Manchester United has been eliminated from the FA Cup after suffering a dramatic defeat against Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday. The fifth-round tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, but Fulham triumphed 4-3 on penalties, marking their first FA Cup victory over Manchester United since 1908.
Head coach Ruben Amorim confirmed his starting eleven earlier, making two changes from the previous Premier League match against Ipswich Town. Noussair Mazraoui replaced Patrick Dorgu, who was suspended, and Christian Eriksen started instead of Alejandro Garnacho, who was nursing an injury. The substitution depth was limited, with only seven players on the bench, including two academy goalkeepers.
Fulham's manager, Marco Silva, made similar changes, bringing Alex Iwobi, Antonee Robinson, and Calvin Bassey back to the starting lineup after their recent victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Fulham struck first just before halftime. A corner taken by Andreas Pereira found Rodrigo Muniz, who flicked it on to Calvin Bassey, who scored with a header at the far post. This goal came against the run of play, as Manchester United had several opportunities but failed to capitalize. Rasmus Hojlund had one of United’s best chances but turned his effort wide before Eriksen forced Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno to make a save.
Under pressure, United responded after halftime. Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench and quickly made his mark by assisting Bruno Fernandes, who finished off Diogo Dalot’s cross with precision to equalize.
The match was characterized by lackluster performances from both sides, with chances few and far between. Despite United’s persistence, they could not secure the win within the allotted time, leading to penalties to decide the outcome.
During the shootout, Leno emerged as the hero for Fulham, saving penalties from both Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee. Despite Fernandes scoring the opening penalty for United, his teammates faltered, leading to Fulham's progression.
After the match, Amorim expressed disappointment but maintained his focus on the Premier League, stating, "The goal is to win the Premier League again. I don't know how long it will take, but we continue forward no matter what." He noted the fatigue of his players and emphasized the need for recovery before their next match against Arsenal.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey expressed joy at the team's victory, calling it "a privilege" to play at Old Trafford and highlighting the team's ability to handle pressure, especially during the penalties. He stated, "They're a very good team with a lot of talent. We tried to take the sting out of the game and control possession. This is just the start; we want to go to Wembley."
Silva echoed Bassey’s sentiments, saying, “We sorted some things and did much, much, much, much of our identity.” He praised his team for their bravery and composure, particularly noting the improvement from their earlier matches.
The match drew attention not only for the teams’ performances but also the historical significance of Fulham’s win; it was their first victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford since 1962, and it marks Fulham's persistence and growth within the league this season.
This result adds pressure on United, who are struggling significantly this season, currently sitting 14th in the league. Fans and pundits alike are questioning whether Amorim’s side can mount any serious challenge for silverware this season.
Fulham, meanwhile, eyes their potential quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace, feeling buoyed by their victory against the defending champions. They are pushing for European qualification and may view this win as a significant stepping stone toward ambitious goals.
Manchester United’s FA Cup campaign ended prematurely, leaving the team with only the Premier League and Europa League to focus on as they search for redemption after what has been described as one of the toughest seasons at Old Trafford.
Overall, the match was emblematic of Manchester United's struggles this season, juxtaposed against Fulham's ascent, highlighting the shifting dynamics within English football.