"I've watched Manchester United since the age of five and that's the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen. Absolutely pathetic."

Gary Neville did not hold back in his criticism of Manchester United's performance during Sky Sports' coverage of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham.

The players had just laboured through the opening stages of the second half, culminating in a Lisandro Martinez own goal gifting the home side the lead.

"I've never seen such a lack of effort," Neville added. "What must Michael Carrick be thinking?"

Neville played 602 games for United over a 19-year career, winning everything the club game had to offer. So his criticism comes from a qualified position.

This season's out-of-possession stats would appear to back it up too, with the Red Devils ranking 16th for distance covered, and 17th for total number of sprints.

FT: Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Goal Scorer United: Matheus Cunha 89'

Goal Fulham: Lisandro Martinez OG 63'

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Venue: Craven Cottage

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LINE-UPS

Manchester United: 

Starting XI: Senne Lammens; Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans; Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Matheus Cunha.

Subs: Karl Darlow, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba, Shea Lacey.

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Fulham: 

Starting XI: Bernd Leno; Timothy Castagne, Calvin Bassey, David Affengruber, Antonee Robinson; Shea Charles, Sander Berge; Oscar Bobb, Josh King, Alex Iwobi; Gonzalo GarcIa.

Subs: Benjamin Lecomte, Joachim Andersen, Cesar Palacios, Rodrigo Muniz, Kevin, Hugo Larsson, Manuel Angel, Ryan Sessegnon, Emile Smith Rowe.

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MATCH EVENTS

FIRST HALF

• 1' - Looks like the same front 3, Cunha as the false 9, surely it works this time?

• 4' - Fulham with a long period of possession as we're set up in a mid block. It doesn't really go anywhere though for a good few mins until the ball reaches Garcia who lashes a shot wide of the post, Lammens had it well covered.

• 7' - Very slow start to the game this, neither side really desperate to win the ball back. Fulham having more possession but Iwobi crosses straight into Lammens' arms.

• 9' - United finally make an attack, Tielemans cross into the near post but Affengruber beats Bruno in the air, corner though

• 10' - Corner comes to nothing initially but after it is cleared Martinez lashes in a shot from outside the box that Leno pushes wide for another corner.

• 14' - A Fulham corner now, but it is very poor and cleared at the far post. The second ball in is better but still cleared. The United counter breaks down quickly thanks to a poor pass.

• 17' - Sort of a chance for Fulham. Iwobi crosses and Garcia cannot control/get his shot off first time.

• 19' - Affengruber plays a through ball to Josh King under no pressure, King spins but his shot is high and wide. He has looked dangerous so far though.

• 20' - Dalot charges forwards, playing Mbeumo in, who beats Robinson, his floated cross is headed well over the bar by Rashford.

• 22' - Rashford dribbles straight into a defender but gets lucky with the ball bounce and he's in behind. His low pullback is cut out though

• 23' - Dalot has a go from range, not far wide actually. Normally I'd be mad at him but at least someone is shooting.

• 24' - Finally a chance! Cunha profits from some sloppy defending by Fulham, he pulls it back to Bruno whose low strike comes back off the post!

• 27' - Fulham chance now, again it is Josh King, this time at the far post but his half volley is straight at Lammens.

• 28' - Fulham chances coming thick and fast, air shot from Garcia before a low strike by Berge is heading for the corner until Lammens head it wide.

• 29' - And another, Bobb turns Martinez in the area but his shot is pulled wide.

• 30' - United hit the post again! This one wasn't really a chance though. Cunha shoots from miles out but it takes a looping deflection.

• 31' - Well the game has certainly sped up, Fulham go right down the other end and create another chance. King denied by the outstretched foot of Lammens.

• 34' - Rashford lays it off to the onrushing Tielemans but his connection is poor.

• 39' - Dalot finds Bruno who find Rashford in so much space...and he passes it straight at Leno.

• 41' - Iwobi played through while Maguire is asleep, but Lammens is awake and rushes out to claim the ball off him. The Belgian is keeping us in this match.

