Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick extended his perfect start to the season when Benjamin Sesko scored in stoppage time to clinch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday. The result marks three straight wins under Carrick, following high-profile successes against Manchester City and league leaders Arsenal, suggesting potential stability for the club's management structure.
United initially led through a first-half header from Casemiro, and Matheus Cunha doubled the advantage early in the second half, putting the home side in apparent command. However, the fixture descended into a thriller as Fulham fought back with an 85th-minute penalty converted by Raul Jimenez, followed by a spectacular equalizer from Kevin in added time.
Carrick’s tactical decision to start Cunha, who scored the previous weekend, paid dividends, though he admitted post-match that the team showed fragility late on, according to reports from Al Jazeera Sports. This run of form has significantly advanced United’s objective of securing a top-four finish, a critical benchmark for the club’s financial outlook next season.
Prior to the match, hundreds of fans staged a protest outside Old Trafford, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the Glazer family's ownership and the perceived chaos surrounding football operations. Protesters claimed the club was "run like a circus," highlighting ongoing governance concerns despite the recent structural changes involving co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
Fulham, noted for their strong form in recent weeks, had a goal controversially disallowed by VAR in the sixty-fifth minute for a marginal offside call, which could have altered the match's trajectory earlier. Despite the setback, their resilience forced United to respond immediately after conceding the late equalizer.
Sesko’s decisive goal, his fourth in his last four appearances, confirmed the win and underscored the immediate positive impact Carrick has had since replacing the previous manager. The sustained success raises questions internally regarding whether the board must consider appointing Carrick permanently beyond his current short-term contract.
United's ability to secure victories in tight contests demonstrates a renewed competitive spirit, contrasting sharply with the inconsistency seen under the previous 14-month tenure of former manager Ruben Amorim. This current momentum is vital for maintaining pressure on rivals in the upper echelon of the league table.
