Manchester United were spared some blushes after a deflected strike from Matheus Cunha earned them a 1-1 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
In a week that has seen Michael Carrick’s team lose to rivals Man City and be dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton, United needed a positive result in London but trailed the Cottagers with mere minutes remaining in the match.
In a game that lacked quality and intensity, an error from Lisandro Martinez sent the hosts into the lead as the defender deflected a Senne Lammens save into his own goal. Both sides had previously wasted opportunities to score with 26 shots coming in a goalless first half.
United’s lack of urgency threatened to be their undoing before Cunha struck in the 89th minute to salvage a draw but the woeful nature of their performance will increase the pressure and scrutiny on Carrick as the teams head into the international break.
Follow the reaction from Fulham v Man Utd, below:
Fulham v Man Utd LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- Michael Carrick under pressure as Man United draw with Fulham | Live on Sky Sports
- REPORT: Matheus Cunha rescues Manchester United but their major issue remains clear
- 89' GOAL! Cunha's deflected strike rescues Man Utd [FUL 1-1 MUN]
- 63' GOAL! Lisandro Martinez own goal gives Fulham lead [FUL 1-0 MUN]
- 25' WOODWORK! Fernandes curls a shot onto the post [FUL 0-0 MUN]
Matheus Cunha rescues Manchester United but their major issue remains clear
18:48 , Miguel Delaney
Manchester United avert a crisis, but can’t really avoid criticism. Michael Carrick got lucky against Fulham, and consequently got away with one. For now.
A game that had looked like it was edging towards a first Alvaro Arbeloa win, courtesy of Lisandro Martinez’s bizarre own goal, instead saw another wicked deflection divert it to a 1-1 draw.
Neither club is completely unhappy, but this could have been a lot worse for both.
An exuberant Fulham at least climb off the bottom of the table, ensuring it is Tottenham Hotspur who sit there going into this three-week international window. They look the closest to the “crisis club” enduring all manner of external criticism and introspection going into an unusually long break. That was so close to being United.
Matheus Cunha rescues Manchester United but their major issue remains clear
Gary Neville lambasts Manchester United’s display against Fulham as an ‘absolute disgrace’
19:50 , Michael Jones
Gary Neville criticised Manchester United’s performance during their 1-1 draw with Fulham calling it and ‘absolute disgrace’
Matheus Cunha rescued a point for the Red Devils with a deflected strike in the 89th minute after a Lisandro Martinez own goal had sent the Cottagers into the lead.
United took 29 shots throughout the game but were unable to capitalise in the final third and the scrutiny will now increase on manager Michael Carrick after a week of poor performances has seen them lose to Manchester City and Brighton (in the league cup) and now draw with Fulham who began the match bottom of the Premier League table.
Neville lambasts Man United’s display against Fulham as an ‘absolute disgrace’
‘They would not let Manchester United lose’: Fulham boss decries refereeing decisions after Premier League stalemate
19:45 , Chris Wilson
Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa has suggested that Manchester United received favourable treatment in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage because of the VAR controversy over Erling Haaland’s winner in the Manchester derby.
Fulham went ahead in the 63rd minute after Lisandro Martinez turned into his own net, though United rescued a point late on as Matheus Cunha’s effort deflected past Bernd Leno in the 89th minute.
Both sides wasted chances in a game that was sluggish at times, though there were no particularly controversial calls made by either referee Peter Bankes or the VAR team.
Alvaro Arbelo suggests referee ‘would not let Man Utd lose’ in latest stalemate
Saha: 'Players need to play at full pace'
18:59 , Chris Wilson
“At some points when they decide to accelerate, they look like a Manchester United side - there is no problem; the quality is there,” says former Man Utd striker Louis Saha on Sky.
“There are some moments, though, when they accept the speed of a charity game. That's shocking.
“Players need to play at full pace; if they can't after 70 or 80 minutes, they should be substituted,” he added.
United's results so far
18:55 , Chris Wilson
Here’s what Manchester United’s results look like so far this season then:
Hull City 2-0 Man Utd
Man Utd 5-2 Ipswich
Everton 2-2 Man Utd
Man Utd 4-0 Sabah
Man Utd 0-1 Man City
Man Utd 2-3 Brighton
Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
Neville: 'Carrick will be relieved'
18:51 , Chris Wilson
“It was a game that was a real struggle for both teams. Both lacked confidence,” said Gary Neville at full-time.
