Manchester United's difficult start to the 2026/27 Premier League season continued on Sunday as Matheus Cunha scored a dramatic late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Michael Carrick's side now have just five points from their opening five league matches, their worst start since 2014, increasing scrutiny on the manager ahead of a demanding run of fixtures after the international break.
Michael Carrick may not want to call it a crisis, but Manchester United has seen scary numbers that are making that argument increasingly difficult to ignore.
Matheus Cunha’s 89th-minute equaliser rescued United from another damaging defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, ending a run of back-to-back losses and preventing what would have been a third consecutive defeat.
Instead of leaving west London empty-handed, United escaped with a 1-1 draw but one point did little to disguise the bigger problem.
United now have five points from their opening five Premier League games, their worst start to a league season since 2014, leaving them 12th in the table.
For Carrick, the international break now arrives with more questions than answers.
Matheus Cunha Scores Late Equalizer as Manchester United Draw With Fulham
United looked set for another miserable afternoon when Lisandro Martínez inadvertently put Fulham ahead in the second half.
Fulham had already begun to look sharper and more energetic after the interval, with United struggling to impose themselves on the game.
Cunha eventually provided the escape route.
The Brazilian moved into space and fired from outside the box, with the effort taking a huge deflection off David Affengruber before wrong-footing Bernd Leno and finding the net.
It was not the cleanest equaliser, but United desperately needed something to stop the slide.
After defeats against Manchester City and Brighton, another loss would have intensified the pressure surrounding Carrick.
Instead, Cunha's late intervention stopped the bleeding at least temporarily.
‘It’s Not Been Ideal’ - Carrick
Carrick admitted United's start has fallen below expectations but rejected the idea that he is becoming increasingly concerned.
"It's not been ideal," Carrick admitted.
"I know we can do better, we need to do better at certain things, but at the same time, I'm not despondent and down because I think we're showing some good signs as well."
"I'm not playing it down. We wanted more points from it."
The problem is that United have struggled to turn those positive signs into results.
Five points from five matches leaves little room for celebration, particularly after a run of fixtures that appeared manageable before the season began.
Michael Carrick Rejects Fitness Concerns After Fulham Draw
Another issue has emerged from United's performances: their physical output.
Fulham's players covered around six kilometres more than United's players during the match, while there were periods when the home side appeared quicker and sharper.
Cunha himself suggested Fulham had "put in more energy" at the start of the second half.
Carrick, however, rejected the suggestion that fitness is responsible for United's problems.
"It didn't look like that to me," Carrick said after being asked about Cunha's assessment.
"I was quite happy with the way we finished the game."
"I thought we finished the game really strongly actually and we kept pushing."
"So I don't think that's an issue, no."
He later reinforced the point.
"It didn't look like that for me," he argued.
"I was quite happy with the way we finished the game. I thought we finished the game really strong actually, and kept pushing."
"So I don't think that's an issue, no."
Can Manchester United Recover From Their Worst Start Since 2014?
There was at least one positive for Carrick.
With Fulham leading and appearing capable of holding on for their first league win of the season, United finally found another gear.
Cunha, who had struggled to make an impact as a No. 9, looked more dangerous after moving to the left.
His eventual equaliser gave United something to take home and demonstrated the players' ability to respond when the game appeared to be slipping away.
"That's a big thing, but without getting carried away with it because we've taken a point and we wanted to win," Carrick said.
"Definitely today it could have gone in a different direction -- 100% it could."
"I was really pleased with the response, and I think that'll help us a lot moving forward."
That response could prove important but United's bigger challenge is producing it consistently.
The Fulham Penalty Debate
United also appealed for a penalty when Martínez fired the ball at Calvin Bassey from close range and it struck the Fulham defender's arm.
Referee Peter Bankes waved away the appeals, while VAR Nick Hopton reviewed the incident and backed the on-field decision.
The reasoning was that the ball was struck from close range, Bassey's arms were close to his body and within his natural body line.
The incident was therefore deemed not to constitute a handball offence.
For United, it was another frustrating moment, but the decision was judged to be correct under the interpretation of the handball law.
The Bigger VAR Controversy Came Against City
United had already been involved in a more contentious VAR incident during their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Erling Haaland's goal initially appeared likely to be ruled out for offside, but a lengthy VAR review overturned the on-field decision.
Semi-automated technology showed Haaland himself was onside when the ball was played.
The more contentious question involved Enzo Fernández, who was in an offside position and in front of Lisandro Martínez.
The VAR determined that Fernández had not interfered with play or affected Martínez sufficiently to constitute an offside offence.
However, the assessment supplied with the match analysis judged that decision to be incorrect.
The factual part of the review (Haaland being onside) was correct, but the subjective decision over Fernández's impact on Martínez was where the error was identified.
That incident added another layer of frustration to a season that has already become difficult for United.
Are Manchester United in Crisis After Five Points From Five Premier League Games?
The word "crisis" remains a matter of interpretation, but the evidence of a serious early-season problem is clear.
United have five points from five Premier League matches, sit 12th and have already suffered damaging defeats while also being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Brighton.
They have also struggled physically in spells, conceded poor goals and produced performances that have drawn severe criticism.
At the same time, the players have shown some ability to respond.
Cunha's late goal prevented another defeat against Fulham, while Carrick believes the reaction can become part of the team's development.
"That's a big thing, without getting carried away with it, because we've taken a point and we wanted to win, but it's part of learning as a group," said Carrick.
"How we respond, what it looks like moving forward, what our reaction is, all that. That's part of growing as a group."
"Definitely today it could have gone in a different direction -- 100% it could have."
"I was really pleased with the response and I think that'll help us a lot moving forward."
Manchester United's 2026/27 Premier League Record
- Position: 12th
- Matches Played: 5
- Wins: 1
- Draws: 2
- Losses: 2
- Points: 5
- Goals Scored: 8
- Goals Conceded: 8
- Goal Difference: 0
The Break Could Change Everything
Manchester United return from the international break knowing improvement is required. With just five points from five Premier League matches and difficult fixtures.
They face Tottenham before trips to Atletico Madrid, Leeds and Como across nine days in October.
- Bournemouth,
- Chelsea,
- Roma, and
- Aston Villa
With Liverpool match approaching, Michael Carrick's side must quickly find consistency if they are to climb the Premier League table and silence growing concerns about their start to the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Manchester United struggling this season?
Manchester United have won only one of their opening five Premier League matches and currently sit 12th in the table. Defensive mistakes, inconsistent performances and disappointing results have increased pressure on Michael Carrick.
How many points do Manchester United have after five games?
United have collected five points from their first five Premier League matches of the 2026/27 season.
Who scored for Manchester United against Fulham?
Matheus Cunha scored a late equalizer in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Is Michael Carrick under pressure at Manchester United?
Carrick has faced increasing scrutiny following United's poor start, although he insists the team is showing positive signs despite disappointing results.
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