Manchester United closed the gap to four points on opponents Fulham after triumphing in a low-quality game of few chances.
Lisandro Martinez’s heavily deflected strike on 78′ made the difference, although we did have the ball in the net in stoppage time, but Amad Diallo was denied by the tightest of offsides.
A win is a win, but this performance did little to answer the many questions surrounding Manchester United at the moment, with anonymous performances throughout the team.
Win papers over cracks in United’s performance
The excellent travelling United supporters were loud throughout and got to celebrate a win, but this was another unconvincing display from Ruben Amorim’s side. The winner came with a significant slice of fortune through the deflection, in what was our first shot on target of the match.
United set up defensively and showed little attacking ambition, particularly in a first half where we struggled to string passes together effectively. Large gaps between the defensive, midfield and attacking units made it difficult for us to build any sustained pressure and it was difficult to see what Ruben Amorin wanted his side to do. Rasmus Hojlund had a bit of a shocker, and only really Alejandro Garnacho threatened.
Our defence looked solid but there was little creative spark.
However, the result means United have now won back-to-back games following their midweek Europa League victory over Rangers, and moves them up to 12th in the table. The late winner continues our recent trend of scoring crucial goals in the closing stages of matches.
Fulham left to rue missed opportunities
For Fulham, who remain in 10th position, this will feel like a missed opportunity. While neither side sparkled, they had shown more attacking intent and created what few clear chances there were in the game.
The defeat ends a strong run of home form for Fulham, who hadn’t lost at Craven Cottage since November. The result sees United close the gap between the teams to four points, although both sides remain in mid-table positions as they approach the final third of the season.
Player Performances and MOTM
Andre Onana (6/10):Nnot much to do but looked comfortable enough.
Harry Maguire (7/10): Solid – won almost everything in the air.
Matthijs de Ligt (6/10): Solid enough, taken off on the hour mark.
Lisandro Martinez (7/10 & MOTM): Good defensively, played some incisive balls and made the difference in the end with the goal.
Diogo Dalot (6/10): Kept going but didn’t do much higher up the pitch.
Manuel Ugarte (6/10): Workmanlike and generally solid, but got booked and then subbed shortly after in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes (5.5/10): Couldn’t get much going and gave the ball away several times
Noussar Mazraoui (5/10): Seems to have dropped off in the last few weeks. Hooked for Malacia late on.
Amad Diallo (6/10): Kept trying but didn’t get much change out of Antonee Robinson. Unlucky with the offside goal.
Alejandro Garnacho (6.5/10): Our liveliest looking attacker in the first half, also had a hand in the goal.
Rasmus Hojlund (4/10): A bad night for the Dane. Lost a lot of duels and offered no threat – hooked for Zirkzee just before the hour mark.
Subs:
Joshua Zirkzee (5.5/10): Led the press quite well but didn’t carry much attacking threat.
Leny Yoro (6/10): Mostly solid
Toby Collyer (7/10): Saved the game with a stooping late goal-line header to deny Joachim Andersen, and was otherwise energetic and solid.
Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):
Added a touch of quality when on the ball.
Tyrell Malacia (N/A):
Looking Ahead
We’re up to a lofty twelfth in the league now, having leapfrogged our next league opponents, Crystal Palace.
We welcome the Eagles to Old Trafford on Sunday, but in reality our league campaign is now more about improving performances – forget finishing anywhere near the European places.
There’s also a mid-week Europa League game at Steaua Bucharest to navigate on Thursday, in what is now arguably our best chance of a trophy. We’re looking good to qualify from the group stages automatically, but let’s hope the performances start picking up soon.