United let it slip: Fernandes’ missed penalty and Smith Rowe’s strike leave Amorim still seeking a first win

Manchester United led at Craven Cottage and had the match’s pivotal chance from the spot in the first half, yet finished with a 1-1 draw and familiar frustration. Bruno Fernandes blazed over after a long VAR delay, then Leny Yoro helped force the breakthrough via a Rodrigo Muniz own goal — only for Emile Smith Rowe to equalise from close range.

Winless after two league matches and with pressure edging upward on Ruben Amorim, this felt like a missed opportunity. United produced spells of promising play but could not convert superiority into control or a second goal to put Fulham away.

The long wait, the collision, and a skied penalty

United’s big moment arrived before the interval. From a corner, Calvin Bassey grappled Mason Mount to ground while Luke Shaw simultaneously clattered Rodrigo Muniz. Play continued for one minute and 23 seconds until VAR Darren England advised a review; referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the penalty after checking the monitor.

As Fernandes readied himself, Kavanagh inadvertently collided with the captain. The Portuguese reset, then lifted his kick over the bar — his first miss from 12 yards since December 2023. He later accepted blame, saying the disruption unnerved him but the miss was down to a poor strike. It was a turning point United could not reverse.

Yoro forces the opener, but control ebbs away

After the restart, United did find a way through. Yoro climbed to meet a corner and his header struck Muniz on the way in for an own goal. The advantage reflected the visitors’ brighter passages — Fernandes had earlier drawn a low save, while Matheus Cunha had three early looks, one rattling the post from Mount’s stabbed pass and another beaten away by Bernd Leno.

Fulham disputed the goal, with Bassey complaining he was shoved by Yoro with two hands, and even the broadcast verdict suggested the defender was fortunate. Regardless, the inability to build on the lead proved costly as composure slipped and Fulham grew into the contest.

Bayindir’s mixed audition amid Amorim’s moving parts

Altay Bayindir showed why United’s goalkeeping debate persists. With the ball, he was excellent — a sweeping long pass sent Cunha racing through for a first‑half chance — and he produced a sharp feet‑first stop to thwart Josh King. Yet corners again brought anxiety: one flap, one stumble, and deep in stoppage time he was stranded as Joachim Andersen glanced across goal.

Amorim’s selections told their own story. Andre Onana travelled but stayed on the bench as Bayindir kept the gloves, with Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens monitored as a potential addition. Mount started as a false 9 before dropping deeper, Luke Shaw worked in a back-three role, and Benjamin Sesko and Diogo Dalot came on after the break. Andersen stuck tight to Sesko, starving him of touches, and later Harry Maguire was introduced as United chased set‑piece joy, nodding one late chance wide.

An equaliser conceded and a late siege without reward

The goal United conceded had an avoidable feel. From the right, Iwobi’s cross skipped through the six‑yard box, Raúl Jimenez’s air-swing distracted the line, and Smith Rowe nipped in past a flat‑footed Matthijs de Ligt to level with under 20 minutes to play. Bayindir was left helpless by the breakdown in protection.

There were late waves: Amad Diallo forced Leno into action early after the interval, corners piled up in the closing minutes, and Maguire climbed highest only to head wide. Leno’s command under high balls and a booming punch in stoppage time preserved Fulham’s point. For United, the pattern was familiar: promise, pressure, but no winning pay-off.