Club who used to inspire fear now inspire pity and the head coach, with no credit in the bank, needs a victory at Fulham
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ncouraging signs. Gimmers of promises. Green shoots. It is indicative of just how far Manchester United have sunk that the reaction to their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last Sunday was not shock or scorn or even schadenfreude; it was encouragement. United used to inspire fear in opponents; now they inspire pity.
It is not that there were no reasons for optimism for United. The new forwards who started, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, looked intermittently dangerous. Mason Mount offered a reminder of his quality and if he can stay fit he could have a major role to play. Patrick Dorgu dominated his flank. Amad Diallo sparkled after coming off the bench. David Raya was forced to make seven saves. Dorgu hit a post. There were plausible claims for a penalty when William Saliba appeared to go through the back of Cunha. Opta’s xG model had United winning 1.5 to 1.3.
Fans looking for crumbs of comfort could have found enough to make a decent meal for a small bird. After months of United being terrible, they looked OK. But they still lost. Already they are three points behind the leaders and, given the context, there is inevitably already pressure. It is probably just as well they face Fulham away on Sunday, because Fulham away is as near to a sure thing as there is for United these days. Not since 2009 have Fulham beaten Manchester United at home. They have managed one draw in the nine games. Craven Cottage is the one ground where United can feel safe, a time capsule in which Alex Ferguson still glowers from the dugout, Roy Keane still dominates the midfield and Ryan Giggs still speeds down the wing.
