Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has urged his team to improve after what he described as a “lucky” 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage. While the three points were welcome, the performance left much to be desired, with Fulham threatening to overturn the result on several occasions.
“Today was not our best performance, and we have to admit that luck played a part,” Amorim said in his post-match comments. “Fulham put us under pressure, and we didn’t show the dominance or consistency I expect from my players.”
The match was decided in dramatic fashion, with Bruno Fernandes converting a penalty late in the game. While the result was crucial for United’s campaign, the team’s disjointed display, particularly in midfield and attack, has raised concerns about their ability to compete with stronger opponents.
Manchester United’s backline was tested repeatedly by Fulham, with goalkeeper Andre Onana making several crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay. Fulham’s forward line, led by Willian and Raul Jimenez, exposed gaps in United’s defense, highlighting vulnerabilities that could cost them against more clinical teams.
Amorim admitted that improvements are necessary to tighten the defense. “We gave them too much space, especially on the wings. Our efensive organization needs work, and we must be more compact as a team.
In attack, United struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Despite the presence of attacking talents like Marcus Rashford and Antony, the team’s buildup play lacked cohesion and precision. Fulham’s organized defense neutralized United for much of the match, leaving Amorim frustrated.
“We need to be more creative and decisive in the final third,”Amorim said. “The players must take responsibility and show more composure when it matters most.”
The result lifts Manchester United further up the Premier League table, but Amorim stressed that performances like this are unsustainable in the long term.This is the Premier Legue small margins decide games, but we cannot keep relying on luck or last-minute moments. We must play better, work harder, and dominate matches from start to finish,” he added.
Looking ahead, United faces a challenging run of fixtures, with games against top-six rivals looming. Amorim’s message to his players was clear: “If we want to achieve our goals this season, every player must step up. Consistency and intensity will be key.”
Fans will hope the team can build on the result and deliver more convincing performances as the season progresses.
