Manchester United player ratings: 'Heroic' 8/10 stars but 4/10 could lose his place after poor Fulham display
Man Utd player ratings from the FA Cup penalty shootout defeat to Fulham.
Matthijs de Ligt and Bruno Fernandes shone as Manchester United were defeated by Fulham on penalties quarter-finals in the FA Cup fifth round. Ruben Amorim named two changes to his starting line up with Christian Eriksen and Noussair Mazraoui selected in place of Alejandro Garnacho and Patrick Dorgu.
United took control of the match from the start and went close when Rasmus Hojlund drilled an effort wide of goal. Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes both tested Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in what was a dull first-half performance, while Sasa Lukic headed over with a poor header inside the box.
It looked like they would go in level but United invariably found a way to concede when Calvin Bassey headed in from a corner routine to give Fulham the lead on the stroke of half-time. Amorim did not turn to his bench at the break but waited just a matter of minutes before he eventually brought on Victor Lindelof and Alejandro Garnacho to the delight of the home crowd.
Fernandes was the catalyst of United’s last two comeback performances, and he proved to be the talisman again when he drew United level with a fine finish from the edge of the box after a clever cross from Diogo Dalot. In a frantic end to normal time, Alejandro Garnacho fired straight at Leno from close range while Chido Obi poked the ball wide from close range with what would have been the last kick of the match.
United were the better side in extra time as well and could have taken the lead when Obi saw an effort saved by Leno but there was to be no way through for either side before a penalty shootout that saw Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee both denied. Here is how we rated United players in the loss.
Manchester United player ratings vs Fulham
Andre Onana - 6
A few shaky moments when collecting the ball, though it was at least an improvement on his midweek display. Guilty of some poor distribution but made a couple of big saves to redeem himself.
Matthijs de Ligt - 8
An excellent performance. He read the game well and played some good sweeping passes from the back to build attacks. An emphatic tackle on Andreas Pereira in the box proved to be a huge moment in the match. He fought on heroically when running on empty.
Harry Maguire - 6
He did his job well enough defensively against Rodrigo Muniz. He’s been much better since the switch to a back three before he was forced off.
Leny Yoro - 5
Good recovery work against Adama Traore and Andreas Pereira. It felt like a harsh decision to replace him so early into the second-half.
Noussair Mazraoui - 5
Played well enough before he was bullied by Calvin Bassey for the Fulham goal. It’s clear he is not as effective at wing-back as he is a centre-back.
Manuel Ugarte - 4
A few good moments to break up play, but he picked up a booking that will see him miss the next FA Cup tie. No complaints when he was hooked for Alejandro Garnacho.
Bruno Fernandes - 7
The catalyst for a United comeback for the third game in a row. He covered a lot of ground and drew his side level with a sweet strike. A few careless long balls that lost possession for his team.
Diogo Dalot - 5
Got forward more than usual but did little with the ball in the final third. Redeemed himself with a clever cross to find Fernandes, but is still didn’t mask a poor performance. He has now scored six penalties from six.
Christian Eriksen - 6
A few sloppy passes, but he always looked to make something happen. A reminder of what he can still offer in his final months at the club.
Joshua Zirkzee - 6
He’s got a new position as one of the attacking midfielders in Amorim’s system and linked up play well again. He did tremendously to set-up Garnacho for a late chance and worked his socks off again. Missed his penalty.
Rasmus Hojlund - 4
He started the game well but then regressed. Some decent movement until he was bullied off the ball and lost confidence. He could lose his starting role to Obi soon.
Substitutes shine
Victor Lindelof - 5
It was an odd decision to bring him on in place of Leny Yoro, and he looked an awkward fit on the left side of the back three. He played better when he moved into a central role. A poor penalty in the shootout.
Alejandro Garnacho - 5
You can’t fault his work ethic. He wasted a good couple of chances to win the game and looked to be lacking match sharpness after his recent injury knock.
Casemiro - 7
United had an improved midfield with him on the pitch, and it allowed Bruno Fernandes to push higher up the pitch. Some good passes from deep, and he linked play up nicely.
Chido Obi - 7
It was good to see him given another go, and he offered more than Rasmus Hojlund did in the attack. The only real criticism is that he should have scored the chances that fell his way.
Ayden Heaven - 6
A difficult match to make his debut, but he did well given the circumstance. He could get further chances in the weeks ahead after an injury scare to Harry Maguire.