Bernd Leno played the spoiler role in FA Cup penalties on Sunday, making two saves to send holders Manchester United out of the tournament at Old Trafford.
The sides played 1-1 through 120 minutes, as Calvin Bassey and Bruno Fernandes traded goals in Manchester.
MORE — Amorim speaks on FA Cup exit | List of FA Cup finals, winners
United converted all of their penalties, while Leno saved Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee to seal the deal.
Fulham enter the quarterfinal draw while United’s down to only one trophy hope this season: The Europa League.
Manchester United’s substandard attack corps laid bare again
Take away Bruno Fernandes and it’s almost undebatable that injuries and loans have left Manchester United’s group of attackers as one of the poorest in the league. Amad Diallo’s absence is screaming from the team and with respect to the player he should never be that level of loss to an Old Trafford team. Joshua Zirkzee is improving in comfort but still not there while Rasmus Hojlund’s confidence is about as low as possible. Alejandro Garnacho is young and dangerous but too one-dimensional at this stage of his career — it’s go-go-go and little else outside of possession. Fernandes has created more chances in Premier League play than anyone outside of Cole Palmer, Mohamed Salah, and Dejan Kulusevski. But United’s 33 goals scored this season is a pathetic total. Only five teams have scored fewer goals in PL play, and it’s likely going to cost them a legitimate chance at the Europa League just as it’s cost them two domestic tournaments and, probably, any hope of a return to Europe. No, Amorim’s formation doesn’t help as it leans heavy on having high-danger men up top, but the players do so little with so much.
Manchester United vs Fulham player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Fulham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Manchester United vs Fulham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Fulham draws Crystal Palace for the quarterfinal round, which will be played the weekend of March 29. Their next Premier League game kicks off at Brighton come 10am ET Saturday.
Man United begins a Europa League Round of 16 tie at Real Sociedad early Thursday (12:45pm) before hosting Arsenal at 12:30pm Sunday in the Premier League.
How to watch Manchester United vs Fulham live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV/Streaming: ESPN+
Manchester United vs Fulham final score: 1-1 (3-4 penalties)
Calvin Bassey 45+1', Bruno Fernandes 71'
Penalties
Bruno Fernandes - GOAL - Man United 1-0 Fulham
Raul Jimenez - GOAL - Man United 1-1 Fulham
Diogo Dalot - GOAL - Man United 2-1 Fulham
Sander Berge - GOAL - Man United 2-2 Fulham
Casemiro - GOAL - Man United 3-2 Fulham
Willian - GOAL - Man United 3-3 Fulham
Victor Lindelof - SAVED - Man United 3-3 Fulham
Antonee Robinson - GOAL - Man United 3-4 Fulham
Joshua Zirkzee - SAVED - Man United 3-4 Fulham
Manchester United vs Fulham live updates
Heading to penalties
Thirty minutes. A total of 0.53 xG. Not an ideal watch. We go to pens.
Leno denies Obi to end first ET period
It’s a quick reaction from Leno to swing his left arm at a slightly-deflected Obi shot and slap it out for na corner.
Fulham defend it well, and that’s the first 15 minutes of extra time.
Fulham sub
Harrison Reed replaces Lukic in the 101st minute.
Sub before the start of extra time
United puts young Arsenal purchase Ayden Heaven into the game in place of Harry Maguire.
Leno stops Garnacho, puts off Obi just before extra time
Joshua Zirkzee picks out Garnacho, who has players on either side.
That certainly plays a part in a tepid low shot that Leno spills but Fulham saves before the final whistle.
Off to extra time. Two games today, but going beyond the 90.
Onana save!
Best detailed by the video.
A top save from André Onana of @ManUtd with minutes to go 🧤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bkJFWsMdsG
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
Subs
Fulham make a pair of moves in stoppage time, bringing Raul Jimenez and Willian in for Muniz and Andreas Pereira.
Extra time looms
United have put all four of their shots on target in the second half, but the danger has not been high.
That said, it has been higher than that produced by the visitors.
1-1, 88'.
Bruno Fernandes goal — Man United 1-1 Fulham (71st minute)
Garancho’s bid to send Diogo Dalot down the left works, and the Portuguese crosses back toward a sea of bodies.
Bruno Fernandes’ low shot across his body and the goal rolls past the gloves of a diving Bernd Leno.
1-1!
The technique to pull off this finish 🥵#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/45LvKXZaZa
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
More subs
Chido Obi and Casemiro enter to try and turn this around in place of Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen. 69'
Subs
Emile Smith-Rowe takes the place of Adama Traore for Fulham.
United remove Ugarte and Yoro for Alejandro Garnacho and Victor Lindelof.
It remains 1-0 Fulham as we hit the 54th minute.
Calvin Bassey goal — Man United 0-1 Fulham (45+1')
The breakthrough belongs to the Cottagers, much to the chagrin of Amorim.
Rodrigo Muniz provided the set-up for Calvin Bassey — who had a great chat with our Mary Omatiga this week — who finished well.
Fulham grew into the half and moved into front before they moved in front.
Red Devils the better through 20 minutes
You read that right — It’s Amorim’s men who are have the only four shots of a football match.
Not a prank!
Rasmus Hojlund had the best chance of the bunch and Fulham have to find a way into the game.
Manchester United lineup
Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes, Zirzkee, Hojlund
Fulham lineup
Leno, Castagne, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Lukic, Traore, Pereira, Iwobi, Muniz
Manchester United vs Fulham preview
This fifth round match also gives Fulham a third chance to defeat the Red Devils this season, as Man Utd swept the Premier League series between the sides 1-0 home and away.
United beat Man City to last season’s FA Cup, riding first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to a 2-1 win over their cross-town rivals.
Ruben Amorim would be thrilled to keep another trophy on offer as his topsy-turvy Premier League side has advanced to this stage of the FA Cup as well as the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
Manchester United team news, focus
OUT: Jonny Evans (lower back), Toby Collyer (knock), Mason Mount (thigh), Luke Shaw (foot), Jonny Evans (muscular), Lisandro Martinez (torn ACL - MORE), Altay Bayindir (undisclosed), Patrick Dorgu (suspension), Kobbie Mainoo (undisclosed), Amad Diallo (ankle - out for season)
Fulham team news, focus
OUT: Harry Wilson (foot), Kenny Tete (knee), Reiss Nelson (hamstring), Sasa Lukic (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Emile Smith Rowe (ankle)
Manchester United vs Fulham prediction
Third time could be the charm for Fulham against Man United, as the Cottagers have both been good away from home and are a better team right now. They are certainly more consistent. Fulham, however, were much better against United in their second meeting of this season and Marco Silva’s system is far more settled than Amorim’s looks at Old Trafford. Still... Man United 1-0 Fulham — NM
