You know, I haven't stopped smiling since we beat those fools City a couple weeks ago. That smiled has remained and long may it remain as Carrick gets his THIRD win in three at the start of his second stint as United interim.
What a game 🥵. It's never dull with United, that's something we can all agree on.
This game was seen as a test, the true test of this United side and whether they've turned a corner or not. We know they are capable of switching it on and off like that and against the lesser teams, we usually switch it off.
Did we pass the test though?
Result-wise, yes. We did.
Performance-wise though?
Firstly, we got the 3 points. That was the most important thing. We want CL football and after the wins for Chelsea and Liverpool, United needed to defeat Fulham in order to move back into 4th place.
That happened ✅.
The overall team performance as well as individually, was pretty solid. We were very organized - which is something that Carrick has changed - we created chances (as we usually do), scored some goals and kept Fulham relatively at bay.
United started the game off well by creating a couple of early chances with Amad forcing a save from Bernd Leno. That set the tone.
On the 19th minute, the deserved opener came.
The man soon to be departing Old Trafford began his farewell tour early as Casemiro scored what has now become a trademark header for him at United. A free-kick was eventually awarded for a foul on Matheus Cunha after the on field referee original gave a penalty. Skipper Bruno Fernandes put the ball right on the midfielder's head for the simplest of headers.
However, what United did after that was the thing for me.
I think it's fair to say that we all have our reservations about this team. One of my major ones is that they have this tendency to sit back after taking the lead. This allows the opposition more of the ball, they move closer to our goal and we invite the pressure.
This is exactly what happened.
United hardly had the ball for most of the remainder of the first half while the Cottagers grew in confidence. While no significant chance was created, the fact that they were getting into dangerous areas was asking for trouble.
Luckily, we managed to hold onto the lead until halftime which was important.
The second half followed the tone of how the first was going after we took the lead as Fulham had most of the possession.
Somewhat against the run of play though, the home side managed to grab a second through the in-form man: Cunha.
This was a goal that I really liked and wish to see more of.
United did have the chance to break but ended up being held up by the visitors. Instead of trying to force the issue, we just kept possession and rotated the play, displaying a bit of patience. Casemiro then got the ball in space and he managed to find his fellow Brazilian with a great through ball. The tight angle required some finish to beat Leno and boy, was it some finish 👌.
United's no 10 lashed it into the roof of the net with all the power he could muster as it flew past the goalkeeper before he could react.
2-0 on the hour mark and we were sitting pretty.
Nevertheless, I was still unsure.
2-0 is said to be a dangerous score line as teams get too comfortable. This is said when sides are at the top of their game.
United aren't. More than this, we don't know how to keep clean sheets and hold onto a lead.
The longer the game went like this, the more I felt that should Fulham score in the final 10 minutes, we could be in for squeaky bum time.
And of course, my fears became a reality as on the 85th minute, Harry Maguire gives away a stonewall penalty. Despite his protest, he really didn't have a cause for argument.
Raul Jimenez picked himself up after winning the spot kick and coolly put it in the top corner leaving Senne Lammens with no chance.
It really was squeaky bum 😬.
When the fourth official put up the board for 9 minutes of added time, that's when you really thought that perhaps this was another game where we would drop silly points.
And out of nowhere, an absolute beauty was hit from just outside the box as Kevin put his shot into the other top corner. Lammens was never saving that.
2-2 outta nowhere and now we have to win the game all over again.
Those 9 added minutes looking pretty good at this point.
After about 70 minutes, Carrick brought on Benjamin Sesko for Cunha when the game was still comfortable at 2-0. I thought this was a good call.
It looked like a brilliant call as with his first touch, the striker almost made it 3-0. His header unfortunately, hit the post after a wonderful cross by Amad.
At 2-2, you look back at that chance and think that that was a big miss.
However, he just wanted to make the game interesting and said, 'don't worry. I got this.'
Come the 94th minute and the Slovenian made no mistakes this time.
Another breakaway from United saw Bruno get the ball out wide. He dummied the full-back so as to create space for himself before he delivered a cross into the striker. It was slightly behind him but what I liked about this was the selfishness Sesko displayed.
He could've easily slid it to Bryan Mbeumo who was in space and in his scoring form, he probably scores. Yet Sesko controlled the ball and hit it on the turn. His shot also flew into the top corner.
Lot of top corner goals in this one.
The relief of this goal was H U G E!
What a moment for the lad. He was in good form before being dropped by Carrick and he's returned with a bang!
Even though the referee played beyond the 100th minute mark, United did hold on to see out the eventual win.
Carrick appears to be a man who can seemingly do no wrong. Selections are on point. Substitutions change the game. Scores goals. Wins matches.
What more can you ask for?
He is doing a good job and what he's done is bring the confidence and belief back. We feel as if we can win games now a lot more than we did under Ruben Amorim.
That's a big difference.
Keeping it simple and making the right decisions also help. Long may all this continue.
Ratings
Lammens - 7
Dalot - 6.5
Maguire - 6
Martinez - 6.5
Shaw - 6
Casemiro - 8 MOTM
Mainoo - 6.5
Amad - 7
Bruno - 7
Cunha - 7
Mbeumo - 6
Sesko - 7
Ugarte - 6
Mazraoui - 6
Yoro - 6
Michael Carrick - 7.5
Final Thoughts
You know, it wasn't a scintillating performance.
Sorry but I gotta put my reality hat on here.
It was very much sit deep and hit on the break especially after going a goal up. I don;t like this approach because it's not who we are and it invites the pressure.
What I will say though, is that regardless of how we play we still manage to score at least 2 goals which always give you a chance. We also score different type of goals and aren't solely reliant on one player to do so.
Mbeumo didn't score or assist yet we manage to put 3 past Fulham.
The good vibes are back and the camaraderie in the team seems greater than ever.
I know that Sesko missing that earlier chance could've cost us but I think the psychology of scoring a late winner in front of the Stretford End can you much more of a boost.
It means a bit more, you know?
I don't think we convincingly past this test particularly from a performance perspective but it was a hurdle we managed to overcome which has been difficult for us in the past.
It's now about continuing this momentum and being more consistent because there are similar tests to come.
As for now though,
CARRICK AT THE WHEEL!
Benjamin Sesko scores late winner as Man Utd beat Fulham 3-2 | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)