Leny Yoro commands, Bruno Fernandes misfires – Three winners and losers from Man United draw vs Fulham
Manchester United surrendered the lead to draw 1-1 with Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.
Just as they did against Arsenal on the opening weekend, the Red Devils showed plenty of promise with their attacking play, spearheaded by the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Bruno Fernandes blasted a penalty miles off target shortly before half-time, but looked to have been bailed out by Leny Yoro’s goal in the 58th minute – which was later awarded as a Rodrigo Muniz own goal.
But Man United were once again found guilty of switching off at the back, with Emile Smith Rowe profiting with a 73rd-minute equaliser just moments after coming off the bench.
The wait for a first win this season goes on for United, but who were their big winners and losers from Sunday’s trip to London?
Winners
Leny Yoro
Leny Yoro was very, very lucky to get away with a push into the back of Calvin Bassey for his goal, but neither he nor anyone else in Manchester United red cared at the time.
This was one of the most accomplished performances yet for the young Frenchman since he arrived in the Premier League.
Yoro used his pace to full effect at Craven Cottage, making a host of recovery runs to defend the space behind the United backline.
| Stats vs Fulham | Leny Yoro |
| Passes completed | 38/43 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Tackles (won) | 2 (2) |
| Last man tackles | 1 |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Headed clearances | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Ground duels won | 2/2 |
| Aerial duels won | 2/3 |
And Yoro wasn’t scared to get involved in the rough and tumble of the Premier League, making two tackles, five clearances, an interception and a recovery — while winning four of his five duels (FotMob).
The 19-year-old showed composure, and an excellent balance of measure and brutality — leaning on one or the other whenever required.
Yoro deserved a clean sheet here.
Matheus Cunha
Given his bad luck in front of goal — and a bit of wastefulness on his part — Matheus Cunha could’ve been put into the Losers section.
However, we here at Football Insider are optimists and would prefer to applaud everything Cunha has done well for United so far.
The Brazilian was a livewire against Arsenal last week and was United’s biggest threat again here, using his pace to cause havoc behind the Fulham backline.
Only a combination of Bernd Leno and the goalposts could stop Cunha opening his Man United account, with the forward passing up 0.38 xG on Sunday.
But the signs remain very positive that the goals will come in time.
Mason Mount
Mason Mount received a welcome amount of plaudits for his industrious showing against Arsenal on the opening weekend, and it was exactly the same here.
The former Chelsea man has already floated between No.9, attacking midfield and central midfield roles throughout the course of this very young season, and has provided Man United with work rate and quality on the ball in each position.
Mount won the penalty that Fernandes blasted high and wide in the first half, while during his 69 minutes on the pitch, he created two chances, had three touches in the opposition box and won four of his six ground duels.
That’s alongside two tackles and a recovery as he helped United keep Fulham under pressure in their own defensive third.
Amorim picked the right time to withdraw Mount, who was just starting to flag behind the pace of the game, but it was another promising showing from a player who seems to be reinventing himself at the start of this campaign.
Losers
Bruno Fernandes
That might possibly be one of the worst penalty attempts we’ve ever seen.
It’s actually a skill in itself to send the ball as high and wide as Bruno Fernandes did from 12 yards here, and it’s one the Portugal international will wish he wasn’t able to execute.
Fernandes was otherwise fine at Craven Cottage; not United’s biggest problem, nor able to deliver a truly standout performance.
But that penalty. So simultaneously poor and costly.
Matthijs de Ligt
For 73 minutes, Matthijs de Ligt was firmly in the Winners section.
The Dutchman was imperious at the back for the Red Devils, making blocks, cutting out crosses and feasting on anything Fulham had to throw at him.
And then, in one inexplicable moment of madness, he just decided to not defend a cross into his box, allowing Emile Smith Rowe to tap home an equaliser just moments after coming on.
It was a bizarre decision from a player who had been excellent at the start of this season up to this point, and one that cost his side the win.
Ruben Amorim
How long can this go on for Ruben Amorim?
The Portuguese coach has now won just seven of 29 Premier League matches in charge of Manchester United, picking up a mere 28 points.
For context, by matchday 29 last season, 28 points would have seen you 16th and just nine points clear of the relegation zone.
There remains plenty of promise in this United side, with the likes of Cunha and Mbeumo injecting new life into their play.
And yet results remain elusive, with defensive slips still commonplace amid 15-minute periods of shutdown and chaos throughout the entire team.
Amorim has been heavily backed this summer and will be given plenty of time yet to get United back on track. But he’s won just one of his last 11 Premier League matches, and that record won’t fly for too long at Old Trafford.