Manchester United

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

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Jeremy: A young team learning their trade. So close to a memorable win. Calvin Bassey/David Affengruber are building a great pairing. Joachim Andersen is causing us issues, after a great few years. Let the youngsters loose with Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi.

Gordon: We played really well. Once we made the last substitutions, we set up to defend and that was our mistake. If we had taken Josh King off but replaced him with Emile Smith Rowe, we might have kept them more at bay and held on for the win. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. The team and manager should be proud of the performance but keep chins up and make sure our next game is as good. Keep the faith.

Keith: Have been a Fulham fan since 1974 with all the ups and downs. Can any Fulham fan please tell me why it seems we cannot defend a lead and concede so many late goals? Surely it must frustrate many Fulham fans and not just me.

Hillary: Just bad luck for the London boys. They were resilient and put pressure on the Red Devils - a draw wasn't bad, though.

Man Utd fans

Nigel: That was difficult to watch. Slow, laboured build-up with too many square and back passes. Once United reached the final third, the forward momentum halted and the ball inevitably went back or square. None of the forwards are producing the goods. It is clear to me that the starting eleven are a collection of individuals not yet gelling as a team. Michael Carrick must find a solution to that over the international break.

Peter: We learned that this team is not tactically good enough to do what we expect. Is it the players? Or the management team? Is it the owners? Is it all three? Whatever it is, this must be resolved sooner rather than later. With the Champions League looming, this could be embarrassing!

Mohammad: This team is disjointed with no leadership on the field. A bits-and-pieces team with lack of effort and lack of teamwork. You cannot score goals with nobody in the penalty area. Trying to do too much meaningless passing with every position, not performing to Premier League standards, whether it's the goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, or nothing going forward.

Mike: How have Manchester United gone from beating Manchester City, Arsenal and getting into top four after a rough start last season... to this mess again? They don't look like they have the desire. Same man in charge but a completely different looking team?

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter at Craven Cottage

Gary Neville took a deep breath after Lisandro Martinez's own goal put Fulham ahead just over an hour into what had been a laboured Manchester United performance, and delivered his verdict.

The former United skipper is never short of a scathing word, but even by his standards, this was brutal.

"I've watched Manchester United since the age of five and that's the worst 15 minutes I've ever seen," he said. "Absolutely pathetic.

"I've never seen such a lack of effort. What must [Michael] Carrick be thinking?"

It seemed an extreme reaction. But in a week when United lost the Manchester derby to a Manchester City side reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, then, against Brighton, were beaten at home after giving away a two-goal lead for the first time in more than 50 years, frustration among the fanbase is high.

Carrick has previously said he can shut out the noise.

It cannot be quite so easy, though, when fans - who usually back their team through disappointment - followed up chants on Wednesday in disgust at the Brighton debacle by booing Carrick's decision to take off popular midfielder Kobbie Mainoo 11 minutes from time at Craven Cottage.

"There's always going to be certain reactions when you're making changes," said Carrick. "I've spoken to Kobbie after the game and he's absolutely fine."

Five points from five games leaves United 12th, already 10 points behind pacesetters City.

This would all be pretty underwhelming were it not for the ticketing issues instigated by the club's touting crackdown that has annoyed so many in the fanbase.

On Wednesday, United will release their full-year financial results to 30 June, around which the full extent of their current debt will be revealed.

Then there is the general debate about the wisdom of new stadium, which is set to cost in excess of £2bn, with planning permission potentially submitted with the main Old Trafford masterplan, which is earmarked for late 2027 or early 2028.

After leading United back to the Champions League so unexpectedly last season, Carrick is now presiding over a club whose supporters feel deflated, even if he does not recognise that.

Read the full article

Manchester United are monitoring Italian manager Antonio Conte as a possible replacement for current boss Michael Carrick, should the latter's position at the club become untenable. (Hard Tackle), external

Manchester United are looking at Lens' Portugal youth international midfielder Mezian Mesloub, 16, as they bid to strengthen their young talent pool. (Teamtalk), external

The Old Trafford outfit remain keen to keep forward JJ Gabriel, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid and Barcelona, with Chelsea now joining the battle to sign the teenager. (Teamtalk), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Man Utd starting XI:

Senne Lammens: Key first-half saves to keep Manchester United level and came out bravely at Iwobi's feet to prevent another Fulham chance. Distribution could have been better and he didn't cover himself in glory with the Fulham goal. 6

Diogo Dalot: Tidy spin and dash into space to create a chance for Rashford but had too much work to do defensively as he lacked cover far too often. 6

