Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes was left to rue a missed first-half penalty as Emile Smith Rowe’s late equaliser secured Fulham a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Fernandes sent his spot-kick over the bar after referee Chris Kavanagh awarded United a contentious penalty for Calvin Bassey’s challenge on Mason Mount, following a lengthy VAR check.
It was the Portuguese midfielder’s first penalty miss since December 2023.
United thought they had been spared when Leny Yoro’s deflected second-half header — officially recorded as a Rodrigo Muniz own goal — gave them the lead.
But Smith Rowe, introduced as a substitute, struck from close range in the closing stages after Alex Iwobi’s delivery caused chaos in the box, extending United’s winless start to the season.
Fulham manager Marco Silva was furious with the decision to allow United’s opener to stand, insisting Bassey was fouled in the build-up.
“Everybody in the world could see it was an infringement,” Silva told BBC Sport.
United’s Goalkeeping Uncertainty
Attention also turned to United’s goalkeeping situation, Altay Bayindir retained his place ahead of Andre Onana, despite widespread expectation of the Cameroonian’s return.
The Turkish international showed moments of quality, most notably with a superb 70-yard pass to Matheus Cunha, who forced a fine save from Bernd Leno.
Yet Bayindir looked vulnerable under pressure from corners, a weakness already exposed in the previous week’s defeat to Arsenal.
Meanwhile, reports suggest United have stepped up interest in Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who was left out of their squad at the weekend, sparking speculation about an impending move.
Fulham’s Positives and Concerns
While Fulham extended their run without a win, the battling display at least halted a sequence of eight consecutive home defeats against United.
Rodrigo Muniz, linked with Atalanta and Leeds, led the line, though creative spark was lacking in the absence of Andreas Pereira.
Still, Silva could rely on Bernd Leno, whose commanding late intervention underlined his importance as Fulham’s undisputed number one.
What’s Next
Both teams turn their focus to the Carabao Cup in midweek, Fulham host Championship side Bristol City on Wednesday, while Manchester United travel to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town for the first time since 1948.