MAN UNITED 1, FULHAM 1
It was a night when fans made a long-awaited return to Old Trafford, but it was one which ultimately ended in disappointment as Manchester United were held by relegated Fulham.
The evening had begun so well as the Reds, with 10,000 live-football starved supporters admitted for the first time in more than 14 months with Edinson Cavani giving United an early lead with a wonder strike.
It was worthy of winning any match and it looked for an hour as it would secure the victory needed to guarantee runners-up spot in the Premier League.
However, a late lapse enabled Joe Bryan to equalise and ruin the fans’ homecoming as they had to settle for a point which may yet be enough for second spot.
They have squandered 10 points from winning positions at Old Trafford, the highest-ever total in the Premier League era as they are making a faltering finish to the league campaign having collected only one point from their last three games.
Setting aside these statistics, it was all about the fans and, though they shouted for owners the Glazer family to sell the club, they backed the side throughout and were in fine voice.
Indeed, the 10,000 made far more noise than often when Old Trafford is packed to the rafters with 76,000. And it made you realise the game is nothing without fans with games played in front of empty stands during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Embed from Getty ImagesReds’ midfielder Bruno Fernandes agreed: “It was really good [to have fans back]. It’s such a good feeling.
“We know how important fans are to football, so it was really nice to have them back. We didn’t give them what we wanted with the victory.”
Manager Ole Gunnar Solsjaer endorsed that: “There was a buzz, energy and atmosphere and it was fantastic to have the fans back.
“You could feel it in the warm-up when there was a buzz with people talking. It was what we have been missing.
“It could have affected the players as maybe we played too much to entertain.
“We had chances but didn’t take them and it cost us. It was about learning and a good experience.
“We had a good spell before they scored and should have stamped our authority on the game. Nothing is given you and you have to take your chances and earn every goal.
“We wanted three points to go into the next week full of confidence.”
Solskjaer praised Cavani’s strike saying it would have been a contender for the club’s goal of the season had it not already been awarded.
Fulham manager Scott Parker said: “I thought we were fantastic. Nothing really different in our performance. We came here 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. I’m reluctant to say we’ve been unlucky this season, but there have been moments when we have.”
Parker added Cavani’s goal ought not to have stood.
He explained: “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.”
Solskjaer made three changes to the side from their 4-2 defeat by Liverpool on Thursday.
David de Gea replaced Dean Henderson in goal, with Mason Greenwood and Axel Tuanzebe also started. Marcus Rashford and Eric Bailly dropped to the bench.
Scott Parker made four changes to his already-relegated side after their 3-1 defeat at Southampton.
Tim Ream started and captained the side, with Mario Lemina, Joe Bryan and Ademola Lookman all recalled. Joachim Andersen, Kenny Tete, Ola Aina and Josh Onomah lost out.
There was plenty to cheer for Fernandes and Luke Shaw pre-match.
Fernandes received his award for supporters’ player of the year and goal of the season while Shaw landed the players’ player-of-the-year award.
And it was not long until the fans were rejoicing after Cavani put United ahead in the 15th minute with a wonder strike.
This was the first glimpse the fans had seen of the Uruguayan live and his 16th goal of the season will live long in the memory.
De Gea’s long low clearance was impudently met by Fernandes whose impudent back-heel flick found Cavani who raced from half-way and, seeing Alphonse Areola off his line, lobbed the goalkeeper from 40 yards.
There was an anxious wait for a VAR check as there was a suspicion of offside, but having that goal ruled out would have been a travesty.
Fernandes proved why he was player of the year with a terrific drive which forced a terrific save from Areola as the Reds almost doubled their advantage.
Fulham ought to have equalised in the 38th minute when he broke and breezed past Victor Lindelof but was denied by De Gea when he looked certain to score.
Late in the opening period, Fernandes was thwarted again by Areola and Shaw shot over as United remained dominant, though a second goal eluded them
A fabulous Fernandes free kick flashed just wide before United made their first change just after the hour when Scott McTominay made way for Rashford.
Greenwood, released by a superb Cavani pass, was denied by Areola as a second Reds’ goal remained elusive.
And United paid for those missed chances when Fulham equalised in the 76th minute when Bryan was left unmarked at the far post to head home a cross by Bobby De Cordova-Reid. It was the left back’s first goal of the season.
Incredibly it was the 28th home Premier League goal the Reds have conceded, the highest number since 1962-63 when it was 38.
United brought on the fresh legs of Amad and Donny van de Beek in the latter stages for Greenwood and Cavani as they sought a winner, but to no avail as Fulham followed their win at Liverpool with a battling draw at United.