Bruno Fernandes was not happy in the game after missing penalty – United boss Amorim

Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

Portuguese coaches Ruben Amorim and Marco Silva shared the spoils on Sunday in the Premier League as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The match was notable for a uncharacteristic missed penalty by United captain Bruno Fernandes , while Fulham manager Silva was left irritated by decisions made by VAR in both boxes which punished his side.

Fernandes’ missed kick came in a first half which ended goalless, but United threatened strongly. New signing Matheus Cunha was the brightest player on the pitch during the first 20 minutes, hitting the post and going close on another couple of occasions as the visitors started well. Having earned plaudits last week despite losing to Arsenal, the promising opening stages was a welcome sight for United’s travelling support

The chance to finally take the lead was handed to Fernandes after Fulham’s Calvin Bassey was penalised by VAR for a pull on Mason Mount, but the former Sporting man – usually so reliable from 12 yards - blazed his kick over the bar. The kick was preceded by a strange incident in which the referee bumped into Fernandes as he was setting himself, the replays gaining some media attention post-match.

United’s performance level dwindled during the remainder of the game and by the time they took the lead through a Rodrigo Muniz own goal (58’), their threat had largely been confined to corners. In truth, neither side impressed much for the majority of the game, but when Fulham drew level fifteen minutes later thanks to substitute Emile Smith Rowe, parity felt fair.

Dalot, Fernandes out of sorts

Diogo Dalot had been introduced by Amorim in place of Amad during the second half, and the Portuguese full-back will be frustrated with himself for taking an ill-advised elaborate touch which lost possession ahead of Smith Rowe’s goal. Bruno, meanwhile, appeared unusually detached for the remainder of the match, barely impacting proceedings in midfield.

Speaking after the match, Amorim opted against being critical of his side, who have now taken just one point from their opening two Premier League matches. “It was a tough match,” he said in his press conference. “When we scored the goal, we forgot about maintaining the way we should play. We were just thinking about maintaining the result. We want to win so bad, we forget about maintaining possession, pushing the opponent. We gave the game a little bit to Fulham.

“We started really well. Until the goal I think we were a good team, we can do better. After the goal we were just thinking about maintaining the advantage. You cannot do that.

“I think we can do better, but we are putting the effort. That is the most important thing.

“Bruno? He’s not used to missing a penalty. He knows that every moment in this context has a huge impact on the team. I felt that during the game he was not so happy, not to involved. Because he has so much responsibility and he felt that missing the penalty was huge for us.”

We learned how to control United – Silva

From his end, Marco Silva was left frustrated by decisions he felt went against his side, but praised the way his team grew into the game. Reflecting not only on the referee opting to penalise Bassey for United’s missed penalty, Siva was also dismayed that a push on Bassey by Lenny Yoro was not referred by VAR as United went ahead in the second half.

“In the first 20 minutes, Man United played better than us,” Silva said during his post-match press conference. “We had some problems defending in behind, they created problems, we lost most of the duels, they started better than us and created two great chances with Matheus.

“From then, we started to build our attacks the way we wanted, we realised where the spaces were in that moment. From then on, we didn’t give Man United chances to press us high like they prepared to. Then we started to settle into our game. From that moment, no more big moments from Man United .

“Second half we started very well. They scored their goal in our best moment in the game. And our reaction was top level in my opinion. The players kept their composure, kept their balance, kept the plan. After the 1-0 to Man United we were better than them. All the dangerous moments they had came from set-pieces, nothing more. We controlled the game, we didn’t let them press us, we always found the spare player in the midfield area. And we scored a great goal.

“I can say it was a fair result. Although if I look at the way they scored a goal, I can say no. The whole world here saw what happened in terms of the VAR decisions. I will say nothing more.”

We need players – Silva

Fulham have yet to add any outfield players to their ranks this season – a situation Silva has already publicly criticised. The Portuguese boss was asked by a journalist if he feared that a draw against Manchester United could impede his hopes of being given reinforcements before the deadline closes one week from now.

"That cannot happen,” Silva laughed. “I'm very proud of the players we have, the togetherness we have. The players who came on today had a massive impact. They are not happy to be on the bench, I’m unbelievably proud of them. But it doesn't hide that we need players. We haven’t signed anyone apart from a 2nd goalkeeper. We lost two wingers, we lost a striker.

“Let’s see what happens. We have to sign. The plan we set in May hasn't come through. We need to sign at least three players before the end of the market. The two things cannot be related. We performed well, we should all be proud. But Premier League is much more than that. We have many games and in some positions we are short, simple as that."