Forward promise Omari Forson, 19, made his first start in a Manchester United shirt when Fulham visited Old Trafford on Saturday. He replaced the injured Rasmus Højlund.
– Forson deserves to play. He has proven it as a substitute and in training, now he has to show it as a starting player, says head coach Erik ten Tag before kick-off.
Otherwise, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf also took a place in the eleven. The Swedish national team captain started as left back instead of Luke Shaw.
Once the match started, it was the visitors who started best. Early on, Alex Iwobi had a chance to give Fulham the lead, but the Nigerian’s close-range shot went narrowly wide.
Shortly thereafter, the teams each had a post hit. The first half, however, was scoreless: the score was 0-0 at the break. But a bit into the second act, Fulham were paid for their dominance.
A corner then steamed down in front of the feet of Calvin Bassey, who distinctly pushed it 1-0 to the visitors in the roof of the net. It was the centre-back’s first goal in the Fulham shirt.
“Deserved goal. Fulham have been clearly the better team so far,” wrote BBC journalist Simon Stone on X.
Paul Hirst at The Times filled in:
“Fair enough. Manchester United have been awful so far”.
United pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages of the game and in the 89th came the payoff. Harry Maguire was alert in the penalty area when he slotted in for 1-1 from close range.
But it was not the end result.
Because in the middle of the home team’s pursuit of a lead goal, Fulham countered – and decided the match. Alex Iwobi received the ball in the penalty area, folded inside and coolly slotted in 1-2 in the 97th minute.
“There are many contenders, but this was one of Manchester United’s worst performances this season. Shocking,” writes ESPN journalist Rob Dawson.
The loss was the first in 2024 for Erik ten Hag and his men. A heavy blow for United, who are now eight points clear of Aston Villa in fourth place in the Premier League table.
The hero Iwobi was overjoyed after the final whistle:
– I’m floating on clouds right now. Winning here – there is no better feeling. We made a very good effort and it’s about getting results, says the Fulham player to the BBC.
– This victory will give us an incredible amount of self-confidence. Everyone’s high on their emotions right now and we’re going to have to come down from that, but it’s definitely a confidence boost. It is a victory to remember.
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf received a third grade for his effort from the local newspaper Manchester Evening News. Only Omari Forson and Bruno Fernandes scored lower.
“Once again not convincing as a left-back,” writes the newspaper.
Startelvor:
Manchester United: Onana – Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Nilsson Lindelöf – Casemiro, Mainoo – Forson, Fernandes, Garnacho – Rashford.
Fulham: Leno – Castagne, Bassey, Tosin, Robinson – Reed, Lukic – Iwobi, Pereira, Wilson – Muniz.
