Manchester United produced a stunning 3-2 win over Fulham in a thrilling Premier League match at Old Trafford.
Published February 1, 2026
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick got the side off to a perfect start on Sunday with Benjamin Sesco’s stoppage-time goal clinching a 3-2 win against Fulham.
United took the lead in the first half through Casemiro’s header and looked to have taken control when Matheus Cunha scored after the interval at Old Trafford.
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In an incredible finale, Raul Jimenez’s penalty with five minutes remaining gave Fulham hope, before Kevin’s wonder goal in stoppage time put the visitors level.
To United’s immense credit, the much-maligned Sesco’s fourth goal in four games put them squarely back and sealed Carrick’s third successive win.
The remarkable encounter suggested the former United midfielder may have the Midas touch after new manager Carrick engineered surprise wins over Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal.
United are unbeaten in their last seven league games and have moved into fourth place as they look to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Playing in the Champions League would be a major statement for Carrick, who was sacked from second-tier Middlesbrough last year.
During former manager Ruben Amorim’s turbulent 14-month reign, United only won three in a row once. And Carrick matched that performance within a few weeks of taking over and ending the season.
United bosses may need to consider making Carrick a permanent player if he can continue his impressive form.
Whether that will be enough to placate the Manchester United fans in 1958 is another question, as they staged a protest against the owners outside Old Trafford before kick-off.
Hundreds of fans, some wearing clown masks, gathered to express their frustration at United’s decline under the Glazer family and the lack of improvement since co-owner Jim Ratcliffe took charge of football operations.
The group claimed United had been “dragged into chaos by clown ownership” and “run like a circus”.
Fans chanted chants and held banners against the owners as flares filled the air at Sir Matt Busby Way.
When the smoke cleared, Carrick’s instincts paid off when he inserted Cunha into the starting lineup in place of the injured Patrick Dorg after the Brazilian scored the winning goal against Arsenal last weekend.
Only Arsenal have picked up more points than in-form Fulham in their last eight games, but United have found a formula to end their spell.
United thought they had won a penalty for Jorge Cuenca’s foul on Cunha.
However, a VAR check revealed that the attack took place outside the area.
It was only a temporary reprieve for Fulham, as United took the lead with a free-kick in the 19th minute.
Bruno Fernandes fired at the far post and Casemiro rose highest to fire a towering header past Bernd Leno.
United hit back again in the 56th minute with Cunha’s sixth goal of the season.
Casemiro’s deft no-look pass found Cunha inside the Fulham area, and he fired a superb finish past Leno from an acute angle, creating a Brazilian goal.
Fulham’s life was cut short when Cuenca’s goal in the 65th minute was disallowed by VAR, causing controversy.
Samuel Chukwueze was narrowly ruled offside when he converted Jimenez’s free-kick for Cuenca.
However, United wobbled and Jimenez converted a penalty in the 85th minute after the Mexican was fouled by Harry Maguire.
United looked to be falling apart in stoppage time when Kevin cut in from the right and curled a stunning shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.
Two minutes after Kevin’s equalizer, United showed their determination as Sesco received a pass from Fernandes and slotted home from 12 yards, sparking wild celebrations.
