Sesko Seals Manchester United27s Thrilling Victory Over Fulham

Old Trafford witnessed another unforgettable chapter in Premier League drama on February 1, 2026, as Manchester United edged Fulham 3-2 in a match packed with controversy, late heroics, and a crowd swept up in both protest and celebration. With Michael Carrick at the helm as interim head coach, United notched their third consecutive league victory, surging back into the top four and reigniting hopes for Champions League qualification.

The day began with tension in the air, as between 500 and 600 fans gathered outside Old Trafford to voice their discontent with United’s ownership. Chants echoed inside the stadium, targeting both the Glazer family and minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose stewardship has been marked by managerial upheaval and ambitious—if divisive—plans for a new stadium. The protest, while smaller than organizers predicted, set the stage for a game already crackling with anticipation.

Once the whistle blew, the match wasted no time in delivering drama. The opening goal arrived in the 19th minute, but not before a lengthy VAR intervention. Referee John Brooks initially pointed to the spot after Jorge Cuenca tangled with Matheus Cunha in the box. After a protracted review, VAR James Bell advised Brooks to overturn the penalty, ruling the foul occurred just outside the area. Fulham manager Marco Silva was incensed, earning a booking for his protests. But United capitalized on the ensuing free kick: Bruno Fernandes floated a precise cross to Casemiro, who powered home a header to the top right corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Casemiro’s influence didn’t end there. Eleven minutes into the second half, the Brazilian turned provider, threading a clever pass through Fulham’s defense. Matheus Cunha, brimming with confidence after scoring in successive games, smashed a right-footed finish past Bernd Leno to double United’s lead. Old Trafford buzzed with the sense that victory was all but assured.

Yet Fulham, undaunted and determined, clawed their way back. A disallowed goal for Jorge Cuenca—chalked off by VAR for offside in the build-up—fueled their sense of injustice. Fulham’s persistence paid off in the 85th minute when Harry Maguire, already on a yellow card, fouled Raúl Jiménez in the box. The Mexican striker, ice-cool despite the pressure, paused repeatedly before rifling his penalty into the roof of the net, making it 2-1 and setting up a frantic finish.

With nine minutes of stoppage time announced—mainly due to the two lengthy VAR reviews—the match became a rollercoaster. Fulham pressed forward, and substitute Kevin delivered what looked to be a heart-stopping equalizer in the 91st minute, unleashing a thunderous shot from outside the box into the top corner. The away supporters erupted, sensing they’d snatched an unlikely point.

But United’s storied tradition of late drama was about to add another memorable entry. With the clock ticking deep into added time, Bruno Fernandes whipped in a cross that found Benjamin Sesko in the center of the box. The young striker, on as a substitute, showed remarkable composure to control the ball, turn, and fire a right-footed shot into the top right corner. Old Trafford exploded in celebration—Sesko’s goal not only sealed the 3-2 win but also marked United’s third straight victory since Carrick’s appointment.

After the final whistle, Carrick was quick to praise his team’s resilience and the significance of Sesko’s contribution. “Huge moment, I’m so, so pleased as is everyone, the changing room, the players, the staff, absolutely delighted, and the reception he got when he came back from the changing room kind of told us everything,” Carrick told reporters. He reserved special mention for the young striker: “Ben’s a big talent, he’s got so many positive things, today’s a huge goal because that feeling, as a striker there to score a win in front of the Stretford End, it’s kind of what you dream of really.”

For Fulham, the sense of missed opportunity and frustration with officiating was palpable. Manager Marco Silva did not hold back in his assessment, telling Sky Sports, “The story of the game started with a horrendous, terrible decision from John Brooks with the penalty he gave. Horrendous decision from that moment, big, big mistake.” He continued, “The penalty was given by the tackle. After, because the decision was so bad, they found a different foul.” Fulham’s anger was compounded by the disallowed goal for Cuenca and the feeling that, despite their late resurgence, they “deserved so much more.”

The match was not without its physical edge. Both Casemiro and Harry Maguire received yellow cards for robust challenges, and the midfield battle was fierce throughout. Carrick’s United, while showing attacking flair, were also willing to dig in and disrupt Fulham’s rhythm—a trait that has become more pronounced since his arrival. “I can’t fault the players, the spirit has taken us through today, and it’s a good feeling when it does,” Carrick remarked post-match.

The statistical story of the game tells of a contest in constant flux: multiple substitutions, a flurry of blocked or saved shots, and tactical tweaks from both managers as the match ebbed and flowed. VAR played a central role, with two game-changing interventions—the overturned United penalty and Fulham’s disallowed goal—drawing the ire of supporters and coaches alike. The nine minutes of added time reflected just how much the video assistant shaped the evening’s narrative.

Beyond the pitch, the pre-match protest highlighted the ongoing tensions between United’s fanbase and ownership. The expense of recent managerial changes, the controversial sacking of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and the uncertainty surrounding the club’s future direction remain hot topics. As one 1958 Group spokesman put it, “They’re pushing ahead with the vanity project of this new stadium, the ticket prices are going up and the rules around them are becoming more and more stringent. The traditional fans are just getting priced out. Everything’s just a mess.”

Still, for ninety-plus minutes, football took center stage. United’s win propelled them above Chelsea and Liverpool into fourth place, keeping their Champions League hopes alive. The victory also showcased the depth and character of Carrick’s squad, with young talents like Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo stepping up in crucial moments. Carrick was effusive about Mainoo’s contribution: “Kobbie’s performance was very, very good today in so many ways again... seeing him today and playing with that kind of confidence and belief is a real joy to watch for any young player.”

Looking ahead, Manchester United will face Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 7, while Fulham return to Craven Cottage to host Everton the same day. Both teams have much to ponder—United, on the back of a thrilling resurgence under Carrick, and Fulham, still seeking to turn promising performances into points.

As the dust settles on another classic at the Theatre of Dreams, one thing is clear: United’s knack for late, dramatic victories is alive and well, even amid off-field turmoil. The Premier League’s top four race is heating up, and with Carrick’s side showing both grit and flair, the story of their season is far from finished.