Manchester United 1-1 Fulham Player Ratings: Bernd Leno’s Shootout heroics dump holders Manchester United out of the FA Cup

Fulham made it to the quarters of the FA Cup after dumping holders Manchester United out in the fifth round at Old Trafford on penalties. Calvin Bassey gave the visitors the lead at the stroke of half-time from a corner.

Manchester United had to thank Bruno Fernandes for stepping up and finding the equaliser yet again. Extra time was inevitable as the game ended 1-1 after normal time. The game went to penalties as there was no separating them there too. Bernd Leno made two crucial saves after the first 3 sets were flawless in the shootout. The German’s second save confirmed the Cottagers’ progression to the quarters.

Manchester United were without Patrick Dorgu who was suspended in the clash against Ipswich Town. Ruben Amorim made changes and gave starts to fringe players in the cup game. Fulham rotated in the cup too as Marco Silva tried to go one better than the previous attempt.

The hosts had a rapid start as Bruno Fernandes stung the palms of Bernd Leno. They kept possession and Christian Eriksen probed the entire field and created a great chance for Rasmus Hojlund. Fulham were struggling to get out of the intense Red Devil press. They rode the storm and gained a solid footing in the game.

Andreas Pereira, the ex-Red Devil orchestrated multiple attacks. The biggest chance of the game fell Sasa Lukic’s way. The midfielder found himself in acres of space in United’s box after a late run as Iwobi’s delicious cross found him. He was unable to put it on target as his body shape was all wrong. Joshua Zirkzee then stuck a foot to Fernandes’ cross as the ball blazed wide.

The Cottagers stormed into the lead in extra time when Rodrigo Muniz flicked on a corner for Calvin Bassey. Bassey reacted the quickest to nod the ball past a scrambling Nouassir Mazraoui and Andre Onana. Manchester United’s set-piece frailties were exposed once again. It condemned the holders to a half-time deficit as they wanted a huge second half to defend their crown.

Despite no changes at half-time, we were introduced to plenty of changes just 10 minutes into the second half as Adama Traore was injured. Fulham looked the better side and were chasing the all-important second goal before the hour mark. There was an alarming drop-off in Manchester United’s intensity as the Cottagers found passing in the opposition half all too easy. They failed to kill the game off and were made to pay later.

There was a small break in play as the players were given a window to break the Ramadan fast in the holy month. They brought the highly rated youth striker Chido Obi-Martin along with Casemiro after the break. But the captain of the Red Devils stepped up yet again as he drew them level. He swept home Diogo Dalot’s cutback with his left foot towards the bottom corner from 20 yards out in the 71st minute to set up a nervy finale.

The game turned into an end-to-end affair as both sides went forward to win the game. Onana made a superb save to palm away a curling effort from Emile Smith Rowe. Alejandro Garnacho came the closest for United but he couldn’t get his shot past Leno. The game headed to extra-time as there was no separating these sides in normal time.

The hosts showed great urgency in the first period of extra time as Garnacho came close once again. However, Leno had to make a huge save to put away Obi’s shot from a tight angle. Harrison Reed had a good chance at the beginning of the second half for Fulham. After a cagey 15 minutes penalties were the only way to separate these sides. Both these sides had mixed fortunes from 12 yards this season as Fulham were dumped out of the Carabao Cup after an epic 16-15 loss to Preston. United on the other hand won against Arsenal on penalties earlier in the FA Cup.

Fernandes made a flawless start as he crashed one to his left. There were 5 perfect penalties afterwards before Victor Lindelof blinked first. Leno guessed correctly and stopped it and Robinson gave Fulham the lead. Zirkzee too failed to convert his spot-kick as Leno guessed it right once again. The Cottagers progressed to the next round after triumphing 4-3 on penalties.

This shock continues the ‘Magic of the Cup’ as Fulham makes it to the quarters at the expense of holders and 13-time champions Manchester United. They will be dreaming of a first FA Cup title if they string three good performances together. They will visit Brighton on the weekend in the Premier League.

Manchester United on the other hand have lost the chance to win the first trophy under Ruben Amorim. Their defence of the title ends too as they only have the Europa League to get some joy from. The exhausted Red Devils will travel to Real Sociedad for the Europa League Round of 16 clash midweek.

Manchester United Player Ratings

GK- Andre Onana – 6/10

Had a nervy few touches when pressed by the Fulham forward line. Was too slow to react to Bassey’s header. A couple of great saves to deny Smith Rowe.

CB – Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10

A couple of lunges forward to help United sustain the pressure and hold onto the ball. A sensational tackle to thwart Muniz in the box.