“There were challenges for both managers coming into this game, they both need the international break to start their seasons again.
“The defensive work from both teams was awful and lacked effort. Carrick will be relieved going back to Manchester with a goal and a point,” he added.
United 'need to do a lot more'
18:47 , Chris Wilson
“It was too slow, Fulham ran more and looked like they wanted to win more. Bassey just eased Cunha out the way [for Fulham's goal] and looked like he wanted to take the game to Man United,” explains Ashley Young on Sky.
Carrick will be thinking 'we need to do a lot more',” he added.
Cunha: '
18:44 , Chris Wilson
“It is so frustrating for us. In the beginning, we put the plan in and created some chances,” says Matheus Cunha on Sky after full-time.
“We didn't score and then they scored in one action. It is hard to explain. It is frustrating for us. After the goal, we played much better snd had a lot of character,” he explains.
“It needs to be from the start. It is only one point but we should never play for one point.
“It is hard. They put in more energy than us, we cannot accept this.
“We need to do our best. We need to improve in every single position.
“It is only the beginning. Last season was the same, with noise around, but we finished third,” he added as he finished.
Next up
18:40 , Chris Wilson
Manchester United’s next game comes against Tottenham on 10 October at Old Trafford, and they face a trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions league after that.
As for Fulham, they play on the same day at 3pm, and they travel to Ipswich.
How the table looks
18:37 , Chris Wilson
That result leaves United languishing in 12th, with five points from their opening four games.
As for Fulham. they will head into the international break in 19th after earning just their second point of the season.
Manchester City went top after their win over Sunderland today, while Spurs are now rock bottom!
Premier League results
18:34 , Chris Wilson
Friday, 18 September
Saturday, 19 September
Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa
Everton 1-0 Ipswich
Newcastle 2-1 Hull City
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Coventry City
Sunday, 20 September
Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland
Leeds 0-0 Crystal Palace
Fulham 1-1 Manchester United
FULL-TIME! Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:29 , Chris Wilson
Well, it was certainly not a game to remember for either side, and it was a poor one for the neutral too.
In the end the spoils are shared, though Fulham will feel unlucky not to come away with a win. It’s just a second point of the season, though their two final games before the international break have seen them draw to both Liverpool and Man Utd, which is encouraging.
As for United, it’s another disappointing day after a pretty dismal display, though they were lucky enough to come away with a point. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of thinking for Carrick and the hierarchy to do in the next few weeks.
FULL-TIME! Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:25 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:21 , Chris Wilson
Dorgu heads wide from the second corner and that is that. The points are shared at Craven Cottage in a strange match.
In the end a draw does little for both sides but it’s probably a fair reflection of how the game went, though it’s so unlucky for Fulham and Alvaro Arbeloa.
Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:20 , Chris Wilson
90 +3 mins
CLOSE! What a story that would have been!
The ball comes out to Martinez in the box and he’s got some space in front of him. He skips past the defenders and rifles a low effort that is blocked well by Shea Charles.
Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:19 , Chris Wilson
90 +2 mins
Dorgu makes a run into the area and tries to cut back a cross, but it’s put behind for a corner. This will be more or less the last action of the game.
Fulham 1-1 Man Utd
18:18 , Chris Wilson
90 +1 mins
Into the first of three minutes of added time. United are in possession and hunting what would surely be a winner, though they’re forced to retreat as Maguire snuffs out a Fulham counter.
GOAL! Fulham 1-1 Man Utd (Cunha, 89')
18:16 , Chris Wilson
89 mins
GOAL! United are back in it!
It’s so fortunate too. Cunha picks it up near the edge of the area and tries his luck – and he gets a huge slice of it as the ball deflects off Affengruber, wrong-foots Leno and rolls into the far corner.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:14 , Chris Wilson
87 mins
United continue to try to put pressure on but it’s not really troubling Fulham. Dorgu, who has just come on for Shaw, is the latest to lose possession.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:13 , Chris Wilson
85 mins
Munoz is the next player to go into the book as he fouls M,aguire.
United come again and they win a corner as Mbeumo’s cross is headed behind.
The ball comes in and United are appealing for a handball, but the referee ignores it for now. Bassey put his hands up but they were close to his body, so play goes on.
