Online Reporter
MANCHESTER UNITED’s only ‘big chance’ of their 1-1 draw with Fulham came from a very unlikely source.
Bruno Fernandes’ first-half missed penalty came back to haunt the Red Devils.
Rodrigo Muniz’s own goal from a Leny Yoro header gave the visitors a lead in the second period.
But the lead was short-lived as Emile Smith Rowe sneaked in front of Luke Shaw to poke home a near post cross less than 15 minutes later.
It was an uninspiring performance for Ruben Amorim’s men, who struggled to fashion chances against the Cottagers’ defence.
This struggle is best illustrated by the unlikely figure who created the side’s only ‘big chance’ of the game. Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was the only player to create such a chance, through his repeated use of long balls into the opponents’ half.
That chance came when a long ball from the Turk fell at Matheus Cunha’s feet, but Bernd Leno pulled off a smart save to tip the ball around the post with the Brazilian through on goal.
Fans of the club and neutrals alike were quick to comment on the bizarre statistic.
One X user derided the club, commenting: “When your GK is the playmaker, just know it’s peak banter era.”
Another user piled into the fray on social media, saying: “After spending over 200m on attackers they still need a goalie to create a chance.”
Bayindir came into the squad following Andre Onana’s injury issues, with the Cameroonian being left out of the squad for their season opener against Arsenal last weekend.
Bayindir’s howler in that game, which handed Arsenal the deciding goal, was not enough to dislodge the Turk from his place in the starting line-up.
Onana took up a place on the bench, but the uninspiring form of both keepers has prompted the club to look at other options in net.
They are reportedly nearing a deal to bring Belgian stopper Senne Lammens to the club to challenge the existing duo, pushing third-choice veteran Tom Heaton even further down the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim said his Manchester United players abandoned their attacking principles after taking the lead against Fulham, claiming their defensive mentality cost them victory in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Craven Cottage.
United scored through an own goal off Rodrigo Muniz’s back but surrendered their advantage when Fulham substitute Emile Smith Rowe struck 93 seconds after entering the fray.
The result leaves the visitors with a solitary point from their opening two Premier League matches.
“We scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play. We want to win so badly and that is a good feeling, that we scored a goal and everyone on the pitch was thinking, ‘Let’s hold onto the advantage and try to win the game’,” Amorim told the BBC.
“For me that is the moment that we have to enjoy more and push the opponent. We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space.
“We have to grow up a lot as a team. For me the most important thing is that during the week they were working really hard. Today we worked really hard and we are going to improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal.”
A pivotal moment in the first half saw United skipper Bruno Fernandes miss a penalty that was awarded after a VAR check, with the playmaker sending it high over the bar.
It marked the fifth time he has missed a penalty since his Premier League debut in 2020.
“I think he is not used to missing penalties. He knows the importance, that this moment can have a huge impact on the team,” Amorim told Sky Sports.
“During the game he was not happy because he was not involved and he has so much responsibility and I think he thought missing the penalty was huge for us.”
Despite already trailing leaders Arsenal by five points early in the campaign, Amorim remained bullish about United’s prospects in the league.
“We just want to win games. The players know they are playing in a club where they need to be better,” he said − Sun/Reuters.
