Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Lisandro Martinez’s deflected strike proved decisive in a recreation the place probabilities have been at a premium.
The primary half was removed from an attacking spectacle, with neither aspect in a position to stamp their authority on the sport.
Fulham began brightly, with Alex Iwobi inflicting issues down the left flank. The Nigerian winger examined Andre Onana twice however failed to really bother the United goalkeeper.
Fulham’s greatest likelihood of the half fell to Emile Smith Rowe, who discovered himself one-on-one with Onana however did not hit the goal, lifting his effort harmlessly huge.
United, in the meantime, struggled to get into the sport. Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes confirmed glimpses of creativity, however the guests managed only one shot within the opening 45 minutes – their lowest first-half tally in a Premier League match since April 2024.
It’s three factors on the highway for the Reds 🔴👊#MUFC || #FULMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 26, 2025
The second half started in the identical vein, with each groups struggling to generate significant probabilities.
Fulham launched Rodrigo Muniz and Adama Traore in an try to inject power into their assault, whereas United made a number of modifications, together with the introduction of Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee. Nevertheless, clear-cut alternatives remained elusive, and the sport appeared destined for a stalemate.
The breakthrough lastly got here within the 78th minute, and it was a second of fortune for the guests. Garnacho’s pull-back from the left discovered Toby Collyer, who couldn’t fairly get a shot away.
The ball ricocheted to Martinez, who struck from outdoors the field. His bold effort took a heavy deflection off Sasa Lukic, looping over Bernd Leno and into the far nook. Craven Cottage was surprised, and United had the lead.
Fulham threw every little thing at United within the closing moments. Timothy Castagne and Muniz each got here shut, with Muniz skying a golden alternative from shut vary deep into stoppage time
A chaotic sequence noticed Andreas Pereira’s nook flicked on by Joachim Andersen, just for Collyer to clear off the road. Fulham appealed for a aim, however replays confirmed the ball hadn’t crossed.
United thought they’d added a second within the dying moments when Mainoo and Amad Diallo mixed fantastically, with the latter firing house. Nevertheless, VAR intervened, ruling the aim out for offside, leaving Fulham with faint hope.
Regardless of Fulham’s late stress, United held on to assert an important three factors.
