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Manchester United came away with what was a nail-biting 1-0 win away at Fulham on Sunday night.
Although Man United were largely underwhelming in what was a slow-paced match, one moment of luck followed by a heroic defensive action sealed what was a slender victory.
Having defeated Rangers in the Europa League after losing 3-1 to Brighton last weekend, building some consistency is surely a priority for United manager Ruben Amorim going forward. A victory over a high-flying Fulham would certainly go a long way in doing so.
In the first few minutes of play, it appeared as if the two sides were engaged in a volleyball match, with the ball rocketing from end to end and neither team establishing control.
Five minutes in, Alex Iwobi got the first shot of the game, testing Andre Onana with a grounded shot from inside the box.
15 minutes in, Hojlund was easily dispossessed, resulting in a quick counter by the home side. Emile Smith-Rowe almost received a lobbed pass inside the box, only for Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez to close him down.
Alejandro Garnacho received a surgical long ball from Bruno Fernandes, expertly dribbling past Timothy Castagne into the box. He cut the ball back to Noussair Mazraoui, but his cross flew into open space with no United teammates present. Still, it was a better build-up from United.
Soon after, the match became increasingly dull, with both sides playing a slow midfield game with a lack of action on either end. Raul Jimenez attempted a shot from within the box on the left side of the goal, only to sky his effort.
United appeared to kick things up a gear in the minutes leading up to the break. Manuel Ugarte won a free kick within the final third in a prime crossing area. Fernandes punted a dangerous cross into the box, with Matthijs de Ligt getting a header that was blocked before being caught by the goalkeeper. Unbelievably, that was United’s first shot of the game.
After one minute of added time, the referee brought a close to what was a tedious, slow-paced half of football. Amorim surely needed to fire up his team with an inspirational half-time talk in order to get them to show more drive in the second half.
Ten minutes into the second half, United were on the attack, earning a free kick on the edge of the box when Adama Traore fouled Mazraoui.
Fernandes attempted a witty free-kick, firing the ball under the wall only for it to veer wide of the near post.
In the 58th minute, Joshua Zirkzee came on to replace an ineffective Hojlund, while Leny Yoro came on for De Ligt, who hobbled off the pitch with what appeared to be a minor aggravation.
Even with the substitutes, United continued to lack any fire or urgency, maintaining a slow tempo and appearing content with a draw.
70 minutes in, Maguire did well to head a threatening cross out for a corner – the first of the match.
Manuel Ugarte received the first yellow card of the night for a reckless challenge on Traore, kicking his legs out with a slide tackle.
A few moments later, Traore took a shot from inside the box that flew well over the top.
Toby Collyer made his way onto the pitch with 15 minutes to play, replacing Ugarte, who appeared to have picked up a slight injury just moments prior.
In the 77th minute, United burst forward on the counter. Garnacho tried to cut the ball back to Collyer in the centre, with his pass being intercepted. Martinez sprinted forward to collect the loose ball, firing a shot that deflected off Sasa Lukic and into the goal, out of the keeper’s reach. 1-0 to United.
With 10 minutes to play, Kobbie Mainoo replaced Garnacho, while Tyrell Malacia came on for Mazraoui.
Clearly intent on finding a way back into the match, the hosts pressured United in the final third, winning a corner. Fortunately, Malacia was there to boot the ball out of danger.
Two minutes from time, Collyer saved United from blowing their lead as he headed a shot by Joachim Andersen from a corner off the goal line.
With six minutes of added time, United could not yet afford to celebrate a crucial away win.
At the death, United fans were jubilant as it appeared as if Amad Diallo had doubled their side’s lead. Sadly, his effort was adjudged to be offside.
While a largely underwhelming performance, United produced the goods to come away with a crucial away win. Another three points in the bag as United look to continue racking up their victories.
Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez, Fernandes, Hojlund, Amad, Garnacho, Dalot, UgarteSubs: Zirkzee, Yoro, Collyer, Mainoo, Malacia
Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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