Fans urge Carrick to restore Cunha to the left wing after Fulham lifeline
Manchester United headed into the first international break of the 2026/27 season off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw against Fulham, a result that did little to ease the pressure building on Michael Carrick. The Red Devils have now collected just five points from their first five Premier League matches, leaving them stuck in 12th place heading into the pause.
How it unfolded at Craven Cottage
United were architects of their own misfortune for long stretches. A comical Lisandro Martínez own goal on 63 minutes gifted Fulham the lead, and for a long period United struggled to find a way back — low on confidence, short of penetration, and unable to create clear chances in behind. It took until the 89th minute for Matheus Cunha to rescue a point, latching onto a pass from Dorgu and firing home a deflected shot that snuck past Bernd Leno.
The silver lining: Cunha on the left
Cunha’s leveller was the standout moment of an otherwise underwhelming afternoon, and not just for the result it salvaged. It came shortly after Marcus Rashford was forced off with what looked like a groin issue, pushing Cunha out to the left wing to complete the front three alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee. It’s a positional switch United fans have reportedly been urging Carrick to make for some time — and, notably, one he only made because injury forced his hand rather than by design.
Why it matters
Cunha spent the majority of last season operating from the left for United, where he was at his most dangerous cutting inside onto his right foot. This season, though, he’s been shifted more centrally to accommodate Rashford’s return to the side, a change that’s reportedly left Cunha underused as an auxiliary striker while Rashford has struggled to convert his own chances — including a missed big chance late on against Fulham, on top of finishing the game without a goal or assist so far this campaign.
The bigger picture
Before the goal, Cunha had already looked United’s most threatening outlet, and pundits and supporters alike have pointed to his goal as further evidence that his best position remains out wide. Whether Carrick reads it the same way once Rashford is fit again is another matter — early signs, per those close to the squad, suggest Carrick may simply revert to the previous setup once his forward options are all available.
What’s next
With the international break now underway, Carrick has a rare window to reassess his attacking shape before United return to face a run of fixtures against Tottenham, Leeds, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Aston Villa — matches that will go a long way toward determining whether his more expensive attacking additions can finally start delivering consistent returns, and whether Cunha’s night at Craven Cottage proves to be a one-off or the start of a more permanent positional shift.