Manchester United were eliminated from the FA Cup after suffering defeat at the hands of Fulham in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after regular time, with United's Bruno Fernandes equalizing following Calvin Bassey's opening goal for Fulham.
Andre Onana had some nervy moments throughout the match but managed to make important saves, including one against Emile Smith Rowe during stoppage time, keeping United’s hopes alive. His performance, rated at 6, saw him unable to prevent Bassey's header from entering the net, which seemed to put the Red Devils on the back foot early on.
Defensively, Matthijs de Ligt stood out with an 8 score, showing solid defensive capabilities and effective passing. He was instrumental but was eventually overshadowed by United's offensive struggles. Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro both contributed average performances, each rated at 6, before Maguire left the pitch due to injury.
Fulham's midfield displayed resilience, with Manuel Ugarte earning a 7 for his efforts. His battles against United’s midfielders allowed his team to stay competitive, particularly against Bruno Fernandes, who has been pivotal for Manchester United throughout the season.
Fernandes, rated as the top performer at 8.5, struck to draw United level, showing his importance once again with his involvement across matches this season, contributing to 11 goals over the last 11 FA Cup appearances. Diogo Dalot also had significant moments, assisting Fernandes' equalizer with his positional awareness and contribution to both defense and attack, rounding off at 7.
Joshua Zirkzee, unfortunately, had one of the most challenging outings as he not only struggled during regular time but also missed his decisive penalty. His performance was rated at 5, prompting fans and analysts to question his readiness at this level. Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund's struggles continued, as he earned just 3 points after failing to capitalize on potential scoring opportunities.
Substitutes like Alejandro Garnacho managed to add fresh energy, getting involved immediately after coming off the bench, but the team’s overall attacking strategy appeared uncoordinated and gave Fulham license to thrive defensively.
Fulham, experiencing their historical first win against United at this stage of the FA Cup, celebrated fervently after Joshua Zirkzee’s penalty miss. The team piled on each other, expressing joy and relief, marking their advancement to the quarter-finals.
Manager Marco Silva has been key to Fulham's success this season, and the victory over the defending champions puts them just two games away from potential silverware. Silva's tactics proved effective against the misfiring United, capitalizing on their weaknesses and maintaining defensive stability.
Prior to this match, Manchester United had progressed from their last nine FA Cup ties against Fulham, but all of this history seemingly meant little on the day. The Red Devils had also only lost one of their last 21 encounters against Fulham across all competitions, reinforcing their previously dominant position. Yet, this time it was Fulham celebrating as they avenged past defeats.
Fulham’s goalscorer, Calvin Bassey, opened the scoring with a well-placed header, setting the tone early on and establishing confidence within his squad. His name will surely echo for this significant win.
For United, the result leaves many questions about their performance and direction as they move forward this season. Coach Ruben Amorim faces the task of rejuvenation as he tries to unite his side under mounting criticism and mixed results from the season so far.
Despite winning their previous home game against Ipswich, Manchester United still exhibited signs of chaos and lack of cohesion on the field, evident during key moments against Fulham throughout this encounter. The penalty shootout exemplified this lack of calm under pressure, where Fulham's Bernd Leno became the hero by saving two penalties.
With Fulham now aiming for greater significance within English football, this win could mark the beginning of defining moments for the club under Silva’s management. Fans and commentators alike will be keeping close attention on their upcoming matches as they pursue their first major trophy.
The FA Cup remains one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments, and both teams had taken steps to showcase their ambitions this season. Yet, it was Fulham who claimed the glory this time, leaving Manchester United with much to contemplate about their future endeavors.