Michael Carrick calls for Manchester United response after ‘pathetic’ Fulham draw

Michael Carrick has challenged Manchester United to respond after their dismal 1-1 draw at Fulham left them with five points from their opening five Premier League matches.

United avoided a third consecutive defeat only when Matheus Cunha’s deflected equaliser arrived in the 89th minute at Craven Cottage. They had fallen behind to a bizarre own goal from Lisandro Martinez and had looked set for another damaging loss against a Fulham side who remain without a win and sit second-bottom.

The result means United have equalled their lowest points total after five matches in the Premier League era. Carrick’s side are 12th, matching the start made by Louis van Gaal’s team in 2014-15 before that side went on to finish fourth.

However, the statistics only told part of the story. United lacked a threat in attack, showed little defensive organisation and appeared short of energy until they fell behind.

Cunha said the team had been missing drive, while former United defender Gary Neville delivered a scathing assessment during his work for Sky Sports.

“I’ve watched Man United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen. Absolutely pathetic,” said Neville.

The 51-year-old added: “I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Carrick be thinking?”

Carrick was expected to build on United’s third-place finish last season, achieved during his spell as interim boss after he took over from Ruben Amorim. But the 45-year-old is now under growing pressure in his first campaign as permanent manager.

United began with a 2-0 defeat by promoted Hull, were beaten by Manchester City last weekend by an Erling Haaland goal that should have been disallowed, and then surrendered a two-goal lead at home against Brighton in a League Cup collapse. They are already 10 points behind leaders City.

“It’s not been ideal. It was always going to come at some point and it’s come at the start of the season,” Carrick said.

He pointed to narrow margins, including a 25-yard shot into the top corner for Everton’s equaliser, the disputed City goal and Sunday’s own goal.

“It’s pretty fine margins that have flipped it. I know we can do better, we need to do better at certain things,” he said. “But I’m not despondent because I think we’ve shown some good signs as well.”

Carrick now has three weeks to address United’s poor start during the extended international break, with greater scrutiny also falling on the club’s transfer policy and fitness regime.

United return against bottom-of-the-table Tottenham on October 10, before difficult away matches at Atletico Madrid and Leeds.

Carrick hopes the setbacks will strengthen the group.

“You have to go through certain things to get to the end of it,” he said.