Top News

New Delhi: Captain Bruno Fernandes blasted his penalty wide over the crossbar as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Sunday. United failed to open their account as they remain winless after their first two matches in the ongoing 2025-26 season, having lost their opening game 1-0 against Arsenal despite being the better of the two teams.

Fernandes had the chance to score United’s first goal of the season when he readied himself to take a shot from the spot after Mason Mount was brought down inside the box by Fulham defender Calvin Bassey during a corner. The referee awarded a penalty to United after reviewing the incident on VAR as Fernandes stepped up on the opportunity in the 36th minute.

Not many would have questioned the skipper’s call to take it himself, but he ended up sending the ball soaring over the bar, much to the disappointment of United loyalists. Fernandes was saved the blushes after a deflected header from Leny Yoro in the second half put United ahead in the game. However, it went down as an own goal from Rodrigo Muniz in the end, with the last touch coming from the Fulham defender.

United’s joy didn’t last too long as Emile Smith Rowe equalised for Fulham in the 73rd minute to earn them a point against Ruben Amorim’s men at home. Smith Rowe, who came on as a substitute for midfielder Joshua King in the 71st minute, needed just a couple of minutes to make an impact in the game.

He got on the end of a dangerous cross from Alexander Iwobi from the left and beat United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir to slot it home, making it 1-1 for Fulham. United, who once again produced a fine performance, had nothing to show for their efforts as they had to settle for a draw after failing to find the winner despite coming close on a few ocassions.

Bruno Fernandes misses chance to give United first win of the season

Fernandes was left distraught after missing the penalty and looked visibly upset at the full-time whistle after United failed to turn it around and secure a victory. The United skipper had the chance to earn his club their first victory of the Premier League 2025-26 season, but he ended up missing his first penalty since 2023 to keep United waiting.

United once again started the game well, troubling the Fulham backline constantly with a splurge of through balls and well-mounted attacks. However, they failed to take their chances up front as Matheus Cunha once again missed some close chances to give United the lead early in the first half.

Bryan Mbeumo looked lively on the left, but couldn’t create an impact as United are yet to score their first goal of the season. Striker Benjamin Sesko once again came on as a substitute in the second half, but failed to find the back of the net.

United have looked like a team on the track this season, but no wins in their first two games leave manager Amorim under immense pressure once again, with fears creeping in that lack of early momentum might lead to another disastrous season for the club, which finished a disappointing 15th last season.