Fulham have a free-kick of their own on the left wing.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:09 , Chris Wilson
82 mins
United are enjoying plenty of possession but they’re not doing enough to hurt Fulham, who are still fairly comfortable in defence.
Shouts of ‘Attack’ are coming from the away end.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:07 , Chris Wilson
79 mins
More subs for the hosts, with King and Garcia off for Joachim Andersen and Rodrigo Muniz.
United bring Mainoo off for Mason Mount.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:04 , Chris Wilson
77 mins
Zirkzee finds Mbeumo with a through ball but the United winger is a little isolated, and he can only muster up a shot that deflects harmlessly to Leno.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:03 , Chris Wilson
76 mins
More subs now, with Berge replaced by Hugo Larsson and Rashford taken off for Joshua Zirkzee.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
18:01 , Chris Wilson
74 mins
SAVE! Another good stop from Leno.
This time it’s from a long-range shot from Cunha, who looked to find the far corner with a great low effort.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
17:58 , Chris Wilson
71 mins
United are starting to get forward more regularly but there’s been little in terms of clear-cut chances.
Cunha lays it off to Rashford in the box but there are too many bodies and his shot deflects into the path of Leno.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
17:56 , Chris Wilson
69 mins
Fernandes swings in a free-kick but Martinez can only head it wide.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
17:54 , Chris Wilson
67 mins
SAVE! What a stop this is!
United work it well and it’s laid off to Mbeumo on the edge of the area. He takes it first time as he looks to bend it into the far corner but Leno is equal to it, diving across to tip it past the post.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
17:53 , Chris Wilson
66 mins
United’s only attack since the goal ended with Mbeumo clipping a cross straight to Leno.
The visitors come again and Rashford slips it to Shaw, who sees his cross put behind for a corner.
Fulham 1-0 Man Utd
17:52 , Chris Wilson
65 mins
Neville called United “pathetic”, and said he thought that could well be the worst 15 minutes of football he has ever seen them play. Strong stuff.
In any case, they’re around 30 minutes away from a hugely damaging loss.
GOAL! Fulham 1-0 Man Utd (Martinez OG, 63')
17:51 , Chris Wilson
63 mins
GOAL! This game might have sprung into life!
It’s another horror show for United.
Mainoo looks to find Cunha but he’s too weak and Bassey wins possession.
He drives towards the box and lashes a low effort that Lammens saves, but the ball rebounds back off Martinez and rolls into the back of the United net!
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:48 , Chris Wilson
60 mins
There’s finally an opening for one side, and it produces what must be the first shot of the second half.
Berge picks up the ball from Martinez’s clearing header and moves it wide to Iwobi, who opts to shoot but sees his effort deflected wide. Nothing comes of the corner.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:45 , Chris Wilson
57 mins
Neville goes on to sum up the game as “bizarre”. He’s not wrong.
There’s very little intensity at the moment, and it’s the same whoever is in possession. We’ve not had a chance of note in this second half so far.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:41 , Chris Wilson
54 mins
Gary Neville rightly points out that plenty of players from both sides are simply walking around, both when in possession and without the ball. That sums up the opening 10 minutes of this second half.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:40 , Chris Wilson
52 mins
No chances for either side yet in the second half. It’s been another sluggish start for both sides.
Home fans are imploring Berge, Iwobi and co. to shoot from distance, but the Fulham attack breaks down.
Rashford leads the counter down the wing but his pass to Mbeumo is poor and Robinson reads it well.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:36 , Chris Wilson
49 mins
Castagne is booked now as he clatters into Rashford, who was about to start a counter-attack.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:35 , Chris Wilson
48 mins
Another slow start to the half as both teams look to find their rhythm again.
KICK-OFF! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:32 , Chris Wilson
Back in action at Craven Cottage!
HALF-TIME! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:29 , Chris Wilson
We’ll be back underway soon in the capital. Will either side manage to grab a winner in the next 45 minutes?
HALF-TIME! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:24 , Chris Wilson
26 shots so far today, with 17 of those taken by Manchester United.
The finishing hasn’t been good enough from either side, though Fernandes was unlucky with his effort that hit the post and Lammens has made a couple of great saves too.
Fulham probably had the better of the chances, and they’ll certainly feel they can get something this afternoon, though United have fired a couple of warnings.
