Fulham

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham boss Marco Silva has steered his side to a couple of draws in their opening two Premier League games.

Silva probably regards that as being quite good given they Whites have not made a significant signing this summer.

But it is a situation he does not feel can continue.

"We have to sign players," he said. "We lost two wingers and a striker and the plan we said in May has not happened.

"We have eight or nine days to correct things. We have to sign at least three players before the end of the market.

"We are short in some positions, it's as simple as that."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Paul: Even though Fulham are hampered by the uncertainty of the ongoing transfer window, they gave a good account of what they are about. They need to be more direct in their transition and always take the attack to the opponents.

Simon: Their goal should have been disallowed for a shove in the back. For the last 70 minutes we were the better side. Nobody fears Manchester United any more - we just needed a winner!

Bill: Played much better after conceding the first goal. Much better organised than United.

Man Utd fans

Mark: After a bright first 15 minutes, we descended into our usual woeful self. No passion, style, determination - just a clueless mess of hoping for the best. There are players who don't deserve to be in the starting line-up and it looks like we've wasted our money in the transfer market yet again. The simple fact is we're just a poor mid-table team with no signs whatsoever of the descent ending soon.

Stephen: Is it just me or are there no wide men who can put crosses in the box? It seems they prefer to pass it backwards rather than cross it first time. I feel sorry for the front men.

Srikanth: Performance against Arsenal was not seen against Fulham. The first half was decent but, otherwise, Fulham fully deserved to draw or win. Based on this display, I'm not sure if we can get above 10th place this season.

Pundits Troy Deeney and Rob Green join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest

• Everton 2-0 Brighton

• Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Silva is one of the Premier League bosses for whom judgement on his side should be reserved until after next month's international break, by which time he will know which members of his squad are staying put.

Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz was included in Silva's starting line-up on this occasion despite interest from Serie A outfit Atalanta and, closer to home, Leeds.

Former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira was omitted altogether and Fulham did seem to struggle in the creative element of their game.

Unlike their opponents, though, Fulham's goalkeeping position is secure.

In a frantic period of injury time, United's Altay Bayindir came for a corner, then checked and finally ended up in no man's land as Joachim Andersen failed to take advantage by missing the ball with his intended header as it whizzed across goal.

Seconds later, United tried to exert pressure on Fulham with a superb ball to the edge of the six-yard box.

Bernd Leno showed no hesitation as he decisively came to punch well clear of his area.

Fulham have work to do before the window closes. But in Leno they have someone Silva can rely on.

Marco Silva spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Fulham's draw against Manchester United: "I am proud of our players, proud of our fans and our football club. Sometimes the face speaks more than the words. A balanced game - Manchester United started better than us.

"We lost most of the duels - first and second balls. They had two clear chances from Matheus Cunha, and we had a big one from Josh King as well.

"From 25 minutes of the first half, we built very well. We started to build the game the way we like to build.

"We should have been more clinical. Not the best game for us in that aspect of the game.

"The reaction from them was top. The players that came in had a massive impact, like last week. It shows how we work together and the will and desire of the players. I am very pleased for them. It speaks more about our players than myself, because if you don't have the right characters in your squad and the right guys.

"Last season there were 17 goals from players off the bench, by far the best team in the Premier League, I suspect.

"It is not a coincidence."

On Man Utd's goal: "That goal... I think everyone in the world saw what happened there. Everyone that watches the game on TV and everyone who saw it in the stadium saw it."

On the transfer window: "Of course, I am praising our boys, but we are short in numbers in many positions. I said before the game the plan that we had didn't go through.

"We have so many things to do. The players need competitions inside."

Did you know?

Following Emile Smith Rowe's equaliser (94 seconds after coming on), four of the six quickest substitute goals since the start of last season in the Premier League have been scored by Fulham players.

Image source, Getty Images

Calvin Bassey spoke to Sky Sports after Sunday's draw against Manchester United: "Especially the second half we pushed could have deserved more. We had some good moments. We did well to get back into the game. Of course, they have missed a penalty as well.

"I think it is harsh. I understand why it is given. Where my foot is, I am trying to stay strong. I have sort of pulled him over my foot. Referees have got to protect us as well. I am strong. If it is someone stronger, it doesn't look as bad. You have seen it given, and you have not seen it. Everything looks worse in slo-mo.

"Something to learn for me and all the boys - to be a bit more streetwise."

On Bruno Fernandes' missed penalty: "I say it is justice. I didn't think it was a pen, and then he missed it, so sort of a let off."

On Leny Yoro pushing him in the build up to Man Utd's goal: "It is enough for me to not be able to win the ball and it is an advantage to him. It should have been disallowed.

