Gary Neville didn’t hold back in his assessment of Manchester United’s display against Fulham.
The Red Devils salvaged a late point thanks to a deflected strike from Matheus Cunha, but ultimately ended matchweek five in 12th place.
Manchester United are LEVEL! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DCxwlrzf1M
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 20, 2026
United held to a draw by winless Fulham
United have claimed just five points from their opening five fixtures, so there will be much to dwell on for Michael Carrick and his staff over the three-week international break.
Had Fulham got the win over the line, nobody could’ve argued that they didn’t deserve it.
"For some reason in some moments they accept the speed of a charity game and that's shocking" 😳
Louis Saha's immediate reaction to Man Utd's performance against Fulham 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/wKyfpNwaTm
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 20, 2026
After they opened the scoring via a Lisandro Martinez own-goal shortly after the interval, Neville said on Sky Sports’ live coverage: “I’ve watched Man United since the age of five, and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen.
“Absolutely pathetic. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Carrick be thinking?”
Why Carrick is now feeling the heat
Much to Carrick’s dismay, pressure is now already mounting on his shoulders just over a month into the campaign.
5 – With five points, this is Manchester United's joint-lowest tally after five games of a Premier League season, also picking up five in 2014-15.
Sluggish. pic.twitter.com/UZTBWRpGnm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2026
Yet, he would have every right to feel aggrieved at how INEOS handled the transfer window.
While they did fulfil their promise of rebuilding the midfield with three new additions, the only other signing made to bolster the squad ahead of their return to the Champions League was 35-year-old Karl Darlow, who was only brought in to play second fiddle to Senne Lammens.
Club chiefs opting against reinforcing the full-back department means Luke Shaw, United’s most injury-prone player of the last decade, is the only out-and-out left-back in the side since Patrick Dorgu switched to a more attacking role over the last year.
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