CB – Harry Maguire – 6.5/10

At his usual best up against an aggressive forward and held the line together.

CB – Leny Yoro – 6.5/10

Was playing out of the back with ease and helped his side stride forward. Did a brilliant job at defending the wide channels.

RWB – Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10

Played a bit defensive as he was wary of the threat of Iwobi and Robinson. Was too slow to react when Bassey overpowered him for the opener.

CM – Manuel Ugarte – 6/10

Growing in confidence with each game as he is showing his good bits under Amorim again. However, conceded a silly foul and took a yellow.

CM – Christian Eriksen – 6.5/10

A throwback to the vintage Eriksen who demanded the ball and created chances. His set-pieces were a bit off the mark on the night.

LWB – Diogo Dalot – 7/10

A busy shift in attack and also lent Yoro a helping hand in defence. A fantastic cutback to find Bruno Fernandes in the box for the equaliser.

RF – Joshua Zirkzee – 6.5/10

The supporting cast to Hojlund in the attack. Didn’t impress in the opening 30 minutes as he was handled with ease by Robinson and Bassey.

ST – Rasmus Hojlund – 5/10

Looked electric from the go as he got to the end of Eriksen’s cross but failed to convert it. Had a few decent touches to help his side attack better. The overall standard was just poor and the difference was evident when Obi entered the fray.

LF – Bruno Fernandes – 8/10

The captain plays a new role every week as he fluctuates between midfield and attack. Had a good shot turned away by Leno and another easily caught by him in the second half. The efforts did pay off as he hooked one into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Sub – Victor Lindelof – 6/10

A move to perhaps allow Dalot to attack with greater freedom as Lindelof can cover the left wing more effectively.

Sub – Alejandro Garnacho- 7/10

Joined the forward line and asked Fernandes to sit deeper.

Sub – Casemiro- 6.5/10

Sub – Chido Obi-Martin – 7/10

Had two great chances late in the game. There is always a shot whenever he receives the ball.

Sub – Ayden Heaven – 6/10

Manager – Ruben Amorim – 7/10

Yet to solved his side’s weakness with set pieces and the sudden drop in intensity for a time. It is a long-term project but the short-term gains are completely dependent on individual brilliance.

Fulham Player Ratings

GK – Bernd Leno – 7/10

A fine save to keep Bruno’s effort out in the first half. Did well to deny Garnacho late on and Obi in extra time. Sensational in the shootout.

RB – Timothy Castagne – 6/10

The Belgian was occupied by United’s fluid right-hand side and had little freedom going forward. Feasted on Traore taking away his marker and sent a couple of crosses in.

CB – Joachim Andersen – 6.5/10

Took on the responsibility of locking up Hojlund and found life difficult with him at times. Was calm with the ball at his feet.

CB – Calvin Bassey – 8/10

Tried some risky tricks with the ball at his feet under pressure from United’s front line. Luckily he got them right and put some good tackles too. Great reactions to open the scoring for his second goal at Old Trafford. Made a lot of key clearances and interceptions.

LB – Antonee Robinson – 7/10

The American international drove forward constantly but was also happy to stay behind and deal with Zirkzee. Created a great chance with a cutback in the second half.

DM – Sander Berge – 6.5/10

The midfield was overwhelmed initially but he regained his footing as Fulham grew in confidence in the game. Made a lot of tidy passes to keep the game ticking.

DM – Sasa Lukic – 7/10

A couple of good interceptions set the tone as Fulham took charge of the game. Should’ve scored with his head when Iwobi found him in acres of space.

RW – Adama Traore – 6.5/10

The same old Adama Traore with a lot of flair and little output. The Spaniard had multiple chances where he could’ve hurt the opposition but simply couldn’t do it.

CAM- Andreas Pereira – 7.5/10

The disruptor of United’s defence as he forced mistakes and started attacks for his side. Drove at United’s backline and played some smart 1-2 passes.

LW – Alex Iwobi – 6/10

A great cross for Lukic that wasn’t converted well. Worked tirelessly to close down the gaps when United threatened to attack.

ST – Rodrigo Muniz – 6.5/10

Misplaced a few easy passes and was handled easily in the box by United’s defence. Did raise the highest to knock down Pereira’s cross for Bassey.

Sub – Emile Smith-Rowe- 7/10

It took a great save from Onana to deny him just minutes after coming on.

Sub – Raul Jimenez- 6/10

Sub – Willian- 6/10

Sub – Harrison Reed- 6/10

Sub – Ryan Sessegnon- 6/10

Manager – Marco Silva – 6/10

Aced his gameplan in normal time. But the ability to kill off contests has been a thorn in his path. They were punished for it yet again.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Calvin Bassey.