Manchester United's FA Cup title defence is over, with the Red Devils being knocked out of the competition in the fifth round on Sunday afternoon, as Fulham won a marathon affair via a penalty shootout.
Bruno Fernandes cancelled out a Calvin Bassey opener to leave the two teams level at the end of 90 minutes, while neither could find a second in the additional 30 minutes of action at Old Trafford.
A penalty shootout was therefore required to determine which team would advance to the quarter-finals, and both Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had efforts saved by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
Fulham, on the other hand, were perfect from the spot, with Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson all converting, as Marco Silva's side booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
In truth, this performance was slightly better from Man United considering what has been served up this season, and the Red Devils deserve some degree of praise for coming from behind to level the scores.
Ruben Amorim's side looked the more likely in extra time, with Chido Obi making an excellent impression, but Man United missed some half-chances to register, and then the hosts suffered penalty heartache.
The FA Cup was so important for Man United this season, as it offered a route into Europe next season, but the Red Devils now only have the Europa League as an option to secure European football for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Premier League has been a write-off for some time, so to suggest that the upcoming last-16 Europa League clash with Real Sociedad is huge for the club would be a slight understatement.
Fulham, in truth, were not exactly fantastic, with Silva's team as disappointing as they have been for some time, at least from an attacking sense, but they were perfect from the penalty spot, and Zirkzee's miss allowed the visitors to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the famous competition, with Crystal Palace being confirmed as their opponents.
MAN UNITED VS. FULHAM HIGHLIGHTS
Calvin Bassey goal vs. Man United (45th min, Man United 0-1 Fulham)
CALVIN BASSEY! ⚽️
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 2, 2025
Playing in his first ever #FACup game has given Fulham the lead at Old Trafford.#BBCFootball #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/f1Ad2SvsWO
Fulham take the lead in the final stages of the first period, as Bassey heads in from close range after Robinson had nodded a corner from Andreas Pereira into a dangerous area - Man United fall behind once again at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes goal vs. Fulham (71st min, Man United 1-1 Fulham)
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC! ⚽️
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 2, 2025
Bruno Fernandes has come to #ManUtd's rescue in the #FACup! #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/WHPpHg34Zm
Man United level the scores in the 71st minute, and it is a wonderful goal from Fernandes, who drives the ball into the bottom corner after being found by Diogo Dalot - what a wonderful strike from the Red Devils captain.
Joshua Zirkzee missed penalty vs. Fulham (penalty shootout)
The moment Fulham knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup 🧤#FACup #Fulham #ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Ip4NFeZKJi
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) March 2, 2025
Fulham book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, as Zirkzee's penalty is saved by Leno.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRUNO FERNANDES
© Imago
Fernandes has been subject to some high-profile criticism of late, but Man United would be in a different position entirely if they had more players of the Portugal international's quality.
The Red Devils captain again dragged his side back into the match with a wonderful finish, while he scored in the penalty shootout, but it was not enough to help the home side advance to the next stage.
MAN UNITED VS. FULHAM MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 41%-59% Fulham
Shots: Man United 20-12 Fulham
Shots on target: Man United 9-5 Fulham
Corners: Man United 5-8 Fulham
Fouls: Man United 10-13 Fulham
BEST STATS
13 - Manchester United have conceded 13 goals from corners across all competitions this season; the most of any Premier League team. Recurring. pic.twitter.com/AYke0zXZAe
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 2, 2025
24 goal contributions in all competitions this season - the most in the Manchester United squad 🥇
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 2, 2025
Bruno Fernandes.
Captain Marvel 🌟 pic.twitter.com/URAFbLWkrv
1 - Along with scoring their only goal, Bruno Fernandes led all Manchester United players against Fulham for shots on target (3), chances created (4), passes completed (48) and possession recoveries (10). Valiant. pic.twitter.com/IodkK0lzKY
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 2, 2025
Chido Obi had 3 big chances in 52 minutes today. For comparison, Rasmus Højlund has had 3 big chances in 22 Premier League matches this season.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 2, 2025
First start incoming? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/SPmIWC6OmO
WHAT NEXT?
Man United's attention will now switch to the Europa League; the team will head to Spain next week for the first leg of their last-16 Europa League clash against Real Sociedad, with the fixture taking place on Thursday night.
Fulham, meanwhile, now have a week to prepare for their return to Premier League action, with Silva's side continuing their league campaign away to Brighton & Hove Albion next weekend.
Matt Law
