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And the nightmare continues for Manchester United after drawing with The Cottagers by conceding an injury time goal in the 94th minute by Darren Bent. United are now adrift 9 points from the UEFA Champions League spot and a visit to Arsenal up next, United’s gloomy season just keeps getting worse.
Captain Nemanja Vidic who announced his summer departure plans returned to United’s heart of defense after seeing off his three-match suspension, while yet again despite everyone’s criticism Moyes decided to start Mata again in a wide right position.
The former Manchester United assistant manager Rene Meuluensteen’s made bold changes to his side that came into tonight’s game facing 4 consecutive defeats, giving debuts to his new recruits in John Heitinga, former United youth Ryan Tunnicliffe and 18-year-old forward Muamer Tankovic.
Fulham who were awful in their midweek loss to League One’s Sheffield United, came into the game with a defensive approach as they sat deep inviting United’s attacks and counter attacked when the opportunity arose.
United unfortunately fell for it and suffered an early blow as Fulham took the lead on 19 minutes when unmarked Steve Sidwell stretched himself to score, from a beautiful lob from the German playmaker Hotby who was given far too much space on the left wing that scrambled United’s defense. United had an immidiate opportunity to level the game from Rafael‘s cross which the usually lethal Van Persie failed to take advantage of.
Although they kept intense pressure on a resolute Fulham’s defense by creating chances and numerous crosses, but failed to break the deadlock.
Maarten Stekelenburg was a very busy man tonight making saves from Rooney, Van Persie, Young, Vidic and a 20 yard strike from Carrick. Chicharito and Valencia were introduced for Young and Rafael respectively, United maintained their heavy possession and possibly made record crosses.
United’s savior Van Persie yet again came to the rescue and leveled United in the 78th minute from three yards and a couple of minutes later Adnan Januzaj who was brought in for Fletcher at the hour mark, put in a cross that went uncleared setting up Carrick’s deflected shot that fell into the top corner giving United a desperate lead.
United looked comfortable as 5 minutes were added to the stoppage time, with Van Persie almost adding another goal to his tally from a silly goalkeeping error from Stekelenburg as his pass to Heitinga fell shot but Van Persie failed to score from a cheeky chip.
Albeit, Fulham refused to throw in the towel as Sidwell burst forward to play in Richardson whose shot was saved by De Gea, only to fall into Darren Bent’s reach who pounced in to score an unlikely equalizer in the 94th minute to pile misery over United.
