That fortunate equalizer at Fulham? It only barely masked the deep structural issues plaguing Manchester United right now. Matheus Cunha’s tame 26th shot on goal for Fulham only found the net thanks to a lucky deflection off David Affengruber, preventing what looked like a sure win for a team that had previously looked far from Premier League standards. The Red Devils, supposedly a Champions League caliber opponent, looked completely outplayed by a side that earlier this season looked destined for a battle against the drop.
The Same Old Autumn, The Same Old Questions
United are heading into the autumn in a familiar spot, stuck in a cycle of mediocrity. Manager Michael Carrick’s suitability for the job is bubbling up again, while ownership continues to draw the ire of supporters. It feels like too many players are reminding everyone they can always sink below even the lowest bar. The “quiet competence” that landed Carrick the permanent job has vanished, looking more like a rare exception than the rule. They need to dig through those spring files and find the missing ingredients from last season’s run up the table, because whatever they had then, they don’t have now. Remember that anchoring midfield from last season, with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, who was comfortably the best attacker in the league? Well, at least one of those guys isn’t coming back. The other? That’s the real worry.
Fernandes Can’t Carry This Entire Load
It’s not like Fernandes is the problem; he’s trying to do everything. He was arguably the most threatening player in United’s front four against Fulham, creating four chances and taking three shots. A first-time flick against the post was one of the only times the visitors even managed a good shot. He dropped deep to aid a faltering build-up, operating as a key ball progression engine and the hub in the attacking third, constantly delivering those signature high-risk, high-reward passes into the box. By the final whistle, he posted 0.28 expected goals and 0.17 expected assists. That’s a combined output of 0.45 xG+xA, numbers that only top attacking midfielders could sniff at. But even at his peak efficacy, with numbers like that, it’s clearly not enough for a team struggling to find any consistent verve or ingenuity when he isn’t absolutely brilliant.
The international break is coming, and that three-week window gives Carrick and his coaching staff some serious homework to do. They need to find those missing pieces, because right now, this squad is in desperate need of answers before this season really gets away from them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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