Benjamin Sesko clambered off the substitutes bench for Manchester United late on to clinch a third straight win for Michael Carrick back in the interim hot seat.
When the Red Devils had cruised into a two-goal lead, after Matheus Cunha stylishly made it 2-0, it did look as if a hat-trick of victories was going to be smooth sailing for the popular 44-year-old to collect.
It proved to be anything but straightforward in the end, as Marco Silva’s Cottagers mounted a surprise late comeback. Thankfully, the ex-RB Leipzig marksman ended up emphatically smashing an effort past Bernd Leno to secure the dramatic Premier League victory, meaning Carrick and Co hold on to a place inside the top four for another day.
While Kevin’s sumptuous leveller would set up this grandstand finish, as United’s defence just stood back to allow the Brazilian a fantastic shooting opportunity, there were performers for the topsy-turvy Red Devils who excelled throughout.
Man United’s best performers vs Fulham
Come the close of the 3-2 affair, journalist Samuel Luckhurst labelled the win as “euphoric”, with United’s never-say-die attitude clearly on display.
Sesko will ultimately steal the headlines, but it was another terrific attacking display from the aforementioned Cunha, too, who now has a very impressive tally of two goals and one assist from the three games Carrick has overseen.
Casemiro’s no-look assist was a moment of beauty to savour from Cunha’s powerful strike, with the 33-year-old further getting in on the goalscoring act himself to cap off another composed display from the defensive midfielder.
Away from the goalscorers, Bruno Fernandes also dazzled spectators at the Theatre of Dreams by collecting two assists, while Amad Diallo was a livewire in his own right down the right flank for Carrick’s men when amassing three successful dribbles and winning six duels.
Last, but by no means last, Kobbie Mainoo impressed once more as a revitalised first-teamer under Carrick, as the number 37 was a solid midfield anchor next to Casemiro, winning a valiant seven duels himself.
But not every member of the stand-in manager’s starting XI was at the top of their game.
Man United’s biggest underperformer vs Fulham
It was far from being the most polished defensive display from the hosts, as a late Raul Jimenez penalty given away by Harry Maguire handed the away side a much-needed lifeline.
After that spot-kick was confidently dispatched, Kevin benefitted from some lax marking to make it 2-2, with Maguire’s equally experienced defensive partner, Luke Shaw, not at his best during the end-to-end contest.
Shaw’s performance in numbers
Stat
Shaw
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
39
Accurate passes
27/29 (93%)
Key passes
0
Shots
0
Accurate crosses
0/1
Successful dribbles
0
Tackles won
0
Total duels won
1/6
Stats by Sofascore
Shaw has put his injury demons to one side this campaign so far, which is a major positive for a defender who had become all too used to the confines of the treatment room.
Still, even if he has been selected as United’s main left-back all season long, that doesn’t mean he isn’t prone to an off display here and there, with the 30-year-old only winning one duel all afternoon against Silva’s men, from six contested.
Moreover, the number 23 failed to win a single tackle as he cut a quiet figure throughout, leading to Shaw also looking somewhat stunted in the forward areas when failing to deliver a single accurate cross or pull off a successful dribble. Against Arsenal, in contrast, Shaw was far more involved, winning a high five duels and only one pass going astray.
Carrick has a selection conundrum on his hands here, with no other recognised left-back at his disposal in the Red Devils camp. Diogo Dalot could shift over to fill in here if needed, as the 44-year-old assesses whether a change is right, ahead of United’s next matchup with Tottenham Hotspur.
The worry will be whether Shaw will begin to lose some of his sharpness if he is relentlessly played, after putting in a rusty individual performance against Fulham.
For the most part, though, Carrick would have been delighted with the performance of his troops as they battled back to clinch all three points, with the Red Devils looking to extend their new manager’s 100% winning run when Spurs come to town next.
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