A Clash of Titans Ends Even

In a gripping encounter at Craven Cottage, Fulham and Manchester United played to a 1-1 stalemate that revealed both familiar strengths and unexpected weaknesses.

Fulham: Grit and Determination

For Fulham, the draw marked an optimistic beginning to their Premier League campaign, showcasing their resilience as they fought back to earn a crucial point.

Manchester United: A Look Back at Struggles

On the other hand, Manchester United's performance raised eyebrows, as it echoed their days of inconsistency under former management, raising questions about their tactical evolution under new coach Ruben Amorim.

Player Ratings: Who Shone and Who Flopped?

Let's break down the player ratings from this electrifying matchup!

Manchester United Player Ratings (Out of 10)

- **Altay Bayindir: 6** – Made a crucial leg save early on, but his footwork was questionable. - **Luke Shaw: 5** – Struggled to prevent Fulham’s equalizer. - **Matthijs de Ligt: 8** – A defensive stalwart with five critical interventions in the first half. - **Leny Yoro: 7.5** – Strong in defense and effective in ball movement; got lucky on a foul before scoring. - **Patrick Dorgu: 6** – Competing well early on but lost steam in the latter half. - **Casemiro: 7** – A pivotal presence in midfield, though his early substitution was surprising. - **Bruno Fernandes: 5** – Uncharacteristically missed a penalty and failed to track back for the equalizer. - **Amad Diallo: 7** – Lively out wide, but his substitution surprised many fans. - **Mason Mount: 6.5** – Started brightly but faded toward the end, necessitating a tactical change. - **Bryan Mbeumo: 6** – Active in play but struggled with his technical execution. - **Matheus Cunha: 7** – Showed promise with energy and creativity but lacking in clear-cut chances.

Fulham Player Ratings (Out of 10)

- **Bernd Leno: 7** – Stellar stops kept Fulham in the game, notably one from Cunha. - **Ryan Sessegnon: 6.5** – Had an early shot on goal but couldn’t capitalize; otherwise solid. - **Calvin Bassey: 5** – Struggled defensively, including conceding a penalty. - **Joachim Andersen: 7** – A mix of strong interventions that balanced out a few mistakes. - **Kenny Tete: 8** – Dominated his flank and won crucial battles against Dorgu. - **Sander Berge: 6.5** – Active but didn’t quite control the midfield. - **Sasa Lukic: 7** – Contributed significantly with key passes and a physical presence. - **Alex Iwobi: 7.5** – Instrumental in the equalizer, always looking to create opportunities. - **Josh King: 5** – Largely unnoticeable throughout the match. - **Timothy Castagne: 6** – Had a quiet game playing out of position. - **Rodrigo Muniz: 6** – Involved offensively when subbed off, contributing to Yoro’s goal.

Final Thoughts

As both teams head into the next rounds, Fulham will carry a newfound confidence, while Manchester United must address their inconsistencies if they aim to contend for the top spots this season. Will the Red Devils regroup, or will Fulham build momentum? Stay tuned!