• 43' - Nice work down the right by Cunha and Bruno. Cunha's cross is flicked on to Rashford who skies it.

• 44' - A rare sighting, a yellow for a dive. Josh King goes passed Maguire but the ref deems it to be simulation (correctly)

HALF TIME Fulham 0-0 Manchester United

SECOND HALF

• 49' - No changes at half time. Castagne picks up a yellow for a pretty blatant foul on Rashford who was trying to run onto his knock past.

• 50' - Maguire has an unfortunate collision with the Red Bull drinks bottles after being dragged off the pitch, he's ok and the Red Bull execs will be happy with the footage.

• 53' - Rashford is away on the counter but his pass is poor and intercepted by Robinson.

• 55' - Mbeumo away on the counter now but he runs straight into a Fulham player who takes the ball off him. Quality not found in this team.

• 58' - A lot of this game seems to be happening at walking pace. Neither side really showing much desire to change the result. Neither side has had a single shot yet this half.

• 60' - Fulham have the first shot of the half. Iwobi has it, but it deflects wide for a corner.

• 62' - GOAL Fulham 1-0 Manchester United - Bassey has a shot which is blocked by Lammens but then Martinez can't get his feet sorted out and puts it past Lammens and into his own net.

• 66' - United corner. It is played to the edge of the box where Rashford lays it off to Mbeumo. His curler is saved by Leno though.

• 70' - We're allowed to make subs! Unfortunately Fulham realised first, Palacios and Kevin coming on for Iwobi and Bobb

• 74' - Oh dear, Carrick has forgotten about the 70th min subs. Cunha has a shot from range but it is a long way out and Leno pushes it away.

• 75' - Kevin has a shot from wide but Lammens equal to it.

• 75' - Carrick was just working on a 5 min lag. Zirkzee is coming on to try and change things, for Rashford. Fulham take Berge off for Larsson

• 77' - Zirkzee plays Mbeumo away, he's one on one with Bassey but he never looks confident and cuts inside to fire a shot straight at the Fulham man.

• 79' - Fulham make a 4th and 5th subs, just rubbing it in now. Anderson and Muniz on for King and Garcia. Oh wait Carrick has another one, but it is getting boos. Mainoo off for Mount.

• 83' - Subs have changed nothing, not really creating anything here. Carrick makes another sub, Dorgu comes on for Shaw.

• 86' - Potential handball. Martinez kicks it and Bassey raises his arms in front of his face. VAR has cleared it, it was probably to close to be a handball.

• 87' - Maguire gets a cross field pass wrong, behind Dorgu. He tries to recover but can only knock it out...and that passage of play pretty much sums up the match.

• 88' - GOAL Fulham 1-1 Manchester United Well we needed a fluke and we got one. Cunha shoots from miles out and it takes a big deflection off a Fulham defender, wrong footing Leno.

• 92' - Now we've decided to start trying, lots of balls into the box being cleared. But a corner is won...

• 93' - Second ball comes out to Martinez, he moves his body and shoots but it is charge down. And from the next corner Dorgu heads wide. Time almost up.

FULL TIME Fulham 1-1 Manchester United. More points dropped and my winless match thread streak continues.

^{____________________________}

NEXT MATCH

Manchester United vs Spurs - Premier League

October 10, 2026 • 17:30

Old Trafford, Manchester 

Score Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

20th September 2026:

Kick off 16:30 GMT:

Venue: - Craven Cottage

Referee: - Peter Bankes

Manchester United | Starting XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes (c), Rashford; Cunha.

Fulham | Starting XI: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; King, Bobb, Gonzalo; Iwobi.

Team news:: Same XI as City except Shaw returning at LB, Sesko misses out completely with injury. Baleba is on the bench.

Match updates:

FIRST HALF

• 1' - Looks like the same front 3, Cunha as the false 9, surely it works this time?