HALF-TIME! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:20 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:17 , Chris Wilson
The last action of the half sees King given a yellow card for diving on the edge of the box.
We go into the break level after a strange half of football! It was a sluggish start but it sprung into life with chances at both ends, and it’s a huge surprise that we haven’t had at least one goal yet.
There’s a big 45 minutes to come for these two sides.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:16 , Chris Wilson
44 mins
CHANCE! United have a good spell of possession around the Fulham box, before Fernandes slides in a pass to Cunha. He takes it around the defender well and cuts back a cross, but Rashford can only fire it over!
Not the easiest of chances – especially as it took a deflection off Mbeumo – but he’ll know he has to do better there.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:13 , Chris Wilson
42 mins
Lammens saves United again as he’s off his line quickly to stop Iwobi getting onto the end of a one-two in the area.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:12 , Chris Wilson
40 mins
United come again but this time Mbeumo ends up clipping a poor cross straight to Leno.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:10 , Chris Wilson
38 mins
A chance for United as some great build-up sees Fernandes slid the final pass to Rashford, who is unmarked as he gets into the box.
He opens his body up trying to find the far corner, but drives a tame effort straight at Leno!
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:05 , Chris Wilson
34 mins
Half a chance for the visitors now as Rashford lays it into the path of Tielemans, but the Belgian was arriving at pace and Rashford’s pass wasn’t quite right. The shot is scuffed and rolls harmlessly to Leno.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:03 , Chris Wilson
32 mins
SAVE! Another good stop from Lammens!
It all starts with Iwobi once more, with the winger sweeping a great ball across to King in the box.
He stands up Luke Shaw and breezes past him before hitting a low effort that Lammens manages to divert away via a good save with his foot.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:02 , Chris Wilson
31 mins
Chances at both ends!
Fulham have another as Bobb takes a lovely touch to lose his marker in the middle of the box before firing wide.
At the other end, Cunha’s cross is deflected and it forces Leno into making a save.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
17:01 , Chris Wilson
29 mins
SAVE! A great save from Lammens this time!
Fulham come again and Garcia fluffs his lines and he tries to volley it, but the home players are line up to hit it from the rebound. It’s eventually played back to Berge and he arrows a good low effort towards the far corner, but Lammens does well to claw it away.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:59 , Chris Wilson
27 mins
CHANCE! A great chance for Fulham now!
They find Iwobi in the left-wing channel, and the winger clips a great cross towards the far post. King is there to meet it but he can only direct his effort straight at Lammens!
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:57 , Chris Wilson
25 mins
OFF THE POST! Fernandes thinks he has United ahead, but it’s off the post!
It all comes from a Fulham mistake, with Cunha winning possession right on the byline. He looks up and finds Fernandes, who has to react quickly as he tries to turn the ball in from the cutback.
He’s not far out and he tries to find the far corner but it bounces back off the woodwork!
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:55 , Chris Wilson
23 mins
A spell of United possession ends with Dalot lining up a shot from outside the area and firing wide with his weaker foot.
A great example of the bewildering decision-making that is on show from United players a few times per game.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:52 , Chris Wilson
21 mins
Robinson makes a mistake as he commits to a challenge he was never going to win, and Mbeumo finds space in the area.
He tries to clip a cross to the back post but it’s not a great ball in, and Rashford ends up heading over.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:50 , Chris Wilson
19 mins
There’s another opening for Fulham as King makes some space in the area, but the angle is tight and he blazes it high and wide.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:49 , Chris Wilson
17 mins
Almost a huge chance for Fulham! Iwobi gets free down the left and slips a great pass into the path of Garcia, who has escaped his marker in the box and is essentially clean through.
The Spaniard decides to open his right foot up for the first-time finish but he mis-times it and the chance goes begging.
A difficult finish even if he had made contact.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:46 , Chris Wilson
15 mins
United briefly look like launching a very dangerous counter, but Fernandes messes up the crucial pass this time.
The hosts have enjoyed more possession so far but that may even favour United, especially if that result against City is anything to go by!
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:45 , Chris Wilson
13 mins
So, a half-chance for either side so far but it’s not being played with a lot of intensity. There are plenty of passes in each side’s defensive half when they’re in possession.
Josh King does win the first Fulham corner of the game though.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:41 , Chris Wilson
10 mins
SAVE! What an effort this is from Martinez!