Harry Maguire: Used his experience to draw a foul out of King as United tried to deal with Fulham pressure near their own goal. 7

Lisandro Martinez: Well struck half-volley drew an excellent save out of Bernd Leno. He did eventually find the net - at the wrong end. 5

Luke Shaw (off Dorgu, 83): Returned from a three-match absence. Michael Carrick's side are far more balanced when he is there. 7

Youri Tielemans: Wasted an excellent opportunity when he got no power behind his effort as he ran onto Rashford's short pass. 5

Kobbie Mainoo (off 79, Mount): Usual tidy game in possession without making the key passes. Never looks flustered. 7

Bryan Mbeumo: A lot of strong runs but, like many Man Utd forwards, nowhere near his best. Tough ask, but did he give Dalot enough defensive support? 6

Bruno Fernandes: Low shot against the post from a Matheus Cunha cut-back but once more not at last season's levels. 6

Marcus Rashford (off 76, Zirkzee): Tried to set up Tielemans with a short pass but the Belgian couldn't finish. An attempt of his own before the break was saved by Leno and another, better opportunity flew way over the bar. 6

Matheus Cunha: Again started in the number nine role he doesn't seem suited to but created an excellent opportunity for Fernandes. Deflected shot hit the post and spun wide. Probably the visitors' most dangerous forward. 7

Man Utd substitutes:

Zirkzee (on 76, Rashford): 6

Mount (on 79, Mainoo): 6

Dorgu (on 83, Shaw): 7

Subs not used:

Darlow, Mazraoui, Mount, Yoro, Andrey Santos, Baleba, Lacey.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It is too early in the season for Michael Carrick's position to be under serious threat.

But after back-to-back home defeats and, crucially, the manner of them - losing a Manchester derby having played 10 men for the majority and surrendering a two-goal lead to exit the Carabao Cup - a third league loss in five would have invited plenty of unwanted scrutiny on the Englishman.

With a three-week international break to come, there will be no escaping a certain amount of criticism and it is a long time to wait before Manchester United can attempt to start putting things right on the pitch.

But without Matheus Cunha's somewhat fortuitous goal, it would have been a lot worse.

Overall, United were good value for a point and might even argue snatching all three would not have been unwarranted given their strong finish.

It is the 63 minutes leading up to the Fulham goal that others will focus on, though, in particular the start of the second half in which they allowed the game to drift prior to the horrendous own goal.

Senne Lammens and Lisandro Martinez will be grateful to Cunha that it did not prove the game's decisive moment.

Carrick can now regroup and plan for a crucial stage of the season, starting against Tottenham on 10 October, knowing that if results do not pick up, it could be a defining run of his tenure.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick speaking to BBC Sport: "I think we did enough to win the game. I think we could win it. It was an unfortunate own goal but for the most part we were good. Their goalkeeper has made top saves, on another day we could have two or three goals. I was pleased with how we responded, the boys kept their belief and kept doing the right things. I think a point is the least we should take."

On Fulham's goal: "I think it was maybe a foul on Matheus [Cunha] first, there's an argument for that. The shot has come through someone and it has happened quite quickly. Quite a few moments like that have been going against us. Thankfully we have still taken something small from the game."

On the 'noise' around Manchester United and if it bothers him: "No, what bothers me is that we want better results. We want more points, we're going to have a spell where it's not quite going for you and we've had a spell of that where small things have ended up as big things. We don't think things are perfect by any means. We need to win football matches. The supporters were top-drawer again today and we have to give them something to keep shouting about."

Listen to Carrick speaking to BBC Radio Manchester here

Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I think we created a lot. Fulham played well also. We got our chances, if we finish them we can finish game with three points.

"Bernd Leno is always a good goalkeeper, today he was unbelievable. We have to congratulate him but also improve.

"To beat Leno today we needed a bit of luck, and I got that luck to score the goal. Maybe if it doesn't touch anyone it doesn't go in.

"It's only the beginning, to play for this shirt there is a lot of noise around. We stay very strong, we believe in our group and manager. We showed everyone how we did it last season. The only thing we can do is work more.

"When I don't win games I feel anxious to play the next one to win, the only way to improve is to train and play."

Did you know?

• With five points, this is Manchester United's joint-lowest tally after five games of a Premier League season, also picking up five in 2014-15. That season they finished fourth.

• The goal was Matheus Cunha's first of the season - of the Brazilian's last 12 Premier League goals, 11 have either equalised (three) or given his side the lead (eight).

