Carrick disputes Cunha’s claim that Manchester United lacked energy in Fulham draw

Michael Carrick denied that his Manchester United players lacked fitness after they earned a last-minute 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday. Statistics showed Fulham ran 6.6km more as a team than United. United's goalscorer, Matheus Cunha, who scored in the 89th minute, criticized his team's effort.

United played poorly after the game restarted at 0-0, which led to Lisandro Martínez scoring an own goal in the 63rd minute. Cunha said the team needed to work harder. "In the beginning of the second half, Fulham put in more energy than us and we cannot accept this," Cunha said.

Related: Manchester United’s midfield loses energy as fans start to show their frustration | Jacob Steinberg

The draw was not the result Carrick or United wanted. This came after a week in which they lost the derby against Manchester City and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton. Both matches were at Old Trafford. Carrick will accept the draw given these circumstances. He tried to point out the positives, saying his players showed a spirit of never giving up. They fought until the end and were rewarded when Cunha's shot from distance took a heavy deflection off Fulham defender David Affengruber, which caught Bernd Leno off guard.

Carrick said he did not agree with Cunha’s comment about the team’s energy levels. “I don’t, particularly,” the manager said. “Looking at how we finished the game, it didn’t seem that way to me. I was happy with how we finished. We kept pushing. I don’t think that’s a problem, no.”

“The response [to the own goal] was really pleasing … the way we went about trying to get back into the game. [We] kept the ideas, kept the patience, kept the real purpose to it. We finished on a positive, which is a small step for us … without getting carried away it’s a good step. We came to take three points but at least we’ve taken something to build on moving forward.

“It has been pretty fine margins [so far this season] that have flipped it [the wrong way]. I know we can do better, we need to do better at certain things. But I’m not despondent and down because we’re showing some good signs.”

Some United fans booed when Carrick decided to take off Kobbie Mainoo in the 80th minute. The manager brought on Mason Mount instead. “There’s always going to be certain reactions when you’re making changes,” Carrick said. “I understand. We’re chasing the game and everyone’s a little bit emotional. I don’t take any negatives or offence to it.”

Carrick was asked whether he felt fans were disappointed, since they had been expecting a big season from United. “It’s still a big season ahead,” he said. “It’s a long season and you’re going to have spells through it. That’s part of the journey.

"I'm not saying it doesn't matter. We wanted more points. I'm not saying everything is great. I understand why people are frustrated. But there is no sense of giving up at this club. The players showed that on the pitch today, and that will help us through the rest of the season."

Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa was unhappy with the match officials. He said they did not want United to lose after what happened in the game against City last Sunday. In that game, Erling Haaland's winning goal was allowed to stand even though his teammate, Enzo Fernández, was in an offside position.

Gary Neville branded Manchester United’s early second-half display against Fulham as the worst he had seen in more than 45 years. Reflecting on United’s lethargic, error-strewn start to the half, the Sky co-commentator called the period “absolutely pathetic”, saying: “I’ve watched Manchester United since the age of five and that’s the worst 15 minutes I’ve ever seen. I’ve never seen such a lack of effort. What must Michael Carrick be thinking?” Guardian sport

Arbeloa pointed to what he called a soft free-kick given to Harry Maguire near the halfway line. This came 35 seconds before Cunha scored the equalizer. Maguire said he felt contact from Fulham substitute César Palacios.

“All the fouls for them,” Arbeloa said to Sky Sports straight after the game. “You can see before they scored, the foul against Maguire … he’s a guy who is 100 kilos. Every decision was for them. And I knew. I knew after the game against Man City that they [would not] let Manchester United lose here.”

Arbeloa took back what he said at his main press conference, but he still said he was “not really happy.” The referee, Peter Bankes, gave Fulham the benefit of the doubt in the 86th minute after a shot from Martínez hit Calvin Bassey’s hand inside the penalty area. Bassey did have his hand up, but it stayed close to his body.