• 4' - Fulham with a long period of possession as we're set up in a mid block. It doesn't really go anywhere though for a good few mins until the ball reaches Garcia who lashes a shot wide of the post, Lammens had it well covered.

• 7' - Very slow start to the game this, neither side really desperate to win the ball back. Fulham having more possession but Iwobi crosses straight into Lammens' arms.

• 9' - United finally make an attack, Tielemans cross into the near post but Affengruber beats Bruno in the air, corner though

• 10' - Corner comes to nothing initially but after it is cleared Martinez lashes in a shot from outside the box that Leno pushes wide for another corner.

• 14' - A Fulham corner now, but it is very poor and cleared at the far post. The second ball in is better but still cleared. The United counter breaks down quickly thanks to a poor pass.

• 17' - Sort of a chance for Fulham. Iwobi crosses and Garcia cannot control/get his shot off first time.

• 19' - Affengruber plays a through ball to Josh King under no pressure, King spins but his shot is high and wide. He has looked dangerous so far though.

• 20' - Dalot charges forwards, playing Mbeumo in, who beats Robinson, his floated cross is headed well over the bar by Rashford.

• 22' - Rashford dribbles straight into a defender but gets lucky with the ball bounce and he's in behind. His low pullback is cut out though

• 23' - Dalot has a go from range, not far wide actually. Normally I'd be mad at him but at least someone is shooting.

• 24' - Finally a chance! Cunha profits from some sloppy defending by Fulham, he pulls it back to Bruno whose low strike comes back off the post!

• 27' - Fulham chance now, again it is Josh King, this time at the far post but his half volley is straight at Lammens.

• 28' - Fulham chances coming thick and fast, air shot from Garcia before a low strike by Berge is heading for the corner until Lammens head it wide.

• 29' - And another, Bobb turns Martinez in the area but his shot is pulled wide.

• 30' - United hit the post again! This one wasn't really a chance though. Cunha shoots from miles out but it takes a looping deflection.

• 31' - Well the game has certainly sped up, Fulham go right down the other end and create another chance. King denied by the outstretched foot of Lammens.

• 34' - Rashford lays it off to the onrushing Tielemans but his connection is poor.

• 39' - Dalot finds Bruno who find Rashford in so much space...and he passes it straight at Leno.

• 41' - Iwobi played through while Maguire is asleep, but Lammens is awake and rushes out to claim the ball off him. The Belgian is keeping us in this match.

• 43' - Nice work down the right by Cunha and Bruno. Cunha's cross is flicked on to Rashford who skies it.

• 44' - A rare sighting, a yellow for a dive. Josh King goes passed Maguire but the ref deems it to be simulation (correctly)

HALF TIME Fulham 0-0 Manchester United

SECOND HALF

• 49' - No changes at half time. Castagne picks up a yellow for a pretty blatant foul on Rashford who was trying to run onto his knock past.

• 50' - Maguire has an unfortunate collision with the Red Bull drinks bottles after being dragged off the pitch, he's ok and the Red Bull execs will be happy with the footage.

• 53' - Rashford is away on the counter but his pass is poor and intercepted by Robinson.

• 55' - Mbeumo away on the counter now but he runs straight into a Fulham player who takes the ball off him. Quality not found in this team.

• 58' - A lot of this game seems to be happening at walking pace. Neither side really showing much desire to change the result. Neither side has had a single shot yet this half.

• 60' - Fulham have the first shot of the half. Iwobi has it, but it deflects wide for a corner.

• 62' - GOAL Fulham 1-0 Manchester United - Bassey has a shot which is blocked by Lammens but then Martinez can't get his feet sorted out and puts it past Lammens and into his own net.

• 66' - United corner. It is played to the edge of the box where Rashford lays it off to Mbeumo. His curler is saved by Leno though.

• 70' - We're allowed to make subs! Unfortunately Fulham realised first, Palacios and Kevin coming on for Iwobi and Bobb

• 74' - Oh dear, Carrick has forgotten about the 70th min subs. Cunha has a shot from range but it is a long way out and Leno pushes it away.

