Cunha admits United rely on 'crazy moments' after late equaliser rescues draw at Fulham

Matheus Cunha rescued a point for Manchester United with a deflected effort in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage on Sunday, levelling after Fulham’s own-goal had given the hosts the lead in a 1-1 Premier League draw that left the visitors with plenty to reflect on.

United were fortunate to reach half-time level, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens making four saves in the first half alone and a further two after the break before finally being beaten around the hour mark. Gary Neville, on commentary duty, did not hold back: “I’ve watched Manchester United since I was five, and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen them play. Absolutely pathetic.”

Cunha pushed back on the idea that it was a poor overall performance, arguing that United created enough to win. “I think, to be honest, I don’t feel like it was a bad performance. I feel like we created a lot of things,” he said. “Maybe if we score more goals, everything could be easier, and then we finish with three points, everyone is happy. But that’s part of the game also.”

He did, however, concede that United surrendered control for roughly 20 minutes — the spell in which Fulham scored — and that the team’s best work only came once their backs were against the wall. “In the beginning, we try to feel calmer, to do things with good decisions. But in the end, we feel like we need to do it and then we just do it,” Cunha explained.

The Brazilian framed that late-game intensity as part of United’s identity, while acknowledging it cannot remain the only gear available to them. “I feel like this kind of energy to do it, a little bit crazy moments, is kind of the spirit of the team and then we do well. But of course, we need to try to improve, to have this energy, these kinds of crazy moments. At the same time, we need to have a little bit more calm in the decisions. And then I think if we mix these two things, we improve much more.”

The result leaves United with just five points from five league fixtures against Hull City, Ipswich Town, Everton, Manchester City, and Fulham — a return that underlines the scale of the challenge facing the club. They return from the September international break with a home fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.