Manchester United were denied a win at Craven Cottage when Lisandro Martínez’s deflected effort resulted in an own‑goal. Matheus Cunha’s late strike earned a point, leaving United with five points from their opening five Premier League games.
Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham after a "wicked" deflection off Lisandro Martínez turned into an own‑goal for the home side, according to NBC Sports. The match, played on September 20, 2026, ended without the three‑point win United needed to halt a run of three games without victory.
United’s rescue came in the dying minutes when Matheus Cunha found the net, securing a point and taking the Red Devils to five points from their opening five league fixtures, as reported by The Athletic. The late goal snapped a streak of three straight Premier League matches without a win.
Post‑match, manager Michael Carrick pushed back against a reporter’s suggestion that his side had been “passive” early in the second half. Carrick emphasized that a lack of control does not equate to passivity, noting United had dominated large portions of the first half and that football’s nature means momentum can shift quickly.
Injury concerns loom large for United ahead of the next fixtures. Six players are listed as doubtful or out: midfielder Manuel Ugarte (cruciate ligament), defender Matthijs de Ligt (back injury), forward Carlos Baleba (ankle), winger Amad Diallo (muscle), goalkeeper Tom Heaton (abdominal) and left‑back Luke Shaw (physical discomfort). Their absences narrow Carrick’s options at a time when squad depth is crucial.
The draw adds to United’s shaky start, following a 3-2 League Cup defeat to Brighton and a narrow loss to Everton earlier in the season. Fulham, meanwhile, came off a 0-0 stalemate with Liverpool and remain a tough test at Craven Cottage. Historically, United have dominated the fixture with 17 wins to Fulham’s single victory, but recent form suggests the rivalry may be more balanced than the record implies.