Alejandro Garnacho grabbed a priceless win for United with the last kick of the game, sending the Red Devils within three points of the top four.
On a day where goal-shy Cristiano Ronaldo’s antics again overshadowed a positive result for Erik Ten Hag, a youngster with all the makings of a superstar came of age.
Garnacho’s first goal for Manchester United felt like a watershed moment in his career. Brought on for the final twenty minutes in a game that United should have put to bed long ago, the stage was set for the Argentine and he didn’t disappoint.
A sumptuous one-two with Christian Eriksen gave him a glimmer of an opening in the Fulham box; the teenager’s superior pace and strength got him to the ball just ahead of the Fulham full-back and he rolled a first-time finish into the far corner to make it 2-1 to the Reds.
Ten Hag was pleased with Garnacho and parts of the performance, but knows the teenager isn’t the finished product and that United have plenty of areas to improve in.
“He had such an impact and this shows what real talent [he has]. He has to keep his feet on the ground, invest more…when his attitude is good, I’m certain he will [continue to] have an impact.
“I think we have made massive progress, but ‘good’ is not good enough and there are many elements that we have to improve.“
Ten Hag on Garnacho.
“We started with Elanga because we needed speed in the front line, but I saw the game changing and wanted more power in the midfield. I saw that in Scott and he can also get into the box to get on the end of chances. Garnacho was the other one; their right full-back was on a booking and last week he had an impact with his dribbling, and today’s outcome was good.
“We are happy with the progress, the attitude, the team spirit and the togetherness with the fans – it gives us optimism and motivation, which we need if we want to be successful. We are improving in resilience, determination and our belief to win a difficult game.
“But we allowed Fulham to come back in the game from a mistake – we’re a good team but if we want to fight for trophies we have to learn from our mistakes today.”
The manager on substitutions.
United almost rue missed first-half chances
United should have put the game to bed in the first half. Aside from Eriksen’s goal, United missed big chances; Martial could have had a hat-trick and Eriksen spurned a gilt-edged opportunity on the stroke of half-time.
It felt like one of those games where the home team could rally and United could live to regret the misses, and the second half started in that vein. David de Gea pulled off a string of crucial saves and the Reds looked rattled.
Erik ten Hag responded by swapping Elanga for the more defensively minded Scott McTominay as United looked to shore up the midfield.
However, on the hour-mark a fast Fulham counter-attack led to a tap-in for ex-Red Daniel James, and Fulham looked to be in the ascendency.
United still looked dangerous though, and were denied a clear penalty when substitute Garnacho was tripped in the box. Scott McTominay should have scored with a free header but as the clock ticked down it looked like United would indeed rue the missed chances they’d created.
But it was United’s day; moments later Garnacho’s goal got the Reds out of jail to the delight of the perennially excellent travelling fans.
The right result but the same problems
Not for the first time, United struggled to kill the game off when they were in the ascendency.
Anthony Martial played well and got into the right positions, but it wasn’t his day in front of goal. Marcus Rashford is clearly more suited to the left wing and Cristiano Ronaldo seems to have now burned all of his bridges with the club.
Tyrell Malacia – understandably – looked uncomfortable in his first start at right-back for United and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka seemingly not a part of Erik ten Hag’s future plans, this needs to be addressed. We are one Diogo Dalot injury or suspension away from serious defensive problems.
Fortunately, there are just two more league games before the start of the next transfer window. Erik ten Hag must be backed by the club to sign a striker and right-back of his choosing.
Man of the Match – Lisandro Martinez
What more can be said about the diminutive Argentine?
Martinez was paired with Victor Lindelof and showed true leadership and grit, as well as his trademark quality distribution from the back. Fulham pressed United well and looked to be gaining the upper hand mid-way through the second half, but Licha stood firm and, apart from the Fulham goal, repelled almost everything that the home team threw at the Reds.
De Gea was in excellent form again, pulling off a string of saves when United were under the cosh.
Watch this space
That’s it for now. Unfortunately, there are six weeks or so until the next United game.
Fingers crossed for an injury-free World Cup and good luck to England. Is it coming home this time? Probably not – and we’re looking forward to the season getting back underway already.
Enjoy the break and look out for some squad players looking to impress the manager in our two friendly games in Spain next month.