Carrick Under Fire as United Match Worst Premier League Start

LONDON — Manchester United leave Craven Cottage with only four points from their opening four league matches after a 1-1 draw with winless Fulham on Sunday. The tally matches the club’s lowest-ever return at this stage of a Premier League season, previously recorded in the 1992–93 and 2025–26 campaigns.

United avoided a third straight defeat in all competitions when Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute effort deflected off Fulham center-back David Affengruber, wrong-footed goalkeeper Bernd Leno and spun into the opposite corner. Cunha had also struck the woodwork earlier, while Bruno Fernandes hit the frame of the goal in the first half.

The point did little to ease the scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick. Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, condemned the team’s sluggish start to the second half after United struggled to find rhythm against a Fulham side that had yet to win a top-flight match this season.

“I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen,” Neville said. “Absolutely pathetic. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Carrick be thinking?”

Carrick was appointed on a temporary basis in January after a playing career at Old Trafford in which the former United midfielder won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. He guided United to Champions League qualification last season following a dire start under previous leadership, but the current campaign has brought four defeats in the opening seven matches across all competitions.

United’s only victories so far have come against newly promoted Ipswich Town and Azerbaijani club Sabah in the Champions League. Their other setbacks include a home league defeat by a 10-player Manchester City and an EFL Cup collapse against Brighton & Hove Albion after United had taken a 2-0 lead.

Fulham opened the scoring in the 63rd minute at their historic West London stadium on the banks of the River Thames. Calvin Bassey’s powerful shot was saved by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, but the rebound struck retreating defender Lisandro Martínez and bounced into the net before Lammens could recover.

Fulham’s defense held until the final minutes of normal time. Cunha then produced the equalizer with a speculative shot from outside the penalty area, which took a significant deflection before beating Leno.

Lammens was also required to make important saves at the other end, denying two attempts from Josh King, an open break by Alex Iwobi and a late effort from Bryan Mbeumo. Fulham repeatedly threatened despite remaining without a victory.

The draw leaves Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa still searching for his first Premier League win. The former World Cup-winning defender with Spain is the first Fulham manager to go winless through his first four league matches since Scott Parker in 2019. Sunday’s point lifted Fulham off the bottom of the table and moved them above Tottenham Hotspur.

Fulham have collected only 20 points since February, with only Tottenham, on 15, earning fewer among ever-present Premier League teams. Their record against United at home also remains poor: Fulham are winless in their last 11 Premier League matches against Manchester United at Craven Cottage, with three draws and eight defeats dating back to 2009.

United made one change from the starting lineup used in the previous week’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City, with England international Luke Shaw replacing Patrick Dorgu at full-back. Fulham named the same starting eleven used in their scoreless draw against Liverpool on September 12.

In the 1992–93 inaugural Premier League season under Sir Alex Ferguson, United also began poorly, losing consecutive matches to Sheffield United and Everton before recovering to win the league title.

**Fulham:** Bernd Leno, Timothy Castagne, David Affengruber, Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, Oscar Bobb, Sander Berge, Josh King, Shea Charles, Alex Iwobi, Gonzalo Garcia.

*Substitutes:* Benjamin Lecomte, Joachim Andersen, Cesar Palacios, Rodrigo Muniz, Kevin, Hugo Larsson, Manuel Angel, Ryan Sessegnon, Emile Smith Rowe.

**Manchester United:** Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martínez, Luke Shaw, Bryan Mbeumo, Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha.

*Substitutes:* Karl Darlow, Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba, Shea Lacey.