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All Even
Manchester United ended their Premier League camapign at Old Trafford with a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
For the first time this season, a small group of fans got to see Edinson Cavani up close and personal as his goal gave the Reds the lead, but it wasn’t enough for United to grab all three points.
Joe Bryan’s goal late in the second half spoiled the party for the Man United supporters as the Reds had to settle for a single point.
Game Story
The small group of fans allowed in the stadium seemed to give the Reds a boost in the early stages of this match.
In the sixth minute, Aaron Wan-Bissaka found himself in space down the right, putting in a deep cross into the path of Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman ran onto it at the far post but got underneath it a little as his header looped over the bar.
In the 15th minute, United found the breakthrough.
An excellent clearance from David de Gea got flicked on nicely by Bruno Fernandes towards Cavani, sent in all alone against Alfonse Areola.
The Uruguayan chipped it over his former PSG teammate, and into the back of the net.
In the 20th minute, Mason Greenwood came close to doubling the advantage.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka again had tons of space to curl in a great cross.
Greenwood stooped in to meet it at the near post but failed to get his header on target.
Fulham got their first good scoring opportunity at the half-hour mark.
A lovely corner from Ivan Cavaleiro found the head of Andre Anguissa.
He got away from Fred and headed it towards goal, but de Gea got a touch and kept it out.
The Spaniard did well to keep United in front in the 38th minute.
Fabio Carvalho got the better of Victor Lindelof as he drove into the box, firing a low shot across goal that de Gea handled.
Early into the second half, United’s Bruno Fernandes created some excellent opportunities as the Reds tried to pad their lead.
In the 52nd minute, the Portuguese international’s free-kick went over the wall but wide of the post.
In the 55th minute, he floated in an excellent free-kick from the right and picked out Greenwood at the far post.
Unfortunately, it hit the youngster’s chest, but he recovered quickly to get the loose ball, but Areola saved his volley.
In the 61st minute, it was de Gea’s turn to make a pair of lovely saves.
From a tight angle, Ademola Lookman went for goal, but de Gea was there to deflect it onto the post.
Carvalho tried to head in the rebound, but de Gea was there to save that effort as well.
On 67 minutes, Fernandes turned provider once again, firing in a lovely cross into the box for Greenwood.
The youngster tried to glance it on towards goal, but his header went wide.
In the 74th minute, Cavani sent in Greenwood on the right one-on-one with Areola.
The French keeper though did well to come out and make the save, and Fernandes fired the rebound over the bar.
Those missed chances would come back to haunt the Reds as the Cottagers drew level in the 76th minute.
Bobby Reid put in an excellent cross into the far post right on the head of an unmarked Joe Bryan.
He nodded it down and beyond the reach of de Gea.
In the 80th minute, United had a chance to go ahead.
Paul Pogba intercepted a Fulham pass and, on the counter, found Bruno Fernandes.
On the edge of the box, the United midfielder’s shot was saved comfortably by Areola.
The final 10 minutes plus stoppage time couldn’t change the outcome as both teams secured a single point.
Man of the Match
They may be headed into the second tier of English football very soon, but you cannot blame Fulham’s shortcomings this season on goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
The man on loan from PSG did what he’s done all season for the Cottagers, make some huge saves to keep his side within striking distance.
Today he made five saves, many in a dangerous area or close range to help his side stay close.
His team had just over 40% possession, so he had to be incredibly sharp.
Ageing nicely
At the tail end of a long season, Edinson Cavani is proving his value for the Reds despite his age.
El Matador notched another goal today and, joined some exclusive company among United greats.
Cavani became the third Reds player to reach 10+ goals in a single campaign aged 33 or over at the start of the season.
The only other players to achieve that feat were Teddy Sheringham in 2000-01 and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2016-17.
Cavani is also the 25th different player to score 10+ goals in a single Premier League campaign.
Conceding
There is one area Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want to improve on next season.
His side conceded many goals at Old Trafford in this EPL campaign, the most in quite some time.
A total of 28 goals were scored against the home side at Old Trafford this season in the EPL.
That’s the most they’ve given up since the 1962-63 season when they conceded 38.
Salvaging a result
Scott Parker and his side can take away a positive from this result with the draw.
The Cottagers were able to pick up a point from a losing position for the first time against the Reds since 2014.
Conversely, United have now squandered 10 points from winning positions this season at Old Trafford.
That’s the highest such total for them at home in a Premier League campaign.
Next Up
Man United wrap up their Premier League season on Sunday against Wolves.
The kick-off from Molineux Stadium is at 4 pm. (JSL).
