Man Utd clinch late winner as Carrick keeps up winning streak in Fulham clash
Manchester United's temporary boss Michael Carrick kept his unbeaten record intact with a thrilling 3-2 victory against Fulham on Sunday, thanks to Benjamin Sesko's goal right at the end.
The team went ahead in the first half via Casemiro's powerful header and seemed comfortable after Matheus Cunha added a second following the break at Old Trafford.
The closing stages were chaotic as Raul Jimenez scored from the spot in the 85th minute to revive Fulham's chances, only for Kevin's stunning effort to equalise deep into added time.
United responded immediately, with Sesko netting his fourth in four outings to secure Carrick's third win on the bounce despite previous criticism.
Having already beaten Manchester City and the league-topping Arsenal, this exciting match hinted that ex-United player Carrick could be turning things around effortlessly.
Now without a loss in seven league fixtures, United climbed to fourth, boosting their push for Champions League football next term.
Qualifying would mark a big achievement for Carrick, who lost his job at Championship side Middlesbrough last season.
During Ruben Amorim's rocky 14 months in charge, United managed three straight wins just once, a feat Carrick has now replicated soon after stepping in until the campaign's close.
The club's leaders might need to think about a full-time role for their old midfielder if he sustains this form.
That said, it remains to be seen if it satisfies the 1958 Manchester United supporters' group, who protested against the ownership before the game outside Old Trafford.
Dozens of supporters, including some in clown outfits, voiced their anger over the team's slide under the Glazers and the minimal progress since Jim Ratcliffe assumed control of football matters.
They described United as suffering from "clown-like ownership dragging us into disorder" and operating "like a circus".
Chants against the owners rang out alongside signs, with smoke from flares hanging over Sir Matt Busby Way.
United take charge
Once the pre-match unrest settled, Carrick's decision to start Cunha instead of the hurt Patrick Dorgu proved spot on, given the Brazilian's decisive strike against Arsenal last week.
Fulham had been in fine fettle, picking up more points than anyone bar Arsenal in their prior eight outings, yet United devised a plan to halt that momentum.
The hosts believed they had earned a spot-kick when Jorge Cuenca challenged Cunha unfairly.
However, VAR determined the incident occurred marginally outside the box.
Fulham's relief was short-lived as United opened the scoring from the free-kick in the 19th minute.
Bruno Fernandes curled the ball to the back post, where Casemiro leaped to head it forcefully beyond Bernd Leno.
The second came in the 56th minute, Cunha's sixth of the term.
Casemiro's smart disguised pass set up Cunha in the box, and he rifled an excellent shot past Leno from a tight angle.
Fulham thought they had pulled one back in the 65th minute through Cuenca, but VAR overturned it.
Samuel Chukwueze was adjudged just offside when he nudged Jimenez's free-kick towards Cuenca.
United began to falter, and Jimenez slotted home an 85th-minute penalty after Harry Maguire tripped him.
It appeared United had unravelled when Kevin drifted in from the right and bent a brilliant shot into the top corner from outside the box in added time.
Just two minutes later, United's resolve shone through as Sesko controlled Fernandes' pass and fired high past Leno from close range, igniting joyous scenes.