Fulham0 - 1Man Utd

The Argentina international's deflected effort in the 78th minute of the contest proved to be enough for the Red Devils to earn a hard-fought win over a Fulham side that struggled to get going in front of their own supporters.

The victory has moved Man United into 12th spot in the Premier League table, now boasting 29 points from 23 league matches this season, while Fulham stay 10th, with Marco Silva's side on 33 points from their 23 top-flight fixtures in 2024-25.

Ruben Amorim's team have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions and lost just one of their last six, but they needed substitute Toby Collyer to head one off the line late on, as Fulham desperately searched for a leveller, before Amad Diallo had one disallowed late on for offside following a VAR check.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

An all-time Premier League classic? Not quite, but it did liven up in the latter stages.

Man United defended well, and for that they deserve praise considering some of the dire defensive performances that have been served up, but their issues in the final third of the field were again on full display in this match.

Rasmus Hojlund started but struggled, and Joshua Zirkzee then found it equally difficult to make his mark. In truth, it was the same story down the other end, with neither Raul Jimenez nor Rodrigo Muniz having joy in a match dominated by the defences.

Ironically, it was one of the defenders that won it, with Martinez's deflected effort late on securing all three points for the Red Devils, and this felt like a hugely important result for Amorim and his players considering what was on the line.

Man United are not going to finish in the European spots in the Premier League this term, but they simply must be in the top half of the division, and the team are now only four points behind the side that they beat on Sunday night.

It is clear that this squad needs a lot of work, and a lot of new players, but this was the type of result and performance that Man United used to be famous for down the years, and it could be the springboard for a strong run in the coming weeks.

FULHAM VS. MAN UNITED HIGHLIGHTS

Lisandro Martinez goal vs. Fulham (78th min, Fulham 0-1 Man United)

Man United make the breakthrough in the 78th minute of the contest, as Martinez's effort from outside the box takes a deflection before beating Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno - it is a big moment, as the Red Devils make the breakthrough at Craven Cottage.

Amad Diallo disallowed goal vs. Fulham (95th min, Fulham 0-1 Man United)

Amad finds the back of the net, seemingly making it 2-0 to Man United, but his effort is chalked off for offside; it was very close, but the Ivorian was just past the final defender, and Fulham have a lifeline in the latter stages.

MAN OF THE MATCH - HARRY MAGUIRE

Martinez got the winner, but it was another Man United centre-back that starred at Craven Cottage, with Harry Maguire putting in an excellent performance in the middle of the Red Devils defence.

Jimenez found it incredibly difficult to get the better of the Englishman, and he finished the contest with a pass success rate of 97%, while the 31-year-old was aerially dominant, and it is clear to see why Amorim currently trusts him.

FULHAM VS. MAN UNITED MATCH STATS

Possession: Fulham 51%-49% Man United

Shots: Fulham 9-4 Man United

Shots on target: Fulham 3-1 Man United

Corners: Fulham 3-0 Man United

Fouls: Fulham 7-9 Man United

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Man United's attention will now switch to the Europa League, with the Red Devils making the trip to Romania to tackle FCSB in their final match in the league phase of the competition; Amorim's side will then be back in Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford next Sunday.

Fulham, meanwhile, are on the road next weekend, heading to St James' Park to tackle Newcastle United, before switching their attention to the FA Cup, with Wigan Athletic their opponents in the fourth round of the competition on February 8.

Written by

Matt Law