Lisandro Martinez’s deflected strike handed Man Utd a much-needed win against Fulham (Image: Getty)
Lisandro Martinez’s strike took a wild deflection off Sasa Lukic to hand a welcome victory over Fulham. In a tepid game that won’t go down in the history books, ‘s side earned all three points to ease some pressure after last week’s 3-1 defeat by Brighton.
It was not pretty but United certainly won’t care. Martinez strode forwards in the 78th minute and struck goalwards from 30 yards. His effort struck the onrushing Lukic and dipped underneath the crossbar.
United managed only one shot on target and four attempts in total, while Fulham also struggled to carve clear opportunities. Toby Collyer cleared Joachim Andersen’s header off the line as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. Amad Diallo then had a goal disallowed for offside deep in added-time.
This was an improvement from United but still has issues. struggled, while the wing-backs proved why the United boss is targeting additions in those positions.
Here is how Express Sport rated the United players…
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Andre Onana – 6
Onana had little to do on a quiet evening. Fulham might feel they should have done more to test the United goalkeeper.
– 6
De Ligt probably welcomed a non-eventful game after a challenging couple of weeks. The Dutchman was withdrawn in the 58th minute.
Harry Maguire – 6
Maguire moved the ball well as United built their attacks and generally defended well up against Raul Jimenez.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Martinez was the match-winner in an otherwise drab game. His long-range effort took a wild deflection off Sasa Lukic and dipped over goalkeeper Bernd Leno. But the United defender was lucky to be on the pitch following a two-footed challenge on Adama Traore. Martinez was also involved in several unnecessary scuffles with opposition players.
Traore rose above him with a late header from which he should have hit the target. A goal but an underwhelming display by Martinez.
Diogo Dalot – 5
United’s wing-backs need to provide the wide threat but, once again, they failed to do so. Dalot struggled to support attacks and the sooner Amorim gets new players in the wing-back roles, the better his side will perform.
Diogo Dalot offers little in attack for Man Utd (Image: Getty)
Manuel Ugarte – 5
United’s two central midfielders seemed outnumbered against Fulham, who did an excellent job of quickly breaking attacks. Ugarte had a subdued game.
– 6
Fernandes desperately tried to create from a deeper position. He looks a little more uncomfortable as one of the two No. 6s, and would surely prefer to play higher. The club captain came close with a low free-kick early in the second half.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Just like Dalot on the other side, Mazraoui offers very little going forward. Fulham’s full-backs were hardly quaking in their boots.
Amad Diallo – 6
The man who has stepped up in recent weeks when United have had their backs against the wall, Amad cannot do it in every game. The best performer of the Amorim era needs his team-mates to step up.
Rasmus Hojlund does not do enough to justify his £72m Man Utd transfer fee (Image: Getty)
– 4
United need more from their No. 9. Hojlund had just one touch in Fulham’s box and was mostly anonymous. The Dane is at his best when he has runners around him, but most £72m strikers can create their own chances. This was a desperately frustrating performance and he was hooked before the hour.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7
United’s most dangerous threat was the player most strongly linked with a departure. Garnacho was involved in most of the good work the Red Devils produced in attack. It remains to be seen whether can complete a reported £55m transfer for the winger.
Substitutes
Leny Yoro (for De Ligt ’58) – 6
Yoro had little to do against a surprisingly toothless Fulham.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund ’58) – 5
Amorim replaced the ineffective Hojlund with the equally unproductive Zirkzee.
Toby Collyer (for Ugarte ’76) – 7
United had much more energy and bite in midfield after Collyer’s introduction. It is clear to see why Amorim, whose style demands combative midfielders, is a big fan of the 21-year-old. An outstanding goal-line clearance kept United ahead.
Tyrell Malacia (for Mazraoui ’81) – NA
Kobbie Mainoo (for Garnacho ’81) – NA