As it happened: Frustrating evening as United share spoils with Fulham

It's close from Fernandes, as his shot is at Areola - but United don't look urged to grab the winner tonight.

This is worrying, with only eight days until United's Europa League final.

Well, it was coming. Joe Bryan finds the net after a lovely move from Fulham - VAR is having a look but it's nothing less than United deserve, as the header beats De Gea from close-range.

It's atrocious defending from the Reds - the likes of Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka lose their heads and United are punished for not killing the game off.

Really, Mason Greenwood should be wheeling away in celebration. It's a lovely ball to play him through, but the inside-forward just can't find the net, after unnecessarily opening up his body.

The English youngster has struggled this evening.

Fernandes puts an absolute diamond of a cross into the box, but Greenwood mis-calculates the knock and can't turn it in.

It should be two, and you have to wonder whether United will come to rue these missed chances.

Carvalho almost beats the keeper, but De Gea saves well from an initial parry - but it's a further warning to United who have leaned ever so slightly off the gas since the interval.

It's a cracking run from Scott McTominay, but is tripped up by Lemina for Fulham. Who could blame him, given McTominay's record from long-range?

Fernandes' free-kick looks to have gone in from the angle on Sky Sports, but it's actually just past the post.

The two sides are back out and underway for the second period!

436 days after Scott McTominay scored a thumping goal from long-range to see United's fans home for fourteen months, Edinson Cavani welcomed the supporters back in with a similarly brilliant finish.

The Red Devils lead Fulham by a goal, but they still have much to do to secure a victory in the second half.

The left-back drives forward and has a go from the edge of the area, but it's high and wide of the top corner.

A United corner into the box is - typically - cleared away at the first attempt, but Fernandes strikes it well on the second ball. However, it is straight down the throat of Areola in the Fulham goal.

A moment later, Fernandes sets up Pogba well in the box, but the Frenchman can't quite get there for the final shot.

It's a lovely pass from Fulham to unlock the defence, but it's equally awful from Victor Lindelof to let Carvalho through on goal.

He should score, but the effort is straight down the throat of De Gea.

Fulham have not been good at all, but United are gifting them all of their chances. Their biggest opportunity has been as a result of a mistake from David de Gea, but even then, the Spaniard was able to collect his original parry.

United have looked to add a second but their chances to do so have been minimal, with mistakes in the build-up most times. Cavani has been the most influential man in the final third by a comfortable margin.

It's been pretty unremarkable since the opening goal, as United have looked to consolidate their lead. 

Fernandes came close with a scorching hit from the edge of the box a moment ago, but other than that, the Reds haven't truly threatened to add a second as of yet.

IT'S EDINSON CAVANI! OF COURSE IT IS! Edinson Cavani nets United's first goal back with supporters, and what a goal it is.

Just moments after a penalty denial, Fernandes flicks it round the corner for Cavani, who lobs Areola from long range, sending Old Trafford into raptures.

It's been a pretty even start here at Old Trafford. Manchester United have enjoyed the majority of possession and have had a few ventures forward, but Paul Pogba is the only man to come close, after a header over the bar.

The Reds need a quick start to put any early jitters to bed.

And this evening's Premier League clash is underway!

And it's getting very emotional at Old Trafford, with supporters back in stadiums for the first time in over a year.

Who's cutting onions?

Starting XI: Areola, Ream, De Cordova-Reid, Adarabioyo, Cavaleiro, Lemina, Lookman, Reed, Bryan, Anguissa, Carvalho

 

🔢 Scott has made four changes to his side for today's Old Trafford clash.#MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/xe8bjNK8sU

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) May 18, 2021

Starting XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba; Cavani

Come on United! 💪

🔴 #MUFC | #️⃣ #MUNFUL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 18, 2021

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Areola; Tete, Andersen, Adarabioyo; Carvalho, Reed, Anguissa, Cordova-Reed; Onomah, Cavaleiro; Maja

De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Bailly, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani

Midfielder Mario Lemina will be available for selection, having been ineligible to face parent club Southampton at the weekend.

However, neither Tom Cairney, nor Antonee Robinson, will be in contention.

Only Phil Jones and club captain Harry Maguire are confirmed to be absent for the Reds.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær could welcome back Daniel James and Anthony Martial, after both suffered pretty lengthy lay-offs with injury, but neither will be expected to play longer than half-an-hour at Old Trafford.

The only thing Fulham are playing for now is to finish 18th in the Premier League. Scott Parker's side have enjoyed a pretty fluctuating season back in the top-flight, with some impressive performances, but they didn't really look capable of survival.

An upset over second-placed United would give them some serious capital going into the Championship next term.

Last week, Manchester United lost half as many games as they had all season. Their defeat to Liverpool on Thursday evening showed United are going nowhere fast, but could well be the biggest wake-up call required for the Red Devils.

Ahead of a Europa League final in two weeks, United will be looking to recover some of their previous momentum with victory against Fulham.

On a separate note, this will be the first time in fourteen months that the Reds will welcome supporters to Old Trafford, with 10,000 tickets being sold as part of the government's partial re-opening of sports venues.

With both sides having little to play for, this is a dead rubber, with Manchester United's primary goal being to recover some momentum ahead of their Europa League final in a fortnight's time.

Fulham, having confirmed their Championship status for next season, will merely be attempting to force an upset in their final weeks of the campaign.

Manchester United vs Fulham will be played at Old Trafford, in Manchester, England. The kick-off is scheduled at 18:00 BST.

Welcome to VAVEL UK’s LIVE coverage of the 2021 Premier League match: Manchester United vs Fulham!

My name is Ryan Batty and I’ll be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.com