Manchester United exited the FA Cup after losing on penalties following a 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday night. Bruno Fernandes netted a fantastic goal to equalize after Calvin Bassey’s initial strike, but United couldn’t secure a vital second goal and ultimately fell short in a tumultuous match where both Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had their penalties stopped.
United displayed considerable determination in the game, managing to stay competitive despite missing 10 key players. Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt both delivered strong performances, while Fernandes was named Player of the Match.
This implies that the only opportunity for United to secure a trophy this season is through the Europa League and a chance to return to the Champions League. Below are some key discussion points from their FA Cup loss to Fulham.
A new face on the bench
Manchester United had the option to name nine players on the bench for the match against Fulham but ultimately included only seven. Among those players, half had not made a competitive appearance for the club, as Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven were joined by goalkeepers Hubert Graczyk and William Murdock.
Murdock, 17, was the most recent addition to a United squad under Ruben Amorim following his standout performance in the Youth Cup victory over Arsenal on Friday night. This not only highlighted his talent but also served as a concerning indication of the limited senior options available to the head coach.
Since taking over, Amorim has faced a significant injury crisis, and being without 10 senior players for the match against Fulham certainly underscores the current team news challenges impacting their performance.
Battling for their futures
Christian Eriksen is likely to part ways with Manchester United when his contract ends at the season’s conclusion, but his display against Fulham highlighted the contributions he can still make. The Danish midfielder took some time to find his rhythm in the match, and once he did, he became crucial to their enhanced attacking performance.
Eriksen assisted United in maintaining possession through astute passing decisions, delivered an excellent ball into the box for fellow countryman Rasmus Hojlund, and forced Bernd Leno to make a good save with a well-placed curling shot in front of the Stretford End. Ultimately, a lack of fitness caught up with him, leading to his substitution in the second half, serving as another reminder that this talent is in decline.
Victor Lindelof is also set to depart the club as a free agent this summer, and he too demonstrated his capabilities with a flexible defensive display in two different roles. Given the ongoing injury troubles, both players are essential for Amorim, but their futures will likely lie elsewhere after this season.