Manchester United clinched a narrow 1-0 victory against Fulham in a Premier League fixture at Craven Cottage, marking their first league win under new manager Ruben Amorim. The match, played on a brisk evening, featured limited scoring opportunities with only 13 shots registered between both teams. Lisandro Martinez emerged as the hero for Manchester United, scoring the winning goal through a deflected shot in the first half. The win elevated Manchester United to 12th place in the Premier League standings, while Fulham maintained their position at 10th despite the loss.
The match unfolded with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Fulham, hosting at Craven Cottage, failed to register a single shot on target until the 42nd minute. Manchester United capitalized on their opportunity when Martinez's shot deflected off Fulham's Sasa Lukic, looping over the goalkeeper and into the net. This goal proved pivotal in a contest that saw minimal offensive output, setting a record for the lowest total shots in a Premier League match this season.
"It was cruel for us, the result. The first half clearly we were the team that had more of the control, to start on the front foot. We created enough chances to score in the first half. I don't remember one danger moment from them during the first half."
Origin: Ruben Amorim
Fulham's manager expressed his disappointment post-match, feeling that his team held more control during the initial stages of the game. Despite their possession, Fulham struggled to break through Manchester United's defense and capitalize on their opportunities.
Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, acknowledged the significance of the win for his team. The victory not only lifted team morale but also marked a turning point for Amorim, who had previously faced challenges in securing league victories.
"It's a good day for us. It was not a great performance and we can see it but we fight for the win, we gave some time to the team to understand the game, to have that bit of luck you need sometimes to win a football match. A clean sheet. Let's take this feeling to the next game."
Origin: Ruben Amorim
The match witnessed a few moments of tension, particularly towards its conclusion. Toby Collyer made a crucial defensive intervention for Manchester United by heading off the line to deny Fulham an equalizer in the 89th minute. Meanwhile, Rodrigo Muniz had a golden opportunity to level for Fulham in stoppage time, only to blast over from six yards out.
Further drama unfolded when Amad Diallo's potential goal was ruled out by VAR due to an offside call, adding to the evening's narrative of missed opportunities and tight margins.
Despite their efforts, Fulham could not break through Manchester United's resolute defense and secure any points from the fixture. The loss did not impact their league standing as they remained 10th on the table.
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