Man United rounded off their first five Premier League fixtures of the season with a late 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage
Manchester United rounded off their opening five Premier League matches of the season with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham. It was a tepid performance against a side yet to win in the top flight this campaign. Before the game, there was hope, rather than expectation, that United would come out firing on Sunday.
The atmosphere at Old Trafford turned sour in midweek following the Brighton debacle. “What the f****** hell was that,” was the response from the Stretford End as United chucked away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 in the Carabao Cup.
Those jeers were echoed in the second half at Craven Cottage when Kobbie Mainoo, one of United’s better players on the day, was replaced by Mason Mount as they searched for an equaliser. Post-match, Michael Carrick was asked what his message to supporters was after an underwhelming start to the season. “It’s still a big season ahead, to be fair,” he responded.
“It’s a long season, you’re going to have spells through a season. That’s part of the journey through a season. It’s not a sprint, it’s a long effort.
“Of course, I’m not playing it down, we wanted more points from it. So I’m not saying everything’s great. I understand the frustration, of course I do, because we wanted to be better and we wanted to do other things.
“But deflation, I think, is certainly not what we have within the club and within the group. The players didn’t have that on the pitch today and that’s what will carry us through the season, without doubt.” Last week, insisting the campaign is a marathon, not a sprint – or words to that effect – became Carrick’s catchphrase. Unfortunately that won’t wash for many fans.
United have a measly total of five points from their opening five games. Everton and Fulham away, plus Manchester City at home last season, provided seven points for the Reds. This season, they have resulted in two.
Last term the Reds also secured four points against play off winners Sunderland away and the Championship’s second place Burnley at home. This time around United lost to Championship play off winners Hull City but did beat second place Ipswich Town.
So Carrick’s side are already six points worse off compared to last season, and the Reds have arguably had an easier run. Sunderland had established themselves as European contenders by the time United played them in May, and Carrick made changes for that game, having already secured a Champions League spot.
The game against Hull should have at least matched that result, even if the Tigers have taken many by surprise so far but the really concerning factor is the like-for-like results against the established Premier League clubs.
Everton, City and Fulham were all weaker, for different reasons, when United played them this campaign. The Toffees had just come into the match off the back of a disastrous end to the transfer window, City were down to 10 men for three quarters of the derby and Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are not as good as the one Marco Silva had assembled at Craven Cottage.
The season is not decided after five Premier League games, but United are already up against it. If they want to be challenging for titles and the Champions League places they should have been eyeing a double figure return from what was a kind start to the campaign.
United’s matchgoing supporters are already showing signs of impatience. And a three-week break before the next game will only amplify that discontent.
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