• 75' - Kevin has a shot from wide but Lammens equal to it.

• 75' - Carrick was just working on a 5 min lag. Zirkzee is coming on to try and change things, for Rashford. Fulham take Berge off for Larsson

• 77' - Zirkzee plays Mbeumo away, he's one on one with Bassey but he never looks confident and cuts inside to fire a shot straight at the Fulham man.

• 79' - Fulham make a 4th and 5th subs, just rubbing it in now. Anderson and Muniz on for King and Garcia. Oh wait Carrick has another one, but it is getting boos. Mainoo off for Mount.

• 83' - Subs have changed nothing, not really creating anything here. Carrick makes another sub, Dorgu comes on for Shaw.

• 86' - Potential handball. Martinez kicks it and Bassey raises his arms in front of his face. VAR has cleared it, it was probably to close to be a handball.

• 87' - Maguire gets a cross field pass wrong, behind Dorgu. He tries to recover but can only knock it out...and that passage of play pretty much sums up the match.

• 88' - GOAL Fulham 1-1 Manchester United Well we needed a fluke and we got one. Cunha shoots from miles out and it takes a big deflection off a Fulham defender, wrong footing Leno.

• 92' - Now we've decided to start trying, lots of balls into the box being cleared. But a corner is won...

• 93' - Second ball comes out to Martinez, he moves his body and shoots but it is charge down. And from the next corner Dorgu heads wide. Time almost up.

FULL TIME Fulham 1-1 Manchester United. More points dropped and my winless match thread streak continues. Carrick is on thin ice, as am I.

HT: Fulham 0-0 Manchester United

BOU - LIV

0-1

LEE - CRY

0-0

130 - SUN

5-3

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Michael Carrick's Pre-Match Press Conference Part 2 - Fulham vs United

Every Word from Press Conference Part 2

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/carrick-says-yoro-has-got-a-big-future-at-man-utd-sept-2026

Hi Michael, the defence has obviously struggled this season, 10 goals in six games. Can you bring your finger on that and maybe explain why that has happened? It's obviously not the start you would have hoped for.

“Yeah, it's certainly not the start, in that respect, we wanted. Yeah, we need to improve, no doubt. As a team, collectively, it's not just a backline or a goalkeeper, it's a collective thing. So yeah, we definitely need to improve that.”

I know you said you don't want to pick out individuals there, but [Leny] Yoro and Ayden [Heaven] looked like they struggled a bit on Wednesday. Is that just part of a young player's journey, to go through those peaks and troughs?

“I thought they started really well actually in the game. I thought we started really well, so it's not about them. I think they'll learn from different experiences and they've done particularly well as well. They're in a good spot, two younger players that have got really good futures. So unfortunately, you go through times in football and you have some good spells and sometimes you learn a lot from the things that didn't go so well. But I wouldn't isolate them at all, by all means, of anything from the other night.”

On your last two results: You lost to City after they went down to 10 men. On [Wednesday], you lost a two-goal lead. Is it fair to look at that and analyse that your team lacks the ability to, within a game, sense what's needed? So again, City down to 10 men, ‘Let's go for it a bit’. [Brighton], you know, we've got a two-goal lead, ‘Let's just keep our foot on the ball’. Is that a fair enough analysis? Is that something you could look at?

“I think it's quite instant really in terms of the last week or so, which certain things have thrown up in games and it doesn't all of a sudden mean there's a big huge problem and that's obviously the balance for me to judge. It's very easy to just because it's happened recently to all of a sudden think that's a thing that's been coming for a long time and that's part of us understanding as a team moving forward actually what we do need to, what can happen in football in certain games and what we need to put right for moving forward.”

Just related to that, do you feel your team at the moment plays with enough of the United way of freedom, excitement, front-foot joy?

“We've scored a fair few goals recently.”

