📈 Key points as Fulham and Man Utd share spoils in tense draw

Summary

In a thrilling Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage, Fulham and Manchester United played out a 1-1 draw. The match saw United take the lead through an unfortunate own goal by Rodrigo Muniz, only for Fulham to equalize with a swift response from Emile Smith Rowe.

Despite a missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes, United managed to hold on for a point. Both teams showed moments of brilliance, but neither could find the decisive goal. The result leaves Fulham still searching for their first win of the season, while United continue to struggle for form.

Player of the Match

Alex Iwobi was the standout performer, orchestrating Fulham's attacks and providing the assist for Smith Rowe's equalizer. His creativity and energy were pivotal in Fulham's comeback, making him a deserving choice for Player of the Match.

Alex Iwobi finds himself in elite company 🇳🇬

Among Nigerians, he joins Kelechi Iheanacho and Shola Ameobi with 67 PL goal involvements (31⚽, 36🅰️), trailing only Yakubu (121) and Nwankwo Kanu (83). pic.twitter.com/FEsOFtSGzV

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) August 24, 2025

Intriguing Statistic

Manchester United have now failed to score in the first half of 29 matches since the start of last season, a record only surpassed by Genoa across Europe's top five leagues (30).

What We Learned

The match highlighted Manchester United's ongoing struggles in front of goal, with Bruno Fernandes' penalty miss epitomizing their lack of clinical edge. Fulham, on the other hand, showed resilience and tactical flexibility, with Marco Silva's substitutions proving effective.

Bruno Fernandes looked unsettled after accidentally bumping into the referee while backing up to take his penalty vs. Fulham.

He even picked the ball up and placed it down again but then blasted his shot over the bar. pic.twitter.com/jwyQHgetNU

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 24, 2025

The introduction of Smith Rowe injected new life into Fulham's attack, showcasing the depth of their squad. The atmosphere at Craven Cottage was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats as both teams pushed for a winner.

This draw leaves both teams with much to ponder as they look to climb the Premier League table.

Current Ranking

Fulham remain in 13th place with two points from two draws, while Manchester United move up to 16th, having secured their first point of the season. Both teams are still in the early stages of the campaign, with plenty of time to improve their standings.

What’s Next

Fulham will host Bristol City in the EFL Cup at Craven Cottage, aiming to secure a morale-boosting victory. Meanwhile, Manchester United travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town, looking to build momentum in the competition.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The draw means Fulham have now managed just one win in their last 16 Premier League encounters with Manchester United, who have dominated this fixture with 13 wins.

📸 Justin Setterfield - 2025 Getty Images