Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Fulham on the final day of the season secured their third-place finish in the Premier League.
The Red Devils weren’t at their very best and the FA Cup final seemed to be on Erik ten Hag’s mind with his team selection, but it was a deserved win, as Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes scored the decisive goals.
It was a quiet start at Old Trafford, with an Aleksandar Mitrovic header that looped over and Marcus Rashford’s powerful free-kick that Bernd Leno tipped away, the only chances in the opening 15 minutes.
But in the 19th minute it was Fulham who took via a Kenny Tete header from a corner. The full-back found too much space at the near post and got to the ball just ahead of Rashford, to nod the visitors in the team.
It could have been two soon after as Casemiro’s trip on Tom Cairney in the box gave referee Robert Jones no option but to point to the spot. Mitrovic stepped up and slotted the ball towards the bottom corner, but David de Gea managed to get a big hand to the ball and pushed it wide.
That sparked United into life, with Rashford shooting wide from distance, before Garnacho went close with a shot inside the area. The winger was starting to have more of an influence on the game and was inches away from getting United on level terms, but his side-foot effort hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out. The Argentine also went close on 38 minutes, while Casemiro hit the side netting.
Yet United’s dominance was rewarded soon after as Sancho poked the ball past Leno to level the score. It was Fred who set up the goal as he weaved his way into the box, causing panic in the Fulham defence. Tete did manage to get a toe on the ball but only succeeding in diverting it into the path of Sancho, who gratefully tapped into the net from a few yards out.
The half ended with Bruno Fernandes heading over and Diogo Dalot seeing his shot saved by Leno.
The second period began in the similar pattern and Rashford was close to putting United into the lead as he latched onto Casemiro’s long ball in behind, but the attacker flicked the ball just wide.
And on 55 minutes the Red Devils netted a second as Fred picked out the run of Fernandes and, bearing down on goal, United’s no.18 pretended to round Leno, before chipping the ball over the Fulham keeper and into the goal.
Fernandes’ shot was saved soon after, while Rashford also tested the ex-Arsenal stopper with a left-foot strike he probably should have done better with. It was Fulham who ended the game slightly stronger and Scott McTominay managed to get a toe to the ball to stop Tom Cairney having a clean strike at goal, before Manor Solomon’s effort was then saved by De Gea.
Wout Weghorst had the final chance of note from Sancho’s cross towards the back post, but the striker failed to get his shot on target from just a few yards out.
Here’s how we rated the United players..
1. David de Gea- 7
Made a great save to deny Mitrovic’s penalty and had a relatively quiet afternoon.
2. Diogo Dalot- 7
Solid on the right flank for United and pushed forward to help contribute to the team’s attacks.
3. Harry Maguire- 6
Enjoyed the battle against Mitrovic and Maguire put in some well-timed tackles. the defender did give the ball away on a few occasions, however.
4. Victor Lindelof- 6
Good in possession and looked to regularly drive out from the back.