Fulham fail to clear and the ball bounces out of the area to Martinez, who lashes a half-volley that looks bound for the top corner before Leno does well to tip it away.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:40 , Chris Wilson
9 mins
United win it high and a lovely combination allows them to release Cunha. He’s 2-v-2 with Mbeumo as he drives towards the box, but his pass isn’t a great one and nor is Mbeumo’s decision-making.
Moments later, the visitors win a corner after Fernandes’ header is deflected behind.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:38 , Chris Wilson
6 mins
It’s United’s turn to keep the ball for a couple of minutes. It’s been a fairly cagey opening so far, with neither side willing to commit to too much in attack yet.
Iwobi manages to clip in a cross from the left but it’s straight into the hands of Lammens.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:35 , Chris Wilson
4 mins
The first chance of the day falls to Garcia as he receives a pass near the edge of the area, though he snatches at it and lashes it wide of the near post.
Fulham are seeing plenty of the ball early on.
Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:34 , Chris Wilson
2 mins
Both teams have given the ball away with sloppy passes early on here.
KICK-OFF! Fulham 0-0 Man Utd
16:31 , Chris Wilson
We’re underway at Craven Cottage! The last game before the two-week international break.
Fulham v Man Utd LIVE
16:25 , Chris Wilson
Under 10 minutes until kick-off in the capital, with a must-win game on the horizon for both sides.
Fulham sit bottom of the table with just one point so far this term, while United begin the match in 13th, on four points from their opening four games.
With an international break coming after today’s game, the narratives could be very uncomfortable for the losing manager (if there is one) this afternoon.
Carrick: 'We’ll have to be at our best'
16:19 , Chris Wilson
“We’ve got to do a lot of things for our performance, we’ve been doing good things at times but sometimes not enough for a whole game,” explains Michael Carrick ahead of kick-off.
“It never comes easy, and we’ll have to be at our best today.”
On Baleba, he adds: “He's fit now. He hasn't trained an awful lot with the team but enough to be involved today. We're delighted to have him fit."
Fulham v Man Utd LIVE
16:15 , Chris Wilson
Arbeloa speaks ahead of kick-off
16:11 , Chris Wilson
“The performance we did at Anfield against a big team, we are going to try to do the same, playing with the same personalities and character,” says Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa before kick-off.
"I think at home it will be easier but in front of us we have again a big team,” he added as he spoke to Sky.
Carrick on Sesko
16:07 , Chris Wilson
Michael Carrick has explained that Benjamin Sesko “felt a little bit of pain” after the loss to Brighton, and therefore misses out today.
“We’re assessing that. Hopefully, it’s not too bad but we will have to see,” added the Man Utd boss.
Neville: 'They've got to do something today'
16:04 , Chris Wilson
“Manchester United have to bounce back today. This is a pressurised game now,” said former Man Utd defender Gary Neville ahead of kick-off.
“A great record here, a place where ordinarily Man Utd would win and I think they'll win today.
"It does feel a little bit like [a must win] to get the pressure off Michael Carrick's back. They've got to do something today,” he added.
Premier League results
15:59 , Chris Wilson
We’re finished in all of the 3pm kick-offs today, so here are the results from those three games:
Bournemouth 0-1 Liverpool
Manchester City 5-3 Sunderland
Leeds 0-0 Crystal Palace
Baleba makes United squad
15:53 , Chris Wilson
Carlos Baleba could be in line to make his Manchester United debut today, with the Cameroon international in the squad for the first time since signing last month.
In the United matchday squad for the first time 🤩
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 20, 2026
Fulham v Man Utd LIVE
15:47 , Chris Wilson
Match stats
15:41 , Chris Wilson
Fulham have endured their longest winless start to a season since 2020/21, when they went six games without a win.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s total of four points from four games is their joint fewest in the league at this stage, along with last season and 1992/93, when they won the league!
Why these five Premier League managers need a result more than ever
15:35 , Chris Wilson
As Brighton tried to work their way back into Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup game at Old Trafford, a realisation spread through the team. Manchester United, despite their early burst, were really lacking in intensity. They were there to be got at.
United looked and felt slow. And if that could usually be written off as just what occasionally happens in the League Cup with a second-string team, the greater concern is how it has been so consistent with tepid performances so far.
United’s slowness has consequently resulted in something else coming rather quickly.
