Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has called for greater maturity from his team after they squandered a lead in a 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their winless start to the season.
United dominated the first half but failed to capitalise, with captain Bruno Fernandes missing a penalty in the 38th minute. The breakthrough eventually came just past the hour when Rodrigo Muniz’s own goal put the visitors in front.
However, Emile Smith Rowe equalised for Fulham 17 minutes from time, with the hosts finishing the stronger side.
“We have to grow up a lot as a team,” Amorim said. “The most important thing is the players worked very hard during the week and again today, but the moment that changed the game was our goal. We scored, and then we forgot about how we play. Instead of pushing forward, we tried to hold onto the advantage.”
Amorim also admitted Fernandes struggled mentally after his penalty miss.
“He is our leader and has so much responsibility. But he was thinking about the miss during the game, and we cannot do that. We need to move forward and play.”
The match also brought controversy, with Fulham angered by refereeing decisions. United’s penalty was awarded after a VAR check for a tussle between Calvin Bassey and Mason Mount, but when Bassey appeared to be pushed by Leny Yoro in the build-up to United’s goal, VAR stayed silent.
“I cannot understand. Everybody saw what happened,” Fulham boss Marco Silva said, expressing frustration but refusing to go deeper into officiating criticism.
Amorim, who has now won just seven of his 29 Premier League games in charge, said his team must learn to embrace pressure. “We want to win so badly, and that is good. But after scoring, that’s when we need to enjoy the game more and push the opponent, not step back.”
