Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick maintained his perfect start with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s stoppage-time strike.
United went ahead in the 19th minute when Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick found Casemiro, whose towering header left Fulham keeper Bernd Leno with no chance. The home side looked in control after the interval as Matheus Cunha doubled the lead in the 56th minute, latching onto a clever no-look pass from Casemiro to fire past Leno from an acute angle.
Fulham, however, mounted a late fightback. Raul Jimenez converted a penalty in the 85th minute after being fouled by Harry Maguire, before Kevin curled a stunning stoppage-time equaliser from the edge of the box. Just two minutes later, Sesko restored United’s advantage, calmly finishing Bruno Fernandes’ pass to secure his fourth goal in four games and seal Carrick’s third successive win.
Carrick’s record in charge has been remarkable. Following surprise victories over Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal, United remain unbeaten in seven league games, moving up to fourth as they push for next season’s Champions League. The former United midfielder’s early impact raises questions over whether he could be offered the role permanently, a remarkable turnaround considering his dismissal from second-tier Middlesbrough last year.
Off the pitch, the match was overshadowed by protests from the 1958 Manchester United Fans Group. Hundreds of supporters, some wearing clown masks, gathered outside Old Trafford to voice frustration with the Glazer family and the club’s management under co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. Banners, flares, and chants decried what the group called “clown ownership” and a club “run like a circus.”
On the pitch, Carrick’s tactical intuition shone. He brought Cunha into the starting XI to replace the injured Patrick Dorgu, a move that paid dividends as United found a formula to counter in-form Fulham, who had taken the most points in their last eight games after Arsenal. A VAR check denied United an early penalty, but Casemiro’s opener from Fernandes’ free-kick set the tone.
Fulham thought they had a lifeline when Jorge Cuenca scored in the 65th minute, only for VAR to rule Samuel Chukwueze offside by a narrow margin. The visitors’ late heroics, however, were ultimately undone by United’s resilience, with Sesko’s dramatic finish sparking celebrations around Old Trafford.
AFP