Why these five Premier League managers need a result more than ever
Team news
15:28 , Chris Wilson
The big team news for United is that Carlos Baleba is in the squad for the first time since completing his move to the club, though he starts on the bench.
Michael Carrick has made just one change to the side that lost to City last week, with Luke Shaw coming back in to replace Patrick Dorgu.
Team news
15:23 , Chris Wilson
Fulham boss Arbeloa names the same starting XI as he did for his last Premier League game, which was the 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Gonzalo Garcia leads the line, with Oscar Bobb, Josh King and Alex Iwobi in support.
Man Utd line-up
15:18 , Chris Wilson
Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.
Subs: Darlow, Dorgu, Mazraoui, Yoro, Santos, Baleba, Mount, Lacey, Zirkzee.
Presenting your United XI to face Fulham ✊
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 20, 2026
Fulham line-up
15:17 , Chris Wilson
Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia.
Subs: Lecomte, Anderson, Sessegnon, Larsen, Angel, Smith Rowe, Palacios, Kevin, Muniz.
Here's how The Fulham shape up. ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/0IxS0J3ldf
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 20, 2026
Team news
15:10 , Chris Wilson
The line-ups should be released in the next five minutes or so, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
There are a few issues that Michael Carrick needs to juggle in his Manchester United squad.
Benjamin Sesko is a minor doubt with an undisclosed knock while Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain out.
Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba have missed games with injuries but both could feature this afternoon. If Baleba does play it will be his debut for United since joining this summer.
As for Fulham, Alvaro Arbeloa will be without the services of defender Kenny Tete who is recovering from a concussion.
Midfielder Ryan Sessegnon is sidelined with a groin issue and fellow midfielder Tom Cairney is absent due to a knee problem.
How to watch the game
15:02 , Chris Wilson
Today’s late Premier League kick off with be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Sky subscribers can also stream this game live on the Sky Go app and website.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Match stats
14:54 , Chris Wilson
Fulham are winless in their last 10 Premier League home games against Man Utd, having lost eight and drawn two.
Overall, United have lost just one of their last 21 matches against Fulham in the league, winning 16 and drawing four.
Premier League results
14:46 , Chris Wilson
Here are the results from the weekend’s other games in the Premier League (so far):
Friday, 18 September
Saturday, 19 September
Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa
Everton 1-0 Ipswich
Newcastle 2-1 Hull City
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Coventry City
Michael Carrick calls for calm with Man Utd’s dismal start ‘not the end of the world’
14:38 , Mike Jones
Michael Carrick has accepted responsibility for Manchester United’s poor start to the season but also called for perspective, saying a run of poor results was “not the end of the world”.
Carrick calls for calm with Man Utd’s dismal start ‘not the end of the world’
Arbeloa: 'We need to be ready'
14:31 , Chris Wilson
When asked about today’s game, Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa said that his side “are facing one of the best teams in the world and we know that and we need to be ready”.
“Every Premier League manager is under pressure. It's not because [of] what comes from outside, it's because you have to be really demanding of yourself,” explained the Spaniard when asked about his United counterpart being under pressure.
“All the managers want to win every weekend. For sure, when you are a coach of a big team you are always under pressure, but same for me because I need to win games. Both teams will want to win the game on Sunday, so it's going to be a good battle,” he added.
Carrick: 'We’re not having a real struggle'
14:24 , Chris Wilson
“We feel we’ve started and been in all the games we’ve played, if not being the better team at the start of games, we’re not having a real struggle all the time,” said Michael Carrick in his pre-match conference ahead of today’s game.
“We’ve done a lot of good things, the belief comes from that. The good things we’ve done get lost in the surrounding feeling but they don’t get lost by us.
“ It’s about trusting what we do and what we’re good at and keep doing those things. It’s fine, fine margins. Everything escalates from there. We live in a world of instant reaction and judgement, which is fine, it is what it is, but it’s not in my world. Being realistic and understanding this would come, learning about each other is reality important,” added the Man Utd boss.
The ominous sign that Michael Carrick’s days at Man United are numbered
14:16 , Richard Jolly
Manchester United were rather distracted by their own ineptitude on Wednesday night so they probably did not have time to study the score from San Siro. AC Milan 0-2 Benfica was further evidence of Ruben Amorim’s gift for underachievement, even if it was not his costliest defeat in the Europa League; that came in Bilbao 16 months ago.
