The unfolding of the match took both sets of supporters by surprise, as Manchester United found themselves trailing 1-0 on the 65th minute following Calvin Bassey’s goal.
However, a glimmer of hope emerged for Erik ten Hag’s side when Harry Maguire slotted home a close-range goal on the 89th minute, hinting at the potential for yet another remarkable comeback at Old Trafford.
Yet, in a twist of fate, the script flipped dramatically as Alex Iwobi struck in the sixth minute of stoppage time, clinching a crucial victory for Fulham, who had persistently tested Andre Onana’s goal with 17 shots throughout the game.
While Manchester United’s performance left much to be desired among their faithful supporters, scrutiny also fell upon ten Hag for one of his substitutions.
At the 80th-minute mark, ten Hag made the decision to replace midfielder Kobbie Mainoo with Amad Diallo in an effort to inject more attacking impetus into United’s lineup.
While some supporters applauded the Dutchman for affording Amad an opportunity, others questioned his choice of player to substitute, particularly considering Casemiro had already been replaced due to injury.
Voices on social media platforms like Twitter echoed the discontent, with one United fan expressing bewilderment: “He subbed out Mainoo for Amad. Bruno was right there…” Another fan echoed similar sentiments, remarking, “I don’t understand this Eriksen sub; he could’ve just kept Mainoo on.”
The decision to withdraw Mainoo, who was perceived as a linchpin in midfield, drew ire from supporters. One fan lamented, “Mainoo is the one holding the midfield, yet he was taken off…” Another supporter voiced frustration: “Every time Mainoo gets subbed early, we lose.” Another fan even recalled Mainoo’s recent match-winning heroics, questioning the wisdom of his substitution: “Swear it was Mainoo who buried a 95th minute winner the other day. Not my choice to be subbed.”
However, amidst the criticism, there were fans who understood ten Hag’s rationale behind the substitution.
One supporter offered a balanced perspective, stating, “I struggle to find fault with the subs; Mainoo can’t play every minute.”
It’s worth noting that ten Hag has previously acknowledged substituting Mainoo to manage his workload, though many fans clearly felt he should have remained on the pitch for the entirety of the game against Fulham.