Manchester United avoided another damaging defeat as Matheus Cunha’s late deflected strike secured a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
United looked destined to suffer a third straight defeat after Lisandro Martinez’s own goal put the hosts ahead, but Cunha found a way through with just a minute of normal time remaining.
The Brazilian collected the ball around 20 yards from goal and fired towards the corner. His effort took a heavy deflection off David Affengruber, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way and ending Fulham’s hopes of their first Premier League win of the season.
Leno had been outstanding before the equaliser, producing several important saves as United stepped up the pressure.
The visitors had threatened before the break. Bruno Fernandes came closest when his effort from Cunha’s cutback struck the post, while Cunha himself saw a long-range attempt deflect onto the woodwork.
Fulham responded strongly during an open spell, with Josh King and Oscar Bobb both going close. Marcus Rashford then missed United’s best opportunity of the half when he sent a volley over the bar.
The match lost some of its intensity after half-time before Fulham finally broke the deadlock in unfortunate circumstances.
Calvin Bassey’s low effort created confusion inside the United area and goalkeeper Senne Lammens failed to deal with it cleanly. Martinez then made matters worse with a poor touch that sent the ball into his own net.
United responded with sustained pressure. Leno denied Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha as the visitors searched desperately for an equaliser.
Their persistence finally paid off through Cunha, who spared United another defeat but could not lift them beyond 12th in the table.
United now have five points from five matches, while Fulham remain 19th with two points.