But Amorim created the conditions for Michael Carrick to become United manager. In one respect, Carrick’s midweek misadventure was not even United’s worst night in the Carabao Cup in the last 13 months: going out at Grimsby last year was still worse than losing to a hugely impressive Brighton side, even if it was the first time in half a century that United were beaten at Old Trafford after leading 2-0.
The ominous sign that Michael Carrick’s days at Man United are numbered
Man United reach new low with shambolic Brighton defeat in nightmare week
14:08 , Richard Jolly
Here’s the report from United’s disastrous midweek outing...
There was history in the ignominy. Manchester United can specialise in finding new ways to rewrite the record books. For a club who keep recording new lows, this was not one, but several.
It was the first time in half a century that United had led 2-0 at Old Trafford and lost, since a 3-2 Tottenham triumph over Tommy Docherty’s team in 1976. Not since 1984 had they been winning at home at half-time and been beaten; Ipswich’s 2-1 victory against Ron Atkinson’s United has now been superseded. Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United had gone 2-0 up on their own turf 145 times, won 143 and lost none.
They never surrendered such a lead at Old Trafford under David Moyes or Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho or Ralf Rangnick, Erik ten Hag or Ruben Amorim. They did under Michael Carrick as his dreadful week took a turn for the worse.
Man United reach new low with shambolic Brighton defeat in nightmare week
Today's Premier League games
14:00 , Chris Wilson
We have three games kicking off any moment now in the Premier League, with both Liverpool and Manchester City in action.
The Reds face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with City hosting Sunderland. Elsewhere, Leeds take on Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
Captain Bruno
13:52 , Mike Jones
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes has five assists in his last five Premier League appearances in London.
In fact, in the last two seasons, Fernandes has more assists (5) than any Fulham player has managed in the capital (Harry Wilson, now at Leeds, on 4).
History on United's side
13:45 , Mike Jones
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 21 Premier League games against Fulham (16 wins, four draws), going down 2-1 at Old Trafford in February 2024.
United to win?
13:37 , Mike Jones
Fulham are winless in their last 10 Premier League home games against Manchester United (two draws, lost eight) since winning back-to-back matches against them at Craven Cottage in 2009.
Why Michael Carrick’s Man United ISN’T Working
13:30 , Adam Clery
Man United have gone crashing out of the Carabao Cup in a 3-2 loss against Brighton, leaving them with just one domestic win to start the season.
Adam Clery analyses what's going wrong at Old Trafford, asks if the blame can be placed on Michael Carrick, or whether the players have to shoulder more of the responsibility.
Man Utd early team news
13:23 , Mike Jones
There are a few issues that Michael Carrick needs to juggle in his Manchester United squad.
Benjamin Sesko is a minor doubt with an undisclosed knock while Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte remain out.
Luke Shaw and Carlos Baleba have missed games with injuries but both could feature this afternoon. If Baleba does play it will be his debut for United since joining this summer.
Predicted Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Fulham early team news
13:15 , Mike Jones
Alvaro Arbeloa will be without the services of defender Kenny Tete who is recovering from a concussion.
Midfielder Ryan Sessegnon is sidelined with a groin issue and fellow midfielder Tom Cairney is absent due to a knee problem.
Predicted Fulham XI: Leno; Castagne, Affengruber, Bassey, Robinson; Berge, Charles; Bobb, King, Iwobi; Garcia
How to watch the game
13:07 , Mike Jones
Today’s late Premier League kick off with be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Sky subscribers can also stream this game live on the Sky Go app and website.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Fulham vs Man Utd?
13:00 , Mike Jones
Fulham vs Manchester United kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday 20 September with the game being played at Craven Cottage.
Fulham come into the match sitting bottom of the Premier League table with United just a few places above them in 13th.
Good afternoon!
12:33 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Manchester United travel to Fulham with their manager under pressure.
Michael Carrick’s team have had a bad week following the loss to Man City in the league and then their exit from the Carabao Cup despite being two goals up against Brighton.
Still, the week can end on a high note if they defeat Fulham away from home and propel themselves up the table.
The Cottagers are bottom of the table and their own boss, Alvaro Arbeloa, is under pressure himself to turn around their fortunes. Can they do so with a strong win over Man Utd?
We’ll have all the latest news, updates and line-ups throughout the afternoon so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 4.30pm.
