Manchester United’s engine room runs out of steam as fans voice frustration | Jacob Steinberg

One of the most troubling parts of Manchester United's difficult rebuilding process is their struggle to fix more than one problem at a time. The club has spent a lot of money poorly. This has left United in the odd position of only being able to address one area of the team each summer. Last year, they focused on attack. In the recent transfer window, they focused on central midfield. But their full-back options still do not look strong enough for a season back in the Champions League.

Manchester United still looks lost and without direction. Fans hate the owners, and more supporters are turning against the club. Gary Neville was not the only one angry while commentating on United's poor performance away to Fulham, who had not won a match all season. The mood among United fans at Craven Cottage turned worse, shown by the boos when Michael Carrick took off Kobbie Mainoo with 10 minutes left.

Related: Cunha scores late to stop Fulham from winning and get a point for Manchester United

Carrick played as an emergency centre-back the last time United lost this match, back in December 2009. Since then, United have done well in this fixture. On Sunday, it felt likely that United would avoid defeat again. This was mostly because Fulham grew nervous while leading 1-0, not because United showed strong resistance, even though a third defeat in a week was possible.

The late equaliser was fortunate, Matheus Cunha’s potshot hitting the luckless David Affengruber before going in. Bernd Leno was deceived in the Fulham goal but United did not fool anyone by stirring only after falling behind to Lisandro Martínez’s slapstick own goal. Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville called out the lack of effort during the 15 minutes before Fulham’s goal. Players went through the motions and pulled out of tackles, while the manner of the concession was feeble.

United could not get out of their box and when Cunha melted in a challenge with Calvin Bassey, the Fulham centre-back barrelled forward before testing Senne Lammens, only for Martínez to turn the rebound past his goalkeeper. It was a farcical goal and in keeping with the flow at that stage. United had no control or presence in midfield. Bruno Fernandes was the No 10 and Mainoo was deeper with Youri Tielemans, signed from Aston Villa last summer, but the ease with which Sander Berge and Shea Charles dominated for Fulham was proof that Carrick’s renovation in the engine room remains a work in progress.

It is interesting that United focused on getting many players during a summer when rival clubs were spending a lot of money on midfielders. Andrey Santos, who was an unused substitute in this match, joined from Chelsea for £50m. He has not yet proven himself in English football. Tielemans was signed for £35m, which was seen as a good opportunity. Manchester City spent £300m on three midfielders. Arsenal added more depth to their squad by buying Bruno Guimarães for £75m. Carrick will hope that Carlos Baleba, who is back from an ankle injury, will make his debut after the international break.

United were outrun by Fulham. They looked unfit and need Baleba to provide oomph. There were times when Fulham ripped through the middle, particularly in transition. Alex Iwobi surged away from Tielemans during the first half. Josh King’s raids down the inside-right channel caught the eye and Fulham repeatedly cut through before half-time, only for poor finishing to let them down.

Carrick raised eyebrows by saying United controlled a lot of the first half. Cunha was close to the mark by saying Fulham “put in more energy than us” at the start of the second half. One worry is that the players are already not following Carrick’s instructions. Another is that the window-by-window rebuild has still left United short of ideas in midfield and attack.

Those problems were supposed to have been fixed. Instead, United were slow both with and without the ball. There were some good moments in attack, but they were not convincing. Benjamin Sesko missed the match through injury, so United lacked an effective forward to bring on. Even allowing for that, the lack of quality in the final third was clear.

Related: Michael Carrick disputes Manchester United’s lack of fitness after draw at Fulham

Fernandes hit the post at 0-0, but only after a defensive mistake by Fulham. Cunha also hit the woodwork, though his shot took a heavy deflection. Marcus Rashford wasted two chances.

It is strange that the new-look attack still includes Rashford, who was up for sale last year. He played on the left but did not perform well, and he was substituted. Rashford is not the only United forward who can look promising early on but then fade during games. Bryan Mbeumo almost scored an equalizer, but he played inconsistently on the right side. Cunha seems uncomfortable playing as the number 9. Carrick does not seem to trust Sesko.

Carrick is under pressure. United have five points from five games and are already out of the Carabao Cup. The doubts over whether Carrick deserved the job will grow. But he is not the first United manager to struggle because of wider failings and is unlikely to be the last. It was not ideal, after all, that Carrick had to bring Joshua Zirkzee on when United were chasing an equaliser. The Dutch forward has five league goals since joining two years ago. Why has he not been sold? Some rebuild.