Manchester United vs Fulham. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance10,000.
Free match highlights and report as Edinson Cavani's 40-yard goal-of-the-season contender is cancelled out by Joe Bryan's second-half header; David de Gea started just second Premier League game since February, with Dean Henderson on bench
Wednesday 19 May 2021 06:18, UK
Edinson Cavani treated Manchester United fans to a stunning long-range goal in the 1-1 draw with Fulham at Old Trafford as the hosts' winless run ticked over to three games.
In front of 10,000 United fans at Old Trafford, Cavani scored a goal-of-the-season contender (19), brilliantly lofting the ball over Alphonse Areola from 40 yards for his ninth goal in 10 appearances, despite controversy over a potential offside.
Relegated Fulham had their moments, and equalised through Joe Bryan's header (76) from Bobby Decordova-Reid's cross, meaning United are now "stumbling towards the Europa League final" against Villarreal on May 26, according to Gary Neville, after two defeats and a draw in their last three at Old Trafford.
United have now guaranteed second place with one game remaining, but have dropped 10 points from winning positions at Old Trafford, their highest ever such total at home in a Premier League season. Fulham stay 18th.
The fans inside Old Trafford had waited 436 days to see their side live again - there were no large-scale protests against the club's ownership, though 'GO' banners were seen across the stadium - and they were able to feast their eyes on something special from Cavani early on.
Capitalising on Fulham's high line, De Gea's punt into midfield looked to have been flicked on by Fernandes, allowing Cavani to race through on goal. Spotting Areola off his line, the Uruguayan produced a sublime lofted effort over the goalkeeper and into the net to send Old Trafford into a frenzy.
The goal came with its controversy, however; Cavani was in an offside position from De Gea's original kick, but in an onside position if Fernandes had touched the ball with his flick. VAR looked closely, and couldn't conclusively say whether Fernandes had touched the ball or not, meaning they stuck with Lee Mason's on-field decision of a goal.
After the game, Fernandes himself said he initially did not think he touched the ball.
United had control of the game for most of the first half - Fernandes tested Areola with a shot from outside the box - but Fulham should have gone in level after Ademola Lookman's brilliant through ball found Fabio Carvalho in-behind Lindelof, but the 18-year-old's weak effort was saved by De Gea.
De Gea was starting just his second Premier League game since February, with Dean Henderson on the bench with fresh uncertainties over his future at Old Trafford.
United's current No 1 made a strong case for a Europa League final starting spot on May 26, saving from Lookman's angled shot in the second half and then showing brilliant reflexes to deny Carvalho's headed rebound, but he was beaten with 14 minutes to go.
Moments after Fernandes lashed a free-kick inches wide, Luke Shaw lost out in a 50-50 with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the ball squirmed out to Reid on the right, and his cross to the back post was headed home by Bryan at close range.
With Harry Maguire hugging crutches in the stands at Old Trafford, this was a potential audition for Axel Tuanzebe in the centre United's back line alongside Victor Lindelof, but the draw and lack of clean sheet wouldn't have allayed defensive fears as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to mark progress with his first piece of silverware.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: "Great to have the fans, the buzz, the energy, but I don't think we put on the performance they wanted and deserved. We had some good spells but not enough.
"We were too loose, giving the ball away too often, trying the fantastic pass, the flick, maybe it's because the crowd came in and we wanted to entertain them. They'd be more entertained if we played properly and scored goals.
"We know that we are at the end of a season, we are tired, we need to get minutes into some, to rest some, because we need to be ready for the last game of the season, that's the most important one now.
"We've lost eight points in a period where we should be bouncing, going into the next game, looking forward to it, looking forward to the final and going into that confident. We need to sort a few things out, stop trying to be the world beater, and to just play as a team."
Fulham boss Scott Parker: "I thought we were fantastic today. Nothing really different in our performance. We came here today and played like a big team. We had to be courageous. It's a difficult place to come, Old Trafford, let alone today with 10,000 fans in. I'm very proud and overall pleased with the performance.
"Our performance levels have been there. We managed to put one in the net and defended pretty well. I understand we're judged on a win and a loss but in terms of the performance it's been there."
On Cavani's goal: "I don't understand how it's not offside. The fourth official said if Fernandes hasn't touched it he's five yards offside. I've looked at it back. I can understand if we didn't have VAR, I get that that goal can be given due to human error, but when you can slow it down and look at the angles you can see he's not touched it."
Manchester United's final Premier League game of the season is at Wolves at 4pm on Sunday, before their Europa League final on Wednesday May 26 against Villarreal in Gdansk at 8pm.
Fulham finish their Premier League campaign at home to Newcastle at 4pm on Sunday.
