Man Utd Player Ratings vs Fulham: Lisandro Martinez Strikes as Maguire Shines but Hojlund Struggles

Manchester United edged past Fulham with a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage in a Premier League clash that left fans with mixed emotions. The decisive moment came courtesy of an unlikely source, Lisandro Martinez, whose thunderous strike ended a lackluster contest and secured three vital points for Erik ten Hag’s side. While some players rose to the occasion, others left much to be desired. Here are the player ratings from the game:

Goalkeeper and Defense

Andre Onana – 7/10
Onana had a relatively quiet game but stepped up when it mattered most. He made a crucial save midway through the second half to deny Fulham an equalizer. His distribution was precise, and he looked composed under pressure.

Diogo Dalot – 6/10
Dalot had a steady performance, offering decent support in attack while remaining solid defensively. However, he struggled to deliver quality crosses into the box.

Harry Maguire – 8/10
Arguably one of Maguire’s best performances this season. He was a towering presence in defense, winning key aerial duels and making several crucial interceptions. His leadership at the back was evident.

Lisandro Martinez – 9/10
The standout player of the match, Martinez delivered a commanding defensive performance and capped it off with a stunning goal. His ability to read the game and distribute the ball effectively was pivotal.

Luke Shaw – 7/10
Shaw was solid defensively and contributed to attacks with overlapping runs. While his final delivery lacked precision at times, his overall work rate and positioning were commendable.

Midfield

Casemiro – 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder was a rock in the middle of the park, breaking up Fulham’s play and dictating the tempo. His experience and composure were evident, though he missed a couple of long-range chances.

Christian Eriksen – 6/10
Eriksen struggled to influence the game as much as he’d have liked. While his passing was tidy, he rarely found the killer ball to unlock Fulham’s defense.

Bruno Fernandes – 6.5/10
Bruno’s energy and creativity were there in flashes, but he failed to impose himself consistently. He did, however, deliver the corner that led to Martinez’s goal, showcasing his set-piece prowess.

Attack

Antony – 6.5/10
Antony showed glimpses of his flair and directness but lacked end product. He managed a couple of decent efforts on goal but was otherwise kept quiet by Fulham’s defense.

Marcus Rashford – 6/10
Rashford struggled to make an impact, often finding himself isolated on the left flank. His decision-making in the final third was questionable, and he failed to test the goalkeeper.

Rasmus Højlund – 5/10
A disappointing outing for the Danish striker. Højlund was largely anonymous, struggling to hold up the ball or link play effectively. He squandered a golden chance in the first half, summing up his frustrating afternoon.

Substitutes

Scott McTominay – 6/10
Brought on to shore up the midfield, McTominay provided physicality and energy but had little impact on the game offensively.

Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5/10
Garnacho added a spark late on, with his direct runs causing some problems for Fulham’s defense. However, he didn’t have enough time to make a significant difference.

Victor Lindelöf – N/A
Came on in the dying minutes to help see out the win and had minimal involvement.

Manager

Erik ten Hag – 7/10
Ten Hag’s decision to stick with Maguire and Martinez at the back paid dividends. While the attacking play lacked fluidity, his team showed resilience and took their chance when it came. A gritty win, but the performance still leaves room for improvement.

Final Thoughts

Manchester United’s performance against Fulham was far from their best, but the result was all that mattered. Lisandro Martinez’s decisive goal and Harry Maguire’s commanding display were the highlights of an otherwise underwhelming team effort. With sterner tests ahead, United will need to step up their game, especially in the attacking department.