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?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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

• Bournemouth v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Manchester City v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Fulham v Manchester United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Watching Fulham draw at Anfield last weekend changed my view on them.

I had not seen Alvaro Arbeloa's side over 90 minutes before and, while their other results were poor, this time they were excellent.

They cut through Liverpool and had some nice patterns of play, but also defended well too. Arbeloa said afterwards that they played with more balance and I think that is a good way to describe their display.

Then I went to Manchester United's defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, and their performance was very poor.

Michael Carrick really needs a response with a win here to take into the international break, but how can I give United a chance after the way the Seagulls absolutely dismantled them?

Three times in the past four seasons, United have gone to Craven Cottage and nicked the win late on, but I can't make a case for that happening.

As well as having problems up front, United are struggling defensively and I can see Fulham creating plenty of opportunities against them too.

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United travel to Fulham on Sunday with both sides in desperate need of a win going into the lengthy international break.

The Red Devils, who were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton on Wednesday, have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already eight points adrift of the early pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Brighton defeat rounded off a difficult few days for United head coach Michael Carrick, whose side were insipid in the Manchester derby loss to 10-man City last Sunday. Throw in the uncertainty over academy star JJ Gabriel's future and Carrick is in dire need of three points on the road in west London.

The good news for him is that United's recent record against Fulham is outstanding; they have lost just once in the past 21 league meetings between the two sides, winning 16 and drawing four.

Should Sesko start?

The only out-and-out centre-forward at Carrick's disposal, Benjamin Sesko, has been used as a substitute in the four league games so far, scoring once off the bench against Everton.

With his team drawing blanks in two of those four games, there are calls for the Slovenia striker to start at Craven Cottage, having netted a stoppage-time winner against the same opposition at Old Trafford last season.

The Red Devils have had more shots than any other top-flight side across the first four matchdays of this season, but aren't among the division's top four scorers. So far, only Brighton (10.2) have accumulated a higher xG than United's 8.3.

Although Sesko struggled to make an impact midweek against Brighton, he is fully recovered from the shin injury he sustained in early May, so Carrick may turn to the club's joint-top scorer from last season in the hope he can convert some of the many shots United are creating.

Fears for Fulham

Winless Fulham find themselves in the relegation zone after four games, with new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa cursing his luck just two months into the job.

The Spaniard's side, currently 18th, were booed off at Craven Cottage after a third successive league defeat against Crystal Palace on 5 September. All three have come via a one-goal margin.

A draw against Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday and a 3-2 midweek win over West Ham United in the EFL Cup have given the Fulham faithful some cause for optimism, though - as has Josh King's continued good form.

King, still only 19, is the Cottagers' top league scorer with two goals and the Londoner has his sights set on a senior England call-up this season. He was one of four youngsters to feature in Thomas Tuchel's pre-World Cup training camp in Florida, along with Alex Scott, Rio Ngumoha and Ethan Nwaneri.

Since the start of last season, when he cemented his place in the Fulham side, the only teenager to make more appearances than King in Europe's top five leagues is Yan Diomande, who joined Real Madrid from RB Leipzig for an initial fee of £107m last month.

On 1 February, the last time the two teams met, late goals from Raul Jimenez and Kevin threatened to earn Fulham a point, before Benjamin Sesko's late winner.

That result triggered a worrying collapse in form – since then, the only ever-present side in the division to win fewer points than Fulham are Tottenham. It is a rut Arbeloa must urgently get out of.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is not one to court headlines.

He doesn't talk in soundbites or offer glib or sarcastic answers.

He gives thought to his answers, just as, I suspect, he gives thought to ways he might be able to improve his team's fortunes after a difficult week.

It was fascinating to hear him in his news conference give context to two bad home defeats by Manchester City and Brighton. He is refusing to get swept along by the sense of panic that has gripped many United fans, who are looking for someone to blame after a poor start to the season.

"Blame me," Carrick told reporters. It doesn't make much difference to him. Back-to-back defeats might send the wider United fan base into meltdown and generate huge debate across the spectrum of media forums, but the United boss doesn't see it. He focuses on the job in hand.

"It's not a catastrophe. It is two games," he added.

Carrick said he wouldn't want to be anywhere else other than Manchester United. He called them "a great club". It is also a crazy one at times.

Even if they fail to win at Fulham on Sunday, he won't go overboard. But on the basis if his side lose they will be subjected to three weeks of analysis, winning is probably a better option.