Five things learned as Manchester United draw 1-1 vs Fulham

Manchester United head into the international break having rescued a point against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

A bizarre Lisandro Martinez own goal meant Manchester United were staring at three consecutive defeats in all competitions, but a late Matheus Cunha strike rescued a 1-1 draw for the Red Devils.

The wait for a Premier League clean sheet goes on for Michael Carrick, and the United head coach will be concerned at the lack of energy or intensity to threaten Alvaro Arbeloa’s side.

United now sit 12th in the Premier League table.

Pressing problems

In possession, United show glimpses of quality. But without the ball? The Red Devils have to be one of the most ineffective sides in the Premier League at winning it back.

There were some (very) half-hearted attempts to press, and every time, Fulham managed to play through United and exploit the space left behind.

Michael Carrick has been trying to implement a more possession-based style of play this season, but the biggest concern is how United look without the ball at their feet.

Luke Shaw’s milestone

This match marked Luke Shaw’s 300th appearance in a United shirt.

Considering Shaw’s troubling injury record, it is a proud achievement for the 31-year-old, who has now been a United player for 13 years.

However, United’s failure to win meant that Shaw wasn’t truly able to celebrate his feat.

Benjamin Sesko’s injury woes

In the build-up to the match, there were reports that Benjamin Sesko was missing from Carrick’s squad.

When United’s XI was named, it was confirmed that Sesko was out, and it is reportedly the same shin injury that kept him out of pre-season.

United chose not to sign another striker this summer, and that decision could come back to bite Ineos. Thankfully, it was his replacement Cunha who stepped up to score.

Carlos Baleba’s debut has to wait

For the first time since his £65 million move from Brighton, Carlos Baleba featured in a United matchday squad for the trip to Fulham.

Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Baleba is recovering from an ankle injury and most predicted his debut would have to wait until after the international break. It turns out those predictions were right.

Michael Carrick: Patient or unreactive?

After an uninspiring first half, it became clear very quickly in the second half that something wasn’t clicking in this United side.

There was a deeply concerning lack of intensity and energy, yet Carrick on the touchline decided to wait… and wait.

The first United change wasn’t introduced until the 77th minute when Joshua Zirkzee came on. The momentum changed and the Red Devils improved, so fans will wonder why it took so long.