"When the referee looks back at I think they will be disappointed. I cannot say too much, otherwise I will get a fine! It is a foul. When you go up to a jump, any little touch can put you off. What do you want me to do? Jump on the floor. It is enough for me to not be able to win the ball?"

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Fulham boss Marco Silva makes three changes from the opening weekend draw at Brighton.

Timothy Castagne, Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Muniz come in, with Jorge Cuenca, Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez dropping to the bench.

Fulham are aiming to end a run of eight straight home defeats in the Premier League to today's opposition.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Anderson, Bassey, Castagne, Lukic, Berge, Sessegnon, King, Iwobi, Muniz. Substitutes: Lecomte, Reed, Jiménez, Wilson, Cairney, Adama, Cuenca, Smith Rowe. Robinson.

Altay Bayindir retains his place in goal for Manchester United in a side showing one change from last weekend's defeat by Arsenal.

Amad Diallo comes into the right wing-back slot in place of Diogo Dalot.

Andre Onana is named on the bench, along with new striker Benjamin Sesko. Rasmus Hojlund misses out completely.

Manchester United XI: Bayindir, Dalot, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Mount, Cunha. Substitutes: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Zirkzee, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, Fredricson, Mainoo.

There are three games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest (14:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Brighton (14:00) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Man Utd (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times BST

Follow the 14:00 games here

And get Fulham v Man Utd here

Like a lot of people, I try to be balanced about Manchester United. They lost last week, but I do think they will be better this season. Well, they can't be any worse.

I really like Bryan Mbeumo, and I especially like Matheus Cunha - I think he's got loads going for him.

Fulham were fortunate to get something against Brighton but I think they'll improve in front of their own fans.

Fulham don't play with any fear and will take the game to Manchester United, which gives me a sneaking feeling United will exploit them and win this one.

But then again, I always predict Manchester United games wrong. I want to be positive about them, but I'm not sure I can be. Plus, I think I predicted Fulham wrong for every one of their matches last season.

I'm leaning towards a Manchester United win, so, because of that, I'll go for a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom White
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham were one of just three clubs that Manchester United completed a Premier League double over last season, with the other two coming against relegated pair Southampton and Leicester City.

Marco Silva believes their task this term has been made all the harder because of United's acquisitions in this summer's transfer window.

"Last season, they had a lot of great players," said Silva before the game. "This season, they've kept almost all of them [and] they have been able to spend heavily in the market. Two they signed from Premier League [sides]. And they signed a striker that all the market was looking for."

By contrast, the Whites have made just one senior signing this summer with goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte joining from Montpellier, and they were once again indebted to their substitutes against Brighton on the opening day when striker Rodrigo Muniz scored in the 96th minute to rescue a point.

Silva's compatriot and counterpart Ruben Amorim suffered his 15th loss in his 28th Premier League game as manager of Manchester United last weekend. However, the green shoots of optimism were on show against Arsenal at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils dominating their visitors and new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both impressing.

Amorim said he was "proud" of his team despite the defeat, highlighting the fact that they were creating more chances. "We have more options, so you see that we play in a little bit of a different style with Cunha - and then at the end with [Benjamin] Sesko, because he is a different player and we can use that."

Despite the positivity, United are seeking to avoid losing their opening two games of a Premier League season for a third time. They did so in the inaugural campaign in 1992-93 but went on to win the league that year, and most recently in the 2022-23 campaign under Erik ten Hag, when they ended up third.

Proof, perhaps, that defeat on Sunday may not yet prove fatal for Amorim.

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news Silva said Ryan Sessegnon and Antonee Robinson have trained but need further assessment, adding: "If not, Calvin (Bassey) did a great job at left-back and we know we are more than covered in that position."

• Silva reiterated the lack of signings this window compared with last season when they had acquired players by this stage, stating: "We had a plan, and the plan did not go through."

• The manager also suggested this is through no fault of the market but their own, as it is getting more competitive and the club has to be "ready for it". He added: "We as a club cannot be pleased at all. The Premier League demands much more from you."

• On Rodrigo Muniz's future: "He is under contract with us. I am very pleased with real interest from others in Rodrigo. It is a good sign, and we cannot be scared. After this, it is up to us to be resilient and to resist and be strong and sometimes to say no and other times to negotiate. From me, it is clear that I don't want to lose Rodrigo. He is in contention for the game, I count on him and let us see what is going to happen. Rodrigo is likely to stay with us."

• On the Africa Cup of Nations stretching squad depth: "Of course not (enough cover). We have three wingers, one is going to be out for seven to eight games. It is just an example of how short we are in certain numbers. Many things in terms of numbers are short. Afcon has an impact on our decisions."

• Silva also stated that "it is very important" to start the season well at home and "the connection" with the fans is "crucial".

