Michael Carrick has Manchester United supporters dreaming of a return to the golden age after improving the Red Devils to 3-0 under his watch following a topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.
MORE — Michael Carrick, Benjamin Sesko reaction
Man United looked set for blushes after they threw away a 2-0 lead authored by Casemiro, who scored and then set up Matheus Cunha for another. Fulham answered through a Raul Jimenez penalty and a wonder goal from Kevin in a six-minute span on the edge of stoppage time.
But Benjamin Sesko scored a sensational goal off a buzzing feed from Bruno Fernandes, as the Red Devils overcame their blown two-goal lead and a Fulham side that held almost 60% of the ball.
WATCH — Manchester United v Fulham full match replay
The Red Devils move back into the top four with 41 points, one more than Chelsea and two more than Liverpool. They’re five points off third-place Aston Villa and 12 back of leaders Arsenal.
Fulham stall in eighth place with 34 points, five off sixth place but also five ahead of 14th in the muddled middle of the Premier League table.
Man United’s moments of magic manufacture win
Fulham played the better football, or at least the most complete football in this match and got a marvelous goal from Kevin as its top attacking moment. That fittingly made the game 2-2, as the Cottagers really were second best for most of the match. The difference in this one is that Man United do have fantastic talent on the squad and their elite players provided moments. Casemiro nodded home Bruno Fernandes’ pinpoint acute free kick, then set up Matheus Cunha with a perfect entry pass to feet. Cunha blasted it home, too. Then came the winner, as if United decided, “Well, we’ve gotta be great now.” Fernandes drove play and sent a good entry to Sesko, whose turn and finish was verifiably elite. If the wins over Man City and Arsenal were notable for their name quality, this one was important because of what it means to a team finding three points when they weren’t controlling the game. That’s good for United, and pretty good for Carrick, too.
What’s next?
Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur at 7:30am ET Saturday, then visit West Ham three days later.
Fulham welcome Everton to Craven Cottage at 10am Saturday before heading to Manchester City on Wednesday, February 11.
Manchester United vs Fulham final score: 3-2
Casemiro 19', Matheus Cunha 56', Raul Jimenez pen 85', Kevin 90+1', Benjamin Sesko 90+4'
Manchester United vs Fulham live updates — by Nick Mendola
Benjamin Sesko goal — Manchester United 3-2 Fulham
Another assist for Fernandes, and it’s a good pass, but this one’s so much about Sesko.
He wheels around and hammers a shot into the near post’s upper 90.
It’s Fergie Carrick time.
Kevin goal — Manchester United 2-2 Fulham
A gorgeous goal to level the game, as Kevin tears into a shot from the outside of the 18 and sends it upper 90.
Raul Jimenez penalty goal — Manchester United 2-1 Fulham
No problem there. Game on.
Fulham penalty
Harry Maguire slides into Raul Jimenez after the Mexican gets his shot away, and it’s a penalty to the Cottagers.
Changes for both
Ryan Sessegnon and Kevin enter the game for Fulham as Antonee Robinson and Emile Smith Rowe make way.
Moments later, it’s Manuel Ugarte and Benjamin Sesko taking the place of Casemiro and Cunha.
Sesko heads Diallo cross off the bottom of the near post within 60 seconds of entry!
Jorge Cuenca goal ruled out
Raul Jimenez’s free kick comes through the wall and bobbles a bit before Cuenca, who has not had his best day at the back, slaps it home at the far post.
Is Cuenca onside? Yes, but Samu Chukwueze is offside in the buildup. No goal.
Matheus Cunha goal — Manchester United 2-0 Fulham
The counterattack kings strike again.
Matheus Cunha turns with a Casemiro pass and has room to smash into the upper 90 at Leno’s near post.
Leno denies Mbeumo
Man United have numbers as Diogo Dalot drives through the middle of the pitch and slips Bryan Mbeumo into the box.
Mbeumo is closed down by Bernd Leno and cannot get his dink over the keeper. The flag is up but replays showed Mbeumo was onside, so a goal would’ve likely hit the scoreboard if he beat Leno.
Halftime — Manchester United 1-0 Fulham
Fulham became the more dangerous once down a goal, and will feel hopeful to level the score.
New signing Oscar Bobb is not available but Joshua King and Kevin will both like their chances of affecting the game.
Cunha and Mbeumo have both been quiet after bright early moments. Benjamin Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee, and Shea Lacey are the attacking faces on the bench.
Casemiro goal — Manchester United 1-0 Fulham
So it’s a free kick instead of a penalty, and United cash in a goal anyway as Casemiro thuds home Bruno Fernandes’ perfectly-spun service.
Manchester United penalty overturned
Bryan Mbeumo wanted a penalty earlier for a Jorge Cuenca incident on the line but Matheus Cunha now gets Man United to the spot, pending VAR, as he’s taken down by Cuenca.
Cuenca had a hold of Cunha’s jersey but did get a good bit of the ball near the end line. VAR has overturned the foul and we play on scoreless into the 19th minute.
The foul was adjudged to be outside the area.
Amad shows early danger
The fifth minute sees Amad Diallo cutting in from the right and unleashing a strong curling shot that Bernd Leno has to parry away from the goal.
Open enough game in the early stages at Old Trafford.
Manchester United lineup
Lammens, Shaw, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Fulham lineup
Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Cuenca, Robinson, Berge, Iwobi, Wilson, Smith Rowe, Chukwueze, Jimenez
Manchester United vs Fulham preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Michael Carrick has got off to the dream start as United’s interim boss as he followed up a derby win against Man City with a miraculous, and dramatic, 3-2 away victory at Arsenal last weekend. United are in the top four heading into this weekend and Champions League qualification is very possible. Carrick has given United’s star players a real boost and has returned them to being a brilliant counter-attacking team.
Fulham secured a big comeback win late on against Brighton last weekend with their main man Harry Wilson scoring the winner in the 92nd minute. Marco Silva’s side are only four points behind United in the table and are pushing hard to qualify for Europe. That is very possible given the solid form of their experienced squad and their light schedule compared to the teams around them.
Manchester United team news, focus
Carrick has gone to a back four and Kobbie Mainoo has been a revelation since returning in midfield. Bryan Mbeumo has been leading the line superbly with Bruno Fernandes using his quality just behind him. However, Carrick will have to change things up as Patrick Dorgu has injured his hamstring. That is a blow given his excellent recent form and the screamer he scored against Arsenal. Still, United have plenty of options out wide and either Sesko or Cunha could come in up top with Mbeumo or Diallo switching to the left.
Fulham team news, focus
There is a very settled look to this Fulham lineup and injuries have been kind to them this season, but Sasa Lukic, Rodrigo Muniz and Kenny Tete remain out. The trio of Raul Jimenez, Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe have been linking up really well in attack and Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin have been chipping in with goals and big performances out wide, while new signing Oscar Bobb will help plenty with that too.
Manchester United vs Fulham prediction
This feels like United will just edge it but Fulham are very dangerous on the counter. Go for a narrow home win. Manchester United 2-1 Fulham.
How to watch Manchester United vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 9am ET Sunday (February 1)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: NBCSN
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
