Man Utd holds Fulham to 1-1 draw as Carrick faces more pressure

Manchester United managed to draw 1-1 with Fulham on Sunday thanks to a late goal from Matheus Cunha. But the pressure is growing on coach Michael Carrick after another poor performance.

Carrick's team needed a win at Craven Cottage, but they were thankful to leave with a point.

United went behind in the second half due to a strange own goal by Lisandro Martinez. He accidentally redirected the ball into his own net after Senne Lammens stopped Calvin Bassey’s shot.

Cunha’s last-minute goal saved United from losing a third straight match, but there was not much to celebrate for Carrick and his struggling team.

United has only one win in five Premier League games and is now 10 points behind leaders Manchester City.

They have lost three of their first seven matches this season and are heading into the international break with Carrick under heavy scrutiny.

Carrick has said he is not worried about his future at Old Trafford. But after tough losses to Manchester City and Brighton, this was another blow for his shaky leadership.

Last weekend, United was shocked by Erling Haaland’s winning goal for City in the derby. The referees later admitted that the goal should have been disallowed. Then, on Wednesday, United lost a 2-0 lead against Brighton in the League Cup.

Barely managing a draw against Fulham, who are second from the bottom, adds to a season filled with disappointing moments for United.

Expected to at least repeat last season’s third-place finish, United has gone backwards since Carrick became permanent manager after a successful interim period.

United will play again on October 10 against bottom-placed Tottenham at home. Both Carrick and Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi desperately need a win to change their fortunes.

From the start, United was lucky not to fall behind. Fulham's Gonzalo Garcia missed a chance from a good position early on.

This close call sparked a reaction from United. Bruno Fernandes found Martinez, who had a powerful shot saved by Bernd Leno.

United tried again when Cunha passed to Fernandes, whose strong shot hit the post.

But United looked shaky in defense. Josh King’s half-volley required a good save from Lammens, and he also stopped Sander Berge from scoring.

Oscar Bobb missed a great chance to score moments later, sending his shot off target.

With United struggling, Fulham attacked with force in the last minutes of the first half.

Lammens had to save another shot from King and rushed out to block Alex Iwobi as Fulham kept pressing.

United's lack of energy and poor defending led to Fulham scoring first. After Cunha lost the ball in United’s half, Bassey fired a strong shot that Lammens saved.

Martinez tried to clear the ball but mistakenly kicked it into his own net after deflecting off Lammens.

Leno saved Bryan Mbeumo’s curling shot and quickly dived to stop Cunha’s low drive as United fought to get a point.

In the 89th minute, United’s late efforts paid off with an equalizer. Cunha took a shot from distance that deflected off David Affengruber. For once, luck was on Carrick’s side.