Manchester United were pushed to their limits at Old Trafford but still came away with all three points after a dramatic 3-2 win over Fulham.
What looked like a calm afternoon quickly turned into chaos, before Benjamin Sesko stepped up in injury time to save the day.
United had been in full control after taking a two-goal lead, yet a late Fulham fightback stunned the home crowd.
Just when it seemed the points had slipped away, Sesko delivered a moment of quality that could prove vital in the race for the top four.
Strong start shows Carrick’s early impact
Michael Carrick has enjoyed a bright start in charge, but this match presented a different kind of challenge.
There was no fierce rivalry or hostile atmosphere, instead, United had to stay focused against a Fulham side with nothing to lose.
Carrick was forced into a change after a recent injury, giving Matheus Cunha a start following his strong performances off the bench in recent matches. The decision paid off as United began the game with confidence and control.
From the first whistle, United moved the ball well and looked comfortable in possession. Fulham struggled to cope with the tempo, and it felt like a goal was coming.
Casemiro rolls back the years
The breakthrough arrived through Casemiro, who continues to remind fans what United will be losing next season.
The Brazilian midfielder rose above his marker to power home a header after a dangerous delivery into the box.
It was a goal that summed up his experience and strength. Casemiro dominated midfield battles and helped United keep Fulham pinned back for long periods of the first half.
After the break, he showed his quality again with a clever pass that opened up Fulham’s defence. Cunha latched onto it and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
At that point, United looked comfortable. The game appeared settled, and Old Trafford relaxed.
Andrew Boyers/Reuters
Fulham refuse to go away
However, Premier League matches rarely stay simple.
Fulham slowly grew into the game and began to test United’s concentration. The visitors pushed higher up the pitch and started to win second balls, exposing gaps in midfield.
The turning point came when Fulham were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box.
Raul Jimenez made no mistake from the spot, cutting the deficit and bringing nerves back into the stadium.
United tried to slow the game down, but Fulham sensed weakness. Deep into stoppage time, a stunning strike from distance flew into the top corner, leaving United shocked and silent.
From cruising to panic in minutes, the match had flipped on its head.
Sesko steps up when it matters most
Just when frustration threatened to take over, Benjamin Sesko changed everything. Introduced from the bench, the forward showed calm under pressure and produced a brilliant finish late on.
His strike flew past the goalkeeper and into the corner, sparking wild celebrations. Old Trafford erupted, knowing how close United were to dropping crucial points.
It was a huge moment for Sesko and a reminder of the importance of squad depth during a long season.
Midfield concerns remain for United
While the result was positive, concerns remain for Carrick. Casemiro was applauded off when substituted, but United looked less solid after his departure.
With the Brazilian set to leave at the end of his contract, the club face a major rebuild in midfield. Young players may be given chances, but replacing Casemiro’s experience will not be easy.
The late Fulham pressure exposed these issues and showed areas that still need fixing.
Big win in the race for the top four
Despite the scare, United got the job done. After a long period of added time, the final whistle brought relief across Old Trafford.
The win keeps Manchester United in fourth place, maintaining momentum under Carrick and boosting belief among supporters. It was not perfect, but sometimes finding a way to win matters more than style.
With tough games still ahead, this dramatic victory could prove to be a turning point in United’s season.
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