Lisandro Martinez's poorly bent shot and the 89th minute header of Toby Collyer van de Lijn brought Manchester United to a rare Premier League victory under Ruben Amorim, with the 1-0 win at Fulham who rides them in the table until 12th.
The game went on the way to a boring stalemate, where United bodies got behind the ball and is not standing. They only had a shot for the 42nd minute. The 13 in the entire game of both teams was the lowest total for a Premier League match this season.
But with 12 minutes to play, Martinez's strike rose from the edge of the Sasa Lukic box and came in under the bar, which brushed the fingertips of Bernd Leno along the way. It was United's first effort on Target. There was also an element of controversy about the goal scorer, with Martinez earlier in that half escaped punishment for a two-foot challenge on Adama Traore.
United's victory was just as dependent on the 21-year-old Collyer who fell back to let Joachim Andersen's attempt leave a corner while the clock tapped. The young replacement was harassed by his teammates who hurried to celebrate with him.
Rodrigo Muniz shot from six meters in stopping time for a new resignation for United – although Amad Diallo was also refused at the time, with his parties limited by a VAR outside game.
Amorim had stated before the competition that the result was more important than the performance, and he would have been relieved to celebrate Premier League Win number four out of 12 attempts, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe looked at Craven Cottage. As for the implementation, there was much more to be desired.
'Attack, Attack, Attack' sang the traveling fans while United hit 45 on the ball at the back 45, apparently happy to take the time out of the game. Their confidence looked fragile – understandable since they had lost six of their last nine in the competition. But these three points will increase the mood for the time being.
As far as Fulham is concerned, they will get rid of it – but their first half impulse by Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez had dried against the time that United broke the impasse and, despite the fact, force a late reaction. Marco Silva's side in 10th place.
Amorim: Not a great achievement, but we fought for the victory
Man Utd Boss Ruben Amorim:
“It's a good day for us. It was not a great achievement and we can see it, but we are fighting for the victory, we gave some time to the team to understand the game, to be lucky that you sometimes need to win a football match.
“We had a few games that we lost at the end and it couldn't give anyone because it is the result that counts. I remember that we have the opportunities we missed against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth … we have much to improve , we didn't play so well with the ball. “
Silva: We didn't deserve to lose
Fulham -Baas Marco Silva:
“It was cruel for us, the result. Moment of them during the first half.
“The second half was more balanced. Our second half was not that good. A really unhappy goal. There was a reaction from ourselves. They came with the low block, players around the box [in the final minutes]. The result is not what we earn from the game, but football is like that. “
Analysis: a winning feeling – but still clearly see the problems of United
Sky Sports' Peter Smith:
Amorim had emphasized the importance of the result for the performance before the victory of Man Utd in Fulham and his hope will be the momentum to pick up three points on the road, can give his side a boost.
They certainly looked that they needed one during most of this competition. The caution of United was clearly visible because they defended and searched for the safe option in figures. It was remarkable before the game that Fulham was mentioned as favorites – and the visitors played their underdog tag.
This result does not masse the problems that Amorim has to solve. He himself noted that the lack of thrust in the last third part and the question marks about both Hojlund and his replacement Zirkzee remains. Alejandro Garnacho, a player they could sell before the deadline, it seemed most likely to offer a spark in the midst of another non -inspiring attack. Fulham, despite a poorly offensive set-piece record itself, brought up that well-documented United weakness almost late.
Still, with a Europa League trip to Bucharest followed on Thursday by home games against Crystal Palace and then Leicester in the FA Cup, there is perhaps a chance for United to build a positive rhythm to improve their short-term prospects. The larger whole remains a large work in progress.
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