Man Utd’s best and worst players in Fulham victory
Manchester United came from behind to end the Premier League season with a 2-1 victory at home to Fulham on Sunday afternoon.
Erik ten Hag concluded his maiden campaign in the Old Trafford dugout with a third-place Premier League finish. Nine months after losing his debut match in the competition on the same ground, Ten Hag was propelled to one last league victory thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes.
Kenny Tete had taken advantage of United’s sluggish start to nod Fulham ahead and Aleksandar Mitrovic squandered the chance to double the visitors‘ lead from 12 yards inside the opening half-hour but Marco Silva’s side faded thereafter.
Here were the standout performers, for reasons good and bad, from 90min’s player ratings of United’s victory against Fulham.
Fred: 8/10
Chants of “Fred will tear you apart, again,” rang around Old Trafford without the slightest hint of irony on Sunday.
The Brazilian started alongside his compatriot Casemiro at the base of midfield with Christian Eriksen presumably rested ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. Yet, a two-way display laced with silk and steel from the man that created both of United’s goals will surely give Ten Hag something to think about when he selects his XI for Wembley.
Honourable mention
Bruno Fernandes: 8/10
Fernandes was already on his way to the corner flag to celebrate United’s winning goal before even dinking Bernd Leno, nonchalantly scooping the ball over the German keeper almost as an afterthought.
With Fulham’s normal double-pivot of Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha split up, Fernandes picnicked happily in the oceans of space that existed between the lines of the opposition midfield and defence.
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Casemiro: 3/10
Casemiro was treated to a rousing reception from the Old Trafford faithful when he trotted off midway through the second half. Given the Brazilian’s overall contribution across his debut season in the Premier League, it was the least he deserved.
Yet, such recognition grated against an uncharacteristically clumsy display defined by a first-half penalty concession which Mitrovic squandered.
Dishonourable mention
Marcus Rashford: 4/10
Ten Hag was adamant that Rashford had room for improvement ahead of Sunday’s season finale. The Manchester United manager had been referring to his forward’s scoring potential but could well have been describing his defensive discipline.
Caught napping and flapping at the near post for Fulham’s opening goal from a corner, Rashford failed to fill the role of commanding aerial presence in which so many of the division’s centre-forwards are deployed.
At the other end of the pitch, Rashford had a rare day of inaccuracy, rattling off six shots without beating Leno.
On this week’s edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss all the latest transfer news. On the agenda: Tottenham’s pursuit of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot, Bayern Munich’s interest in Declan Rice, Joshua Kimmich, Neymar & more!
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