Man Utd Give Up Second Half Goal to Fulham; Game Ends 1-1 in Final Home Game of the Season
Man Utd and relegated Fulham draw 1-1 in the final game at Old Trafford this season. United opened the scoring, but a goal from Fulham in the second half cemented parity between the sides.
Old Trafford hosted fans for the first time in 14 months and the energy in the beginning of the game because of it was extremely apparent.
Axel Tuanzebe got the start along side Lindelof in defense, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to have a huge decision to make if Harry Maguire is not fit for the Europa League final.
Fulham, have already been relegated and looked to use that freedom that some already relegated teams have experienced in the past, but United struck first sensationally.
Edinson Cavani scored one of Manchester United’s best goals of the season after David de Gea played a long ball that was flicked on by Bruno Fernandes. The pass found Cavani who spotted Alphone Areola off his line and chipped the keeper around 40 meters out.
Man Utd kept everything in front of them during long stretches in the first half easily breaking up any danger offered by Fulham. It helped create chances for Man Utd and Bruno had a wonderful shot saved by Areola.
Fulham youngster Fabio Carvalho almost put Fulham level after he was played in and got behind Victor Lindelof. The shot was tame and de Gea easily saved the one-on-one.
United probably should have put Fulham away in the first half, especially with all the possession that Fulham gave away in their own half.
Man Utd Let Fulham Back In The Game
As the second half wore on, the energy from the first half seemed to diminish and Fulham got back in the game and had some decent chances.
Ademola Lookman almost caught de Gea out at his near post, but de Gea saved well and followed it up with a double save after Carvalho tried a header off the deflection of the save.
In response United had some good half chances that brought the crowd back into the game, but could not capitalize after decent spells of possession.
It was a counter attack that almost put the game away for United. Cavani found Mason Greenwood well, but Areola made himself big and was able to save the shot from Greenwood in the 73rd minute.
Fulham leveled the game after Bobby Decordova-Reid found Joe Bryan at the back post. Bryan was completely unmarked and had plenty of time to pick his spot against de Gea.
Bruno was one of the only outlets offensively for Man Utd during the second half and had many long range shots easily kept by Areola. Including one in the 79th minute after he sat down his defender and did well to create a shot opportunity.
It was basically all Fulham after that and even ended the game looking to score on United. It was an extremely disappointing game for United, they could have clinched second.
United had a chance to put in one last attack against but played the ball side-to-side instead of putting in the box. One eye must be on the Europa League final.