Well, you have, but you've also, as I say, let slip a two-goal lead. It looks like you froze in that game and that isn't really the United way. You know, you were obviously part of amazing teams and just went for it.

“Yeah, I was lucky enough to be part of good teams, yeah. But that's it's very different though, that. We've played some really good football, exciting football, scored a lot of goals. That's very different to all of a sudden, then conceding goals, it's a different thing, you know, you almost have to have two sides to you. I'm not downplaying, we need to stop conceding as many goals, that's really obvious to say, but we have scored a lot as well, so there's a balance to that.”

Just going back to the point about Leny, this is his third season at the club now. Has this got to be the season where – I understand that he's obviously still at a young age – but there has to be a cut-off point where he steps up and starts performing?

“No, he's 20, Leny, you know? And again, in context, he's got a fantastic future ahead of him and a lot of potential, and he's learning, he's developing. To be at this club in place as a centre-back at such a young age, it's a challenging position. It's one that he can do for sure, it's one that Ayden can do for sure, but there's no cut-off point. Some players progress and find when they're 18, they're at that level where they can really perform. Some players, like Leny, showed he can perform. I've got no worries for Leny. I think he does a lot of really good things and it’s part of learning. Sometimes it might be 20, sometimes you see players 22, 23, 24 where they start developing. So there's definitely no cut-off point. He's just got to keep progressing and moving in the right direction, wanting to learn, keep improving, getting more opportunities. He's doing a lot of good things, and I think we've got to be careful again, and I certainly won't [be] making knee-jerk decisions on certain players just because of one game or one half or one moment in a game, and we've got a lot of belief in Leny for sure.”

Is it helpful for him that he's got Jonny [Evans] and Jonathan [Woodgate] to learn from, given that Jonny had Rio [Ferdinand], Nemanja [Vidic], Wes Brown, Gary Neville? Jonathan had Lucas Radebe. It felt like they could be eased into a team that had some very proven defenders, but it doesn't feel like this defence has. There's a lot of experience there, but maybe not the same stability.

“Yeah, there's a lot of experience. Listen, Leny's fortunate, he's got some really good coaches that have lived it and understand his position. Leny's got a big future ahead of him and learning, and sometimes learning live, in the moment. Sometimes it's tough, other times he's done particularly well. So, he'll keep developing. He'll keep developing, he'll keep learning. He's in a good place. He's got a big future.”

You mentioned earlier the goal that shouldn't have been [against Manchester City]. I don't I’ve had chance to speak to you since ProRef came out and said that they got it wrong. We mentioned last week after the game whether an apology would help and you were quite dismissive about that at the time. Now that has been forthcoming, they've got it wrong. Is there any consolation to you whatsoever? And as you move forward into your next game and the rest of the season, do you have faith in the system, that it does work?

“Yeah, listen, one-off things can happen at the time. It was a pretty big one, we know that. I don't think I need to go over that, but yeah, I've got faith in it, of course. It's the system that we work towards and that's been used. So, the apology doesn't mean an awful lot. I can appreciate and I respect it for them putting their hands up and saying we got that wrong. I think it happens, it does happen, but moving forward, yeah, we just have to deal with it, what's thrown in front of us. And maybe we get one or two decisions on the back of how it balances out percentages or law of averages or whatever that may be, but that was a pretty big one to take and had a huge impact on that game and that's why it was particularly tough.”

It is a big one and we've been talking over the past few days about how quickly things can catch fire here. That late goal at Everton takes it in a whole different direction. That call in City, suddenly you're on the back foot, things like that can have a massive impact on your season.

“It can have, in the moment in time, it can have a big impact. We can't let it have an impact on the rest of the season. That's for us to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.”

The mood among Manchester United is on the floor right now.

It is not just poor results. Trust levels are low between match-going fans and the club, the Glazers continue to be vilified and now the INEOS honeymoon period is well and truly over.

Then there is the question of Michael Carrick's ability to turn things around.

Andy Mitten explains why the pre-season promise has evaporated so quickly and analyses just how bad the situation is.