated at Ajax and spent a lot cash to convey to the membership.
Within the absence of Rasmus Hjolund, Ten Hag most well-liked to call Forsson within the beginning eleven as an alternative of the extra skilled Antony.
Within the 53rd minute, Ten Hag made his first personnel change. They introduced on Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay for Forson and Casemiro respectively. It is very important observe that Antony was on the bench.
Within the dying embers of proceedings, Ten Hag introduced on Amad Diallo to switch younger Menu.
Even Diallo, who hasn't heard something since getting back from damage, seems to be to be forward of Antony within the pecking order. Antony was eliminated with a number of seconds left on the clock.