Fulham pulled off a stunning upset against Manchester United, the reigning champions of the FA Cup, claiming victory through a dramatic shoot-out after the fifth-round tie ended 1-1 at Old Trafford on March 2, 2025. The match showcased Fulham's resilience and determination as they outplayed the struggling United side, leaving the hosts to contemplate another rough chapter amid their dismal season.
Manchester United opened the match grappling with pressure after suffering recent setbacks, including disappointing performances and cuts to personnel. The visitors, under manager Ruben Amorim, initially struggled to find cohesion but executed their game strategy effectively, leading to the opening goal just before half-time.
Calvin Bassey scored for Fulham, capitalizing on United's defensive miscommunication at a corner kick. His header, flicked on by Rodrigo Muniz, sent shock waves through the home crowd. Slumped and booed off at halftime, United faced mounting anxiety as they sat 0-1 down.
After the break, United surged back with renewed energy, spearheaded by Bruno Fernandes. The captain turned the tide when he equalized at the 71st minute, expertly slotting home from inside the box after receiving Diogo Dalot's cross. This moment ignited hope among the United faithful, temporarily masking the underlying issues plaguing the squad.
“It’s hard. We had the best chances in the game but, in the end, the penalties can go both ways, and today it was not our day,” Amorim reflected post-match. Despite this setback, he reaffirmed the commitment to return to success, stating, “The goal is to win the Premier League, but I don’t know how long it will take.”
After the 90 minutes and subsequent extra time concluded with no additional goals, the match proceeded to penalties. Eager to prove themselves, Fulham ace Bernd Leno stood firm, the focal point of their chances at redemption. Leno had been instrumental throughout the match, earning the moniker of the evening’s hero by saving two penalties during the shoot-out. Alongside him, players Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian, and Antonee Robinson converted all their attempts successfully.
When Leno saved Victor Lindelof’s effort, it put Manchester United's last hope riding on Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman's hesitant shot was no match for Leno’s acrobatics, sealing Fulham's passage to the quarter-finals amid wild celebrations from the visiting supporters.
“Unbelievable,” exclaimed Leno after the match. “I think we deserved to win after 90 minutes. Of course, penalties can be a lottery, and luckily we won. Our penalty takers did brilliant jobs, and it’s not easy to execute.”
The loss for Manchester United marks yet another low point; previously celebrated as FA Cup winners just the year before, they faced calling cards of discontent from their supporters. With chants directed at the Glazer family and frustrations over ticket pricing echoing through the stands, the atmosphere turned hostile.
Manager Amorim's arrival last November as Erik ten Hag’s replacement hasn’t materialized the desired results, spiraling United to the unfamiliar depths of 14th place within the Premier League. They now face the grim reality of chasing continental hopes through the Europa League.
Fulham's exhilarating victory propels them toward potential glory, as their next challenge awaits against Crystal Palace. Manager Marco Silva maintained confidence about their status, noting, “I think we were the best team on the pitch. We deserve to be in the next stage.”
Their aspiration to reach the FA Cup final again, last achieved back in 1975, tells the tale of their hunger to write new chapters of success.
This victory resonates deeply, constructing narratives of determination, effort, and the sheer unpredictability of cup football, much to the delight of Fulham's passionate followers.