Five talking points from Manchester United’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Fulham

United unable to make possession count

There are three kinds of lies- lies, damned lies and statistics. Whilst statistics show that United had more than 60 % of the ball throughout the entire game, the truth was that, but for the two goals, Fulham didn’t muster a single meaningful attack.

For large parts of the game, they were camped in their own half, and it was almost like it was a game of defense vs attack. But for all their dominance, the Red Devils were unable to walk away from Fulham with all three points.

Whilst they created plenty of chances, more often than not, the crosses were met by the Fulham center backs, who did a fabulous job on both Rooney and Van Persie.

The most telling statistic of them all, is the score line and for much of the game, United were behind, and although they led thanks to two goals in 90 seconds, ultimately they couldn’t finish the job.

Carrick lays down the gauntlet for the rest of the midfield

Although United won the League last season, much of the credit went to the goals of Robin Van Persie and the industry of Wayne Rooney. Michael Carrick was somewhat sidelined, but it was his passes that started almost all attacks.

This season, curtailed by injury, Carrick hasn’t played as much as he would have liked. But, ever since his return, Carrick has gone back to his usual metronomic self, spraying passes left, right and center. Some of the Englishman’s switch of play was just a joy to watch and he even managed to get forward a lot more than he usually does.

As a result, he even got a goal to his name, his first this season. Although he was maybe at fault for Fulham’s late equalizer, he had done more than enough to show Moyes that he is the best midfielder at the club right now and is in dire need of a partner in crime.

Have United finally found Scholes’ successor in Mata?

For almost two decades, Paul Scholes was one of the mainstays of the greatest club sides of all-time. But, ever since his retirement, nobody has been able to fill the void left by the Ginger prince.

Anderson, who was bought in as his replacement, has never really looked the part. It was only Darren Fletcher that even came close, but that was before his injury and even then, he was a completely different player. But, with the arrival of Mata, it looked as though United finally had that much needed impetus in midfield.

Although the Spaniard is a completely different player, some of his passing against Fulham bore a striking resemblance to the Englishman. The more the game wore on, the more it looked like Mata was going to provide the final pass to set things up, which he did for the equalizer.

If he keeps up his high standards for the rest of the season, United might just sneak into the Champions League.

Where do United go from here?

For much of the match, United huffed and puffed, but to no avail. Then, it looked as though, things had finally turned out thanks to two goals in 90 seconds.

It looked as though Moyes’s Sheffield Wednesday moment had come, and the celebrations that followed were a testament to that. But, unfortunately for United, such has been this season that even a Fulham side that had beaten United at home just twice, were able to walk away with a pivotal point.

The result now leaves United 15 point off top spot, which means that the title is out of their reach. But, more importantly they are still nine points behind Liverpool in fourth, and with every passing game, it looks as though even a top four spot is out of reach.

If United are to make it into the Champions League next year, they will have win almost all their remaining League games and simply hope for the best.

There is hope yet for Meulensteen and co.

Although Fulham defended with 10 men behind the ball for much of the game, Meulensteen would have definitely taken a point at the start of the game.

In fact, for a Fulham side that had lost four games on the spin, a trip to Old Trafford, a place where their last victory was in 2003, certainly looked a daunting proposition. But, Meulensteen set his team up to defend and that they did manfully.

On any other day, United would have scored at least five or six goals, but today wasn’t meant to be. As cross after cross was cleared by the Fulham center backs, it looked as though, the Cottagers had finally found some much needed stability.

Although Fulham came dangerously close to losing this game, the fact that they didn’t and score with their only two attacks, will surely be seen as a positive by the coach, who now hopes his side continue the same level of commitment a few days later against Liverpool.