• On Manchester United: "We are playing against a great side. I know last season is not the way they wanted. This season, they have spent heavily in the market and signed a striker that all in the market were looking for in Europe. For us, it is a very important and it is going to be a very demanding Premier League game."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Former Fulham defender Stephen Kelly says there has been a "lack of ambition" to improve the playing squad for Marco Silva this summer.

Fulham are yet to spend money on a signing this transfer window, despite unveiling a fully operational new stand and taking steps forward off the pitch.

Speaking about the potential impact this could have on both the manager and the players, Kelly highlighted how a lack of backing in the transfer market can create uncertainty and unrest within a team.

"There's been a real lack of ambition to improve the squad, which is surprising," Kelly told the BBC's Sportsworld. "It surprised me as well because the new stand is going to be fully open this season, so the club is making moves in the right direction in different ways.

"I think as a manager, if you don't get reinforcements, you feel like you're not backed and you probably feel under-appreciated, and that can cause problems. I think as a player as well, you sometimes think 'well, are they backing the manager, are they looking to stay with this guy', because if they're not going to give him the signings he wants, then what does that say?

"He (Silva) will feel slightly aggrieved that he's done really well by the club, not far from a European place. I don't think it's a lack of funds, and he's got to be feeling, 'why am I not being given the resources to improve the team. Do they not think I'm the right one?'

"I find it a strange situation, especially with the ambition the club was portraying to have in the last few seasons."

Nizaar Kinsella
Chelsea reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham are exploring a move for FC Basel winger Philip Otele before deadline day.

The Cottagers have looked at multiple players and have recently sent scouts while asking for the conditions about what it would take to sign the 26-year-old from the Swiss Super League club.

Otele is believed to be available for about £15m and is a cheaper option to other targets like Arsenal's Reiss Nelson and Shakhtar's Kevin.

The Nigerian has two goals and two assists in the Swiss top flight this season having played in Lithuania, Romania and UAE. He also had a trial at Arsenal at the age of 14.

Negotiations for Kevin are not believed to have progressed this week as Shakhtar continue to hold out for over £43m. It remains unclear whether the Ukrainian club are willing to negotiate.

Atalanta hold interest in Rodrigo Muniz, who is valued highly at Craven Cottage.

Image source, Getty Images

It has been very quiet at Craven Cottage this summer but all the indications are there will be movement before the close of the window, with wide positions the area manager Marco Silva will be focusing on.

Silva will certainly hope for incomings after expressing concern about Fulham's "passive" window and insisting he wants to strengthen in three or four positions. He wants better attacking options.

Fulham have been in negotiations for Shakhtar Donetsk's 22-year-old Brazilian winger Kevin, along with Arsenal's Reiss Nelson - could there even be a wildcard to come?

Raheem Sterling will need to get his career going again somewhere after he failed to make an impact at Arsenal.

Fulham need a winger. Sterling is available, looking for a club and keen to stay in London. Chelsea want him out.

Is that deal out of the question? Just a thought.

Read Phil's analysis on every Premier League club here

Image source, Getty Images

Since Fulham's return to the Premier League in 2022, only Raul Jimenez (19) has scored more league goals for the club than Rodrigo Muniz's 18.

However, in that period Jimenez has averaged a goal every 209 minutes while Muniz has averaged one every 143 minutes - only bettered by Manor Solomon during his streaky loan in the 2023-24 season.

In fact, since his Premier League debut, of players to have played the same amount of games as him or more (58), only Erling Haaland, Mohammed Salah, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson boast a better minutes per goal record in the division.

The 24-year-old's 93 shots is only behind Jimenez and Andreas Pereira and his big chance conversion rate of 64% from 25 big chances is the best for any Cottagers player to have 10 or more big chances aside from the departed Bobby Decordova-Reid's 64.3% from 14.

It is perhaps surprising therefore that Muniz has been constantly linked with a move away from West London this summer.

However, after his late opening day equaliser off the bench against Brighton on Saturday, it was reported in the BBC Sport Gossip Column today that a move to Serie A side Atlanta is off after Fulham rejected a £35m bid.

BBC Sport fan writer Drew Heatley wrote in his column this week, external that it is time to "pass the torch" from Jimenez - 10 years Muniz's senior at 34 - to the Brazilian and give him the increased game time and wages he is seeking.

Given his effectiveness in front of goal when afforded the opportunity, it is hard to see where Fulham would find a suitable replacement for him at this stage of the transfer window.

And given the love has been shown by the fans, a decision to allow Muniz to leave would not be popular.

Forward Rodrigo Muniz's move from Fulham to Atalanta is off after the Cottagers rejected a proposed £35m deal for the 24-year-old from the Serie A club. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It had to be him.

Amid continued interest from Atalanta, Rodrigo Muniz's every move has been scrutinised. Reports early last week asserted he had "said his goodbyes", leading to fans analysing everything from his media day team shots to his team-mates' Instagram posts.

Separate rumours claimed Rodrigo asked not to play in our final pre-season match against Eintracht Frankfurt last week in order to avoid the risk of injury. But these whispers have proved to be false with the Brazilian named on the bench against Brighton.

Muniz is said to be looking for two things in order to stay at Craven Cottage: an improved contract and increased game time.

It is hard to argue against either. He has proved himself to be an integral element of Marco Silva's plans in the last two seasons, scoring 21 goals in all competitions since the start of 2023-24, sharing the goal-scoring load with Raul Jimenez. But at 34, his Mexican strike partner is 10 years his senior, with only a season or two left at this level. Time to pass the torch.

Then there is money. Rodrigo came to Fulham as an unproven 20-year-old back-up striker in the Championship and was paid accordingly. But four years on those terms haven't changed.

An offer is said to be on the table, so the ball is in Muniz's court. Let's just hope the club's contract reflects his importance to us.

If Muniz does go, we would have to replace him immediately. And while there are options to fill his gap on the pitch, off it will prove far harder. Rodrigo has endeared himself to Fulham fans with his UK sightseeing trips, samba dancing and love of fishing. He would be missed.

But for now he is still ours - and he is still proving his worth.

Signing of the summer? It would have to be him.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"Rodrigo Muniz, we want you to stay" was the chant from the away end after the Brazilian's last-gasp strike earned Fulham a point at Brighton, with noise last week claiming Atalanta were looking to sign him.

It wasn't just the fact he scored but the way he converted the chance which caught the eye - an elite piece of clinical finishing, and yet another he has bagged from the bench.

Muniz's seven goals as a sub since the start of last season is more than any other player in the division.

With him having only started a quarter of his Premier League games in 2024-25, Marco Silva must be weighing up making him a more regular fixture from the off - if Muniz is still at the club come the end of the window.

• Find and follow your Premier League club on BBC Sport

Atalanta are hoping to negotiate a deal with Fulham to sign forward Rodrigo Muniz for about 40m euros (£34.5m) on Monday. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Brighton and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Chris: Seeing out games was a real problem last season, and it looks like that hasn't properly been solved with Fulham. No Europe if it continues to happen this season too.

Fran: Just like last season and before that and before that... we just cannot finish a game off. Had enough good chances to be well in front but no, we are too wasteful. It's all very well playing nice, tippy-tippy, backwards football but, at that stage of the game, we should just boot it out. Who cares if it is not pretty? We have got to learn and quickly.

Mark: Very disappointing from the Seagulls. Same problem as last season: can't defend a one-goal lead and can't get the second goal to kill the game. Two points dropped at home again to one of the poorer-quality teams in the league. We can't afford another season doing this.

Jon: This looked like a case of deja vous - slow-paced, sideways passing all the time, throwing a game away in stoppage time. Fabian Hurzeler says he wants more intensity, then sends a team out that he knows play slow-paced football. All that money spent sitting on the bench - changes must be made next week.

Bob: Time and time again we cannot hold on to a lead. We must have lost 12-15 points by letting in late goals. Drop Dunk.

Ben: Thought the manager would have learned from last season. You take off the players doing badly, not the ones doing the job! The first three substitutions basically changed the game and he seemed to be making more to try to sort it out. Can't take off Georginio Rutter. Based on last season, we will now finish ninth. Every point is vital, so shipping two in the first home game is dreadful.

Fulham fans

Larry: Phew! Maybe let's not sell Muniz?!

Rob: Lacklustre up top. Good in possession but go backwards in final third. Need some new faces desperately to freshen up and improve squad. Josh King was superb and we saw some good things from Smith Rowe when he came on. Need him to stay fit. We have to start Muniz to give us a physical presence up top and don't, in any circumstances, sell him. He will be in the Brazil squad in the World Cup, so play him.

Mario: Frustrating. Thank goodness for Muniz. A point is as good as it was going to be. I hope the owners realise they need to get themselves together and sort out the transfers.

Rob: Obviously, as a fan, these are the best moments to get a goal - the extra emotion, laughing at the home end emptying like the proverbial fire drill, a draw feeling like a win. On the flip side, I'm still underwhelmed at our slowish transitions from defence to attack. I think that's an area we can work on more.

Simon: Lucky to grab a point, Brighton dominated but couldn't finish us off. We can play better but a big plus was Josh King, who did well with the limited about of ball he had.

Danny: Neither Jimenez nor Muniz is a 20-plus-goals striker. Without a consistent goalscorer we will struggle to finish in the top half of the table, let alone get anywhere near the European places. The other problem Marco Silva needs to address is our inability to build on an opening goal or hang on to a lead. Far too many points squandered last season.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's opening Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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