Man United vs Fulham score, result, highlights as Fernandes and Sabitzer turn around FA Cup quarter final

Joe Wright

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Man United vs Fulham score, result, highlights as Fernandes and Sabitzer turn around FA Cup quarter final image

OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER — Manchester United battled back from a goal down to beat Fulham in the FA Cup quarterfinals and secure a return to Wembley Stadium next month.

The 2022/23 Carabao Cup winners will be back at England's national ground to face Brighton & Hove Albion after overcoming a Fulham side who performed superbly for an hour before seeing two players and manager Marco Silva sent off in a remarkable moment of indiscipline.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored early in the second half to give the visitors a deserved lead. United looked tired and largely out of sorts and the striker's poacher finish from a corner was no less than the visitors deserved.

However, the Red Devils turned the game on its head following an extraordinary few minutes. Willian blocked a goalbound shot with his hand and referee Chris Kavanagh, who initially gave a corner, was told to check the footage by VAR.

After going to look at the pitchside monitor, the referee showed a red card to Silva for something the Fulham boss said, before awarding the spot-kick and sending off Willian for the deliberate handball. As he did so, Mitrovic barged into him and shouted into his face, earning Fulham's third red card in the space of about 60 seconds.

Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot after the lengthy delay, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way with a confident take. Barely two minutes later, United had turned the game on its head, Marcel Sabitzer scoring his first goal for the club with a close-range finish from Luke Shaw's cut-back.

In the final moments of added time, Fred teed up Fernandes to blast home United's third and ensure their place in the last four. Manchester City will face Sheffield United in the other semifinal.

MORE: Erling Haaland hits another hat-trick as Man City destroy Vincent Kompany's Burnley

Man United vs Fulham final score

  1H 2H Final
Man United 0 3 3
Fulham 0 1 1

Goals:
Fulham — Aleksandar Mitrovic — 50 mins

Man United — Bruno Fernandes (pen) — 75 mins

Man United — Marcel Sabitzer — 77 mins

Man United — Bruno Fernandes — 90 + 6 mins

Red cards:
Fulham — Marco Silva — 71 mins

Fulham — Willian — 72 mins

Fulham — Aleksandar Mitrovic — 72 mins

Confirmed lineups:

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-De Gea (GK) — 29-Wan-Bissaka, 5-Maguire, 6-Martinez, 23-Shaw — 15-Sabitzer, 39-McTominay — 25-Sancho, 8-Fernandes, 10-Rashford — 27-Weghorst

Man United subs: 31-Butland (GK), 20-Dalot, 2-Lindelof, 12-Malacia, 17-Fred, 73-Mainoo, 21-Antony, 28-Pellistri, 36-Elanga

Fulham (4-2-3-1, right to left): 17-Leno (GK) — 2-Tete, 13-Ream, 31-Diop, 33-Robinson — 6-Reed, 26-Palhinha — 14-De Cordova-Reid, 18-Pereira, 20-Willian — 9-Mitrovic

Fulham subs: 1-Rodak (GK), 4-Adarabioyo, 8-Wilson, 10-Cairney, 11-Solomon, 12-Soares, 21-James, 28-Lukic, 30-Vinicius

Gone in 60 seconds: Why did Fulham receive three red cards at Old Trafford?

For a team who have performed throughout this season with such poise and confidence, the way Fulham hit the self-destruct button here was incredible.

Mitrovic's goal had put them ahead in a game in which they looked fresher, sharper and better organised than their hosts, and it began to look like United's hectic post-World Cup schedule had finally caught up with them.

Then came the penalty incident. It was really good counter-attacking play from Antony and Jadon Sancho, even if the latter looked to have taken too long to shoot after rounding Leno. Willian, who had covered the ground magnificently to that point, raced to the line to block Sancho's shot but clearly did so using his hand.

If that was instinctive by the Brazilian, a desperate attempt to preserve Fulham's lead, there can be no excuse for what followed. Instead of leading by example, Silva earned himself a red card for saying something to the officials, and Mitrovic's shove and shouting at Kavanagh was completely unnecessary.

That single minute derailed all of Fulham's good work and all three will now be facing suspensions of some kind.

After the match, Silva told the media that he was frustrated United did not concede a penalty for Luke Shaw's push on Mitrovic early in the game. He also claimed he was shown a red card simply for leaving his technical area, not for what he said to referee Kavanagh — although he also said he "can't remember" what he told the official in the heat of the moment.

Earlier, he said to ITV: "Until that penalty moment and the red card, we were clearly the best team on the pitch. Clear! We matched Man United and it was clear that we were the best team on the pitch. 

"For me, it [the penalty] was a decision that VAR can take but what is difficult for us to understand is why the two moments in their box in the first half and one of them is a clear penalty on Mitrovic and no one checks or wants to see."

United boss Ten Hag said: "It's not up to me to make a comment on that. It's not always easy [to control emotions]. Last week, I was also so frustrated. When you see so many bad decisions and you feel it's against you... you have to clear your mind.

"Referees also have to take responsibilities. But you are right, we have an example [to set] as coaches as managers."

Can Man United win the quadruple?

United are still on course to win four trophies this season, although their chances of winning the Premier League look extremely slim given they will be 13 points behind leaders Arsenal even if they win their two games in hand on the leaders.

Manager Ten Hag felt his side played "quite decent" in the first half against Fulham, but he still sees room for improvement, particularly in possession and exploiting "the overload" in attack at the right moments.

However, given United's hectic run of games since mid-December, Ten Hag is delighted with his players' attitude and spirit and believes the prospect of winning more trophies will give them the energy they need to come through the final weeks of the season.

"We had a massive run from Christmas, 25 games or so, and I think just two defeats," he said. "You see the progress in the team: they have a strong character, strong determination to win games. Today was an example of it.

"I think we are in the position we want to be. We deserve it, but trophies will be won at the end of the season. We are in a position to win trophies, but we have to fight for it. We need a whole squad because since Christmas we have played every three, four days. When you are in a position to compete for trophies, it gives you energy."

Man United vs Fulham live updates, highlights from FA Cup

FT: Fulham kick off again but the referee ends it there. Man United are into the FA Cup semifinals!

90 + 6 mins: MAN UNITED GET A THIRD! Fred collects the ball 25 yards from goal and rolls it square to Bruno Fernandes. He steadies himself before blasting a shot into the far corner. Brilliant finish.

90 + 5 mins: Fulham fans are still singing for their side. The visitors were really impressive for the first hour, but the way they lost their heads around the penalty decision was unforgiveable, really.

90 + 2 mins: We're into seven added minutes here. Fulham are still trying to carry a threat but Lisandro Martinez has just send the ball and Dan James into the advertising boards. David de Gea's goal has been well protected since United got back into this.

87th min: Some magnificent footwork from Antony, but Issa Diop intervenes at just the right moment to prevent the Brazilian scoring. It was a mazy run through the Fulham defence there. The visitors are making three late changes here, including former United man Dan James, who gets a round of applause.

82nd min: Cameras show Marco Silva is still hovering around inside the tunnel. There's no sign of Willian or Aleksandar Mitrovic.

77th min: MARCEL SABITZER MAKES IT 2-1! With Old Trafford rocking, United go straight back on the attack. Luke Shaw cuts the ball back from the left and Sabitzer turns it into the net from point-blank range with the back his heel. Did he mean that? I don't think he cares in the slightest.

75th min: BRUNO FERNANDES SCORES THE PENALTY! He sends Bernd Leno the wrong way, and United are level. Fulham players just had a frantic discussion about who is now playing where.

UK:

USA:

73rd min: FULHAM ARE DOWN TO NINE MEN, AND MARCO SILVA HAS BEEN SENT OFF, TOO! The visitors have completely lost their discipline. Silva was shown a red card for saying something to the referee as he checked the VAR screen. After he awarded the penalty and sent off Willian for the handball, Aleksandar Mitrovic got in his face and pushed him in the shoulder, so he's been shown a red card, too. Extraordinary few minutes here.

71st min: PENALTY TO MAN UNITED! Antony led a quick counter-attack, Jadon Sancho rounded Bernd Leno and his shot was blocked on the line by Willian. The referee gave a corner but replays clearly show the Brazilian used his hand.

69th min: Marcel Sabitzer tries to bend a pass to Marcus Rashford but it's just too heavy and Bernd Leno gathers. Fulham break and Aaron Wan-Bissaka blocks a cross to concede a corner.

66th min: So close to 2-0! Aleksandar Mitrovic sends a header towards the top corner but David de Gea claws it away. The ball comes back in and the goalscorer tries to repeat the trick, but it goes wide.

62nd min: United have a couple of corners but they come to nothing. The threat from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Wout Weghorst just isn't there for the home side. Bruno Fernandes is now operating deep in midfield.

57th min: United haven't really responded to going behind and Fulham have another dangerous free-kick in the final third, although Andreas Pereira's delivery is overhit. Erik ten Hag needs to do something, and his first act is to bring on Antony for Scott McTominay.

50th min: FULHAM TAKE THE LEAD! Andreas Pereira's latest corner is touched on by Issa Diop, and Aleksandar Mitrovic is there to prod the ball high into the net! Marcus Rashford was hurt in a collision in the box but there was no foul there. United are in trouble.

Watch Mitrovic's opening goal (UK):

USA:

48th min: Good saves, David de Gea! The ball breaks kindly to Willian, who lays it off for Antonee Robinson inside the penalty area. His right-foot shot is tipped over by the United goalkeeper. After the corner is half-cleared, Willian shoots powerfully from the edge of the box, but De Gea pushes it around the post.

46th min: We're back underway at Old Trafford. Man United have been something of a second-half specialist side in recent weeks — can they do it again?

HT: That was a pretty scrappy end to a pretty scrappy half. Fulham will be the happier with how they have played, but United have created the better of what few chances there have been.

45th min: Chance for Scott McTominay! Good link-up between Wout Weghorst and Jadon Sancho sees the midfielder with a chance to shoot from 12 yards, but he takes an extra touch and the ball is blocked behind. The corner is wasted.

40th min: Lisandro Martinez makes a bruising but fair challenge on Aleksandar Mitrovic to stop the Fulham striker on the edge of the box. At the other end, Marcel Sabitzer gets a lucky bounce and tries his luck, but the shot is straight at Bernd Leno.

32nd min: First real chance of note for Marcus Rashford, who's played in by Marcel Sabitzer. He's got a tight angle to goal, though, and Bernd Leno makes a good block, the ball then bouncing back off the United striker and behind for a goal kick.

26th min: Harrison Reed breaks through a couple of challenges and tries to play in Aleksandar Mitrovic. The striker puts his leg across Lisandro Martinez and goes to ground, but the referee says play on. That was a good decision.

21st min: United clear an Andreas Pereira free-kick but nobody seems to know who should chase the loose ball. Back it comes, and Harry Maguire is booked for wrestling Aleksandar Mitrovic to the floor. The free-kick routine doesn't come off for the visitors, though.

Incidentally, Maguire would now be suspended for the semifinal if United make it through.

16th min: Lisandro Martinez slide-tackles the ball out of play from a loose Marcel Sabitzer pass and immediately signals for United players to calm down. They've looked ragged early on, with Fulham much sharper.

13th min: Jadon Sancho cleverly delays a pass and then releases Marcus Rashford on the break. He finds Wout Weghorst, but the big striker's shot with his weaker foot is tame and easily saved by Bernd Leno.

9th min: Man United have a spell of possession, but Fulham break, and Aleksandar Mitrovic sets up Willian to shoot wide. There's a break in play after the Brazilian barged Bruno Fernandes to ground — that looked painful for the United star, who took an elbow to the ribs.

3rd min: Fulham have started brightly: a couple of crosses from the right have yielded corners through a Scott McTominay clearance and a David de Gea save.

1st min: We're off and running! It's not quite a full house here in the stands — even the Fulham section has empty seats — but there's still a good atmosphere. "We want Glazers out" is heard from the Stretford End straight away.

5 mins before KO: The teams are out on the pitch here. They now know that victory today will see them face Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley in the semifinals next month.

40 mins before KO: Usain Bolt is here to watch this match. There's a joke to be made about needing a fast start out of the blocks, but I'll save that for later — after all, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

1 hour before KO: Manchester United start with club captain Harry Maguire in defence alongside Lisandro Martinez. Raphael Varane is missing from the squad; Erik ten Hag told MUTV the defender has a "small injury" and should be back after the international break.

For Fulham, Joao Palhinha returns from suspension and Andreas Pereira starts against his old club.

1 hour 30 mins before KO: Man United have played 25 FA Cup quarterfinal matches at Old Trafford since the Second World War ended. One of those was against Fulham back in 2004, when Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice to seal a come-from-behind win. United went on to win the trophy that year, beating Millwall in the final, as a teenager named Cristiano Ronaldo made his mark at Wembley Stadium.

1 hour 45 mins before KO: In the pre-match programme, Erik ten Hag writes: "There is no denying that we have had a very hectic schedule since the World Cup, so I have to recognise and respect the amount of hard work the entire squad has given during this period." As if to underline the point, the United manager wrote these words in a brief moment of respite before Thursday's 1-0 win over Real Betis in Spain.

Since the World Cup final on December 18, United have played 24 games in all competitions in the space of 88 days. That's an average of a little over one match every three days.

2 hours before KO: Manchester United and Fulham play their final matches before the international break today. A place in the semifinals of the FA Cup is up for grabs.

Man United vs Fulham lineups, team news

The big loss for Man United is Casemiro, who begins a four-game suspension today. Scott McTominay was also a doubt but was passed fit enough to start alongside Marcel Sabitzer.

Anthony Martial is still not ready to return and Alejandro Garnacho is facing a few weeks out. Harry Maguire comes in for Raphael Varane.

Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-De Gea (GK) — 29-Wan-Bissaka, 5-Maguire, 6-Martinez, 23-Shaw — 15-Sabitzer, 39-McTominay — 25-Sancho, 8-Fernandes, 10-Rashford — 27-Weghorst

Man United subs: 31-Butland (GK), 20-Dalot, 2-Lindelof, 12-Malacia, 17-Fred, 73-Mainoo, 21-Antony, 28-Pellistri, 36-Elanga

Fulham welcome back Joao Palhinha from suspension, while Willian returns to the first XI and Tom Cairney is on the bench. Shane Duffy, Layvin Kurzawa and Neeskens Kebano are out.

Andreas Pereira and Dan James will be involved against their former club, although the latter is a substitute.

Fulham (4-2-3-1, right to left): 17-Leno (GK) — 2-Tete, 13-Ream, 31-Diop, 33-Robinson — 6-Reed, 26-Palhinha — 14-De Cordova-Reid, 18-Pereira, 20-Willian — 9-Mitrovic

Fulham subs: 1-Rodak (GK), 4-Adarabioyo, 8-Wilson, 10-Cairney, 11-Solomon, 12-Soares, 21-James, 28-Lukic, 30-Vinicius

Man United vs Fulham live stream, TV channel

  TV channel Streaming
USA — ESPN+
Canada Sportsnet ONE Sportsnet Now
UK ITV 1, STV Scotland, UTV ITVX, STV Player
Australia — Paramount+
New Zealand Sky Sports 7 beIN Sports beIN Sports Connect
India Sony TEN 1 Sony LIV, JioTV
Hong Kong — myTV SUPER, M Plus Live
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 3

Astro Go, sooka

Singapore — Singtel Sports Plus

UK: This match will be broadcast live in the UK on ITV 1. The free-to-air broadcaster will also stream the action via ITVX. Viewers in Scotland can watch for free via STV.

USA: This match will be available to stream on ESPN+.

Canada: The FA Cup quarterfinal can be seem on Sportsnet One and streamed via Sportsnet 360.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream Man United vs Fulham on Paramount+.

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.