Late Fernandes goal sees Man Utd edge past Fulham

Bruno Fernandes netted a stoppage-time winner as Manchester United edged to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

After suffering back-to-back 3-0 defeats, Man Utd needed to give a good responce to calm the storm around Old Trafford. 

Less than 10 minutes played, Erik ten hag's men were unlucky not to be ahead after Harry Maguire was judged to be interfering with play from an offside position, even though he didn't touch the ball before Scott McTominay's eighth-minute goal from a free-kick.

As the first half progressed, Fulham gradually found their way into the game, and the visitors' good start faded. 

Diogo Dalot made a good defensive action to deny Harry Wilson's header at the far post from a tempting cross just before the half-hour mark. 

In the first period, the best Manchester United could muster in the first half was a relatively weak, curled shot from Bruno Fernandes from the edge of the area. On the other hand, Wilson and Alex Iwobi missed promising counter-attacking opportunities with off-target shots.

In the second half, with both teams looking more dangerous on the counter-attack, an unchanged Manchester United side created the first good opportunity, but Alejandro Garnacho's shot was deflected and comfortably saved by Bernd Leno. 

As the game opened up, Wilson tested Andre Onana with a long-range shot on the hour mark, and shortly afterward, Joao Palhinha had his powerful strike denied by the Manchester United goalkeeper as Fulham increased their attacking pressure.

With time running out for Manchester United, substitute Facundo Pellistri's shot was easily saved by Bernd Leno, while Fernandes' powerful long-range free-kick posed a tougher test for the Fulham goalkeeper.

The match seemed destined for a goalless draw, but Manchester United's skipper Bruno Fernandes, delivered a crucial goal in stoppage time to relieve the pressure on Ten Hag. 

After various failed attempts for the Fulham defence to put the ball away, the Portuguese midfielder caught the loose ball and curled it beyond Leno from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, sealing a much-needed win to Man Utd.

With this result, the Red Devils move up to sixth place in the Premier League table on 18 points, while Fulham will remain in 14th place.

Next up, Man United will travel to Denmark for a crucial Champions League match with Copenhagen, while Fulham are back in league action away to Aston Villa next weekend.