I guess things must have been going a little too well for Manchester United.
The Red Devils went into Saturday’s clash with Fulham off the back of four straight Premier League wins, while they were unbeaten in a further three matches across all competitions to begin 2024.
But that was about to change.
The main talking point from Erik ten Hag’s starting lineup was the inclusion of 19-year-old Omari Forson for his full Premier League debut.
“He deserves to play”
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag explains why he has decided to hand 19-year-old Omari Forson his first Premier League start 🔴 pic.twitter.com/KJvCgtiHv7
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 24, 2024
In Omari Forson’s first Premier League game, he played against Craig Dawson. In Omari Forson’s first Premier League start, the fourth official is Craig Pawson. Awesome.
— Richard Jolly 🇺🇦 (@RichJolly) February 24, 2024
Forson was given the nod ahead of Antony, who couldn’t buy a start even on his birthday.
For all the talk of Antony being Ten Hag’s favourite, the winger hasn’t started in the Premier League in 2024.
And Ten Hag has opted to go with Forson in the line up than restore Antony to the line up. On Antony’s birthday.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) February 24, 2024
Anyone still trying to shout at Ten Hag for having Antony as a favourite? Hasn’t started for United in the league this year and today he’s taking a chance on 19 year old Forson rather than repeating something he obviously sees as a problem. That’s a really good sign from Ten Hag.
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) February 24, 2024
It was a nervy start for the hosts at Old Trafford, with Alex Iwobi squandering two early chances for Fulham on the counter attack.
Alex Iwobi bears down on goal for second time in quick succession but scuffs his shot wide, as he did the first time. Move began down United’s left, where Lindelof is a poor imitation of Shaw. Also missing Hojlund’s hold-up play
— Richard Martin (@RichMartinMcr) February 24, 2024
We’re so lucky Iwobi can’t shoot
— bene gesserit sister (@CasaDupre) February 24, 2024
Diogo Dalot went close to opening the scoring for United, striking the post after a dismal opening period from the Red Devils.
Long range Diogo Dalot shot clips the outside of the post.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 24, 2024
Fairs man, Dalot really spent time practicing long shots there, close…
few months ago he skies all the shots looking for top bins like a Soccer AM challenge
— chunhang 🇲🇾 (@chunhang7) February 24, 2024
Fulham responded by going up the other end and striking the post themselves through in-form striker Rodrigo Muniz.
Now Fulham smack the post. Muniz turns Lindelof brilliantly and Onana beaten all ends up. Muniz deliberately pulling onto Lindelof. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 24, 2024
United were far from inspiring on either side of half-time…
Man United have managed to be even worse since half-time.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) February 24, 2024
…and they were made to pay when Calvin Bassey fired Fulham ahead.
BASSEYYYYYYYYY!!! 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/iul90NIrwU
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 24, 2024
It was coming. And it’s deserved. Pereira’s corner. Bassey with the first contact, hits Castagne and then Bassey smashes it into the net.
He dances with Muniz in front of the away end. 0-1! #MUNFUL
— Peter Rutzler (@peterrutzler) February 24, 2024
Just when all hope seemed lost for United, Harry Maguire popped up with an equaliser in the final minutes of the regulation 90.
Harry Maguire levels for United in the final minute of the match. A real striker’s finish; start him upfront against City next week #mufc
— Rich Fay (@RichFay) February 24, 2024
Maguire played striker for 5 minutes better than Rashford has in striker for 90 minutes
— Daniel🇳🇬🇳🇬 (@danielogoun7) February 24, 2024
United firmly in that “are they a bad good team or a good bad team?” zone.
— Anchorage Man (@SethPartnow) February 24, 2024
But that wasn’t to be the be-all-and-end-all. Deep into nine minutes of added time, Iwobi – who missed the game’s first flurry of chances – buried the final one of the day to wrap up the points for Fulham.
Iwobi has won it. 2-1 Fulham. Extraordinary. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 24, 2024
90+7. Alex Iwobi scores for @FulhamFC 😅
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 24, 2024
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 24, 2024
Man United play badly again, don’t have an in-form Hojlund to bail them out and lose. Shockshockshock.
— Benjamin Wills (@BWills95) February 24, 2024
Ten Hag finally gave Antony a run-out in search of one last goal, or more likely just as a birthday treat.
📸 – Antony has been brought on by Erik ten Hag on his birthday, in the 99th minute. pic.twitter.com/mx4YgBFbkR
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) February 24, 2024
Subbing on Antony immediately after conceding in the 97th minute is a type of pain I hope to never experience…..#MUNFUL
— JAKE BUCKLEY 🇦🇺 (@TheMasterBucks) February 24, 2024
But soon after the Brazilian’s introduction, United’s defeat was confirmed, bringing their recent run of wins to a grinding halt.
That was a good couple of weeks when Man Utd were back.
— Grace Robertson 🏳️⚧️ (@GraceOnFootball) February 24, 2024
Another 17 shots against Man Utd for Fulham today, to go with 22 for Luton, 23 for Villa, 22 for West Ham, 16 for Wolves, 17 for Newport, 16 for Tottenham. Simple stats that tell you the coach is not setting the team up well enough.
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) February 24, 2024
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