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MANCHESTER UNITED crashed out the FA Cup on penalties against Fulham.
Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee had poor spot-kicks saved as the Red Devils slipped to their sixth home defeat under Ruben Amorim.
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Fulham broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a well-worked corner.
Antonee Robinson darted to the near post and flicked it onto Calvin Bassey who directed his header into the bottom corner brilliantly.
Just as United‘s frustrations were brewing, Bruno Fernandes was the saviour yet again.
He picked up Diogo Dalot’s perfect cut back and fired it beyond the stretch of Bernd Leno.
United had chances towards the end of the second-half, with subs Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi unable to finish.
But the visitors were always dangerous, forcing a good save from Andre Onana after an Emile Smith Rowe strike.
There was nothing to separate the sides in extra-time and penalties were