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Fulham 1-1 Manchester United: Cunha strikes late to rescue point after Martínez own goal
Sep 20 2026 18:48 · By onefootball.com · 3 Reads
Manchester United needed an 89th-minute equaliser from Matheus Cunha to earn a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their difficult start to the Premier League season.
Fulham took the lead through a Lisandro Martínez own goal in the 63rd minute after Senne Lammens failed to deal cleanly with Calvin Bassey’s effort. United responded late, with Cunha’s deflected strike denying the hosts their first league win of the campaign.
As it happened
Fulham made the brighter start and created the first opening when striker Gonzalo García dragged an effort wide. Manchester United soon responded, with defender Lisandro Martínez forcing Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno into a strong save from distance.
United went closest to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. Forward Matheus Cunha capitalised on a mistake and squared for captain Bruno Fernandes, whose low finish struck the post.
Fulham continued to threaten at the other end. Midfielder Sander Berge and winger Oscar Bobb both went close, while Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced important saves to deny Joshua King and Alex Iwobi as an open first half ended goalless.
The hosts eventually went ahead in the 63rd minute. Fulham defender Calvin Bassey struck from distance and Lammens could only parry the ball into Martínez, with the rebound ricocheting into the United net.
Manchester United pushed for a response and nearly found one four minutes later, when Bryan Mbeumo’s effort from a rehearsed corner routine was kept out by an excellent Leno save.
Cunha remained United’s main threat and forced another save from Leno from outside the area before the visitors finally drew level in the 89th minute. Patrick Dorgu found the Brazilian on the edge of the box and his shot took a heavy deflection off David Affengruber, wrong-footing Leno.
United had appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty shortly before the equaliser after the ball struck Bassey inside the area, but VAR upheld the on-field decision. Neither side found a winner in stoppage time as the points were shared.