Manchester United produced an encouraging performance for the second successive week but remain winless after Emile Smith Rowe came off the bench to earn Fulham a point at Craven Cottage.
The visitors replicated their enterprising display against Arsenal last week but some familiar shortcomings prevented them from picking up a morale-boosting victory.
An own goal from Rodrigo Muniz – allowed to stand despite Leny Yoro clearly shoving Calvin Bassey in the back with two hands – put United in front after 58 minutes but they couldn’t hold on and Smith Rowe made them pay by prodding home the equaliser with 17 minutes to go.
United captain Bruno Fernandes also missed a first-half penalty as Ruben Amorim’s side failed to capitalise on a host of opportunities.
The new-look front three of Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha caused problems early on for Fulham and the visitors could have gone ahead after two minutes.
Good work from Patrick Dorgu and Mount enabled Cunha to work half a yard of space inside the box and he was unlucky to see his poked shot come back off the right-hand upright.
Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno then distinguished himself with a smart save from a Fernandes shot as United continued to look a threat going forward.
Fulham weren’t just sitting back though and the next chance in an entertaining opening half hour fell their way with Altay Bayindir – again preferred to Andre Onana in goal – having to get out quickly to block Josh King’s effort with his feet.
Leno reserved his best save for the 14th minute, however. A long ball from Bayindir was superbly controlled by Cunha and his shot was heading for the corner only for the German to stick out his left hand to divert the ball past the post.
Bayindir was also busy and he did well to get down to keep out a volley from Alex Iwobi after United could only partially clear a Fulham corner.
Fernandes squanders chance to score from spot
Fernandes ought to have opened the scoring seven minutes before the break. The penalty was awarded after Bassey was adjudged to have wrestled Mount to the floor when defending a corner with referee Chris Kavanagh pointing to the spot after consulting with the VAR.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes stepped up but lashed his shot well over and into the Hammersmith End.
United’s fortune appeared to have changed when they went in front 13 minutes after the restart.
Mbeumo’s right-wing corner was flicked goalwards by Yoro and went in off the back of Muniz. Fulham rightly protested that Bassey was unable to make a clearance after being shoved by Yoro but the goal stood.
Smith Rowe scores after De Ligt error
Fulham boss Marco Silva responded with a raft of changes, one of which saw Smith Rowe come on, and the former Arsenal man made an impact within six minutes. Diogo Dalot lost possession in the right-back area, Iwobi’s cross was left by Matthijs de Ligt and Smith Rowe pounced.
United almost snatched it late on with Harry Maguire nodding another Mbeumo corner just wide but that would have been harsh on Fulham who deserved a share of the spoils for their second-half performance.
