Manchester United problems clear and key talking points from draw at Fulham | OneFootball

Red Devils’ winless run continues after dismal showing in capital

There was nothing the under-fire Manchester United manager could do as he dreaded the worst, staring down the barrel of another defeat that would have had the world showering him with the toughest questions once more.

Fortunately for the Red Devils, as they so often do, they dug themselves out of the huge hole that they had buried themselves in, as Matheus Cunha’s late, deflected equaliser cancelled out Martinez’s horror moment.

It was a draw that the visitors simply did not deserve. Alvaro Arbeloa and his Cottagers can feel robbed of what would have been their first Premier League victory of the campaign, but in the end, this is what United do, no matter who is in charge. They churn out results. Just how sustainable this can be, remains to be seen.

The past: Harry Maguire

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Same old story for Man United

Just taking a glance at the United lineup ahead of kick-off would make you do a double take on the date and year you were in.

Harry Maguire at centre-back? We have seen it before. Luke Shaw at left-back? We have seen it before. Bruno Fernandes’ Hollywood switches out to Marcus Rashford, desperately trying his one trick of cutting inside and shooting with his right foot? You get the picture.

You could go as far as to say we have seen the current state of United’s dugout before as well, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was installed as the club’s permanent head coach after a stellar interim spell that got the vibes back intact.

But here, the vibes were on the floor. The visitors did not look up for this fight, where they were outpowered, outran, and outbattled across every third of the pitch.

Look at Gonzalo Garcia’s terrier-like runs into the channels, looking to spin Maguire and exploit the England international’s lack of pace. Look at Josh King, demanding the ball between the lines at every opportunity so he could create. Look at Alex Iwobi, smelling blood and fear every time he got near Diogo Dalot.

This is a side that flourishes on the counter-attack, and that has been their problem no matter who is in the dugout. Sir Alex Ferguson would have watched on from the directors’ box in disbelief at the lack of identity.

Midfield problems still unsolved

This summer was all about rebuilding the engine room, but even after all the money spent, it was evident that United still have not replaced Casemiro.

Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo were far too pedestrian in possession, when what United were crying out for was incisive passes into the pockets where Fernandes and Cunha love to operate. The one time they played the ball into Cunha’s feet, the Brazilian span on a sixpence and forced a smart stop from Bernd Leno.

The other outstanding issue in centre-field was the pivot’s lack of defensive awareness. Too many times King, who buzzed about with some fervour, was afforded every inch of space that he craved, and it was his initial burst down the right that led to the hosts’ goal.

He ran off Tielemans and Mainoo as if they didn’t know he was there, while the United duo found themselves outrun and overpowered by the physical Shea Charles and Sander Berge.

This would have been a perfect time to introduce summer signing Carlos Baleba, who was not handed his long-awaited debut despite being named to a United squad for the first time. The Cameroonian could have freed up one of the two - or substitute Mason Mount - to maraud further forward and add extra thrust to United’s attacking moves. Alas, he was not brought on, and that is on Carrick.

Not good enough: Diogo Dalot

Weak links stark

United and INEOS’ transfer strategy has been clear in the last two summer windows.

First, fix the attack. Check, perhaps lacking a left winger.

Second, fix the midfield. Again, a job half-done.

Next year, it will be to sort out the defensive unit. But this performance highlighted just how urgently this squad needs its surgery.

Dalot was a clear weak link at right-back, and it will baffle many as to how he was given the full 90 minutes, while Noussair Mazraoui sat on the bench. If Carrick does not trust the Moroccan, a right-sided full-back has to be an immediate priority.

Luke Shaw was sturdy at left-back on his return, but replacing him with Patrick Dorgu, who is limited as a winger let alone an overlapping wing-back, is not the answer. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall was heavily courted, and should have been signed now. Waiting for the ‘perfect time’ to sign players is what is holding this side back, and is what will keep them plateauing into mediocrity.