Fulham 0-1 Man Utd: Player ratings as late Fernandes strike eases pressure on Ten Hag

Manchester United snuck past Fulham 1-0 in Saturday's early kick-off with a late Bruno Fernandes goal sparing the Red Devils' blushes and easing pressure on Erik ten Hag.

Man Utd thought they had managed an early goal to settle the nerves at Craven Cottage, but Scott McTominay's tap-in was controversially ruled out for an offside from Harry Maguire in the build-up. The remainder of the first half lacked quality, both sides huffing and puffing but failing to seriously create any promising goalscoring opportunities.

It appeared Man Utd were set to fall short again after an underwhelming second half display, but Fernandes' stoppage-time winner from the edge of the area gave the visitors a slightly fortuitous three points in west London.

Ten Hag was in need of an almighty reaction from his players after successive 3-0 defeats and that's exactly what the Dutchman thought he was in for. Man Utd were a little unfortunate not to take an early lead, Maguire adjudged to be interfering with play from an offside position despite not touching the ball prior to McTominay's eighth-minute tap-in from a free-kick.

A positive, albeit scrappy, start from Man Utd didn't result in any clear-cut opportunities, with Fulham edging their way into the game as the half progressed and the visitors faded. Diogo Dalot did well to deny Harry Wilson at the far post after a tempting cross just before the half-hour mark, but it was a tepid first half of little goalmouth action.

Fernandes' tame curled effort from the edge of the area was the best United could muster, with Wilson and Alex Iwobi spurning promising counter-attacks at the other end with wayward shots. For Ten Hag, it was an eighth straight game his side had failed to take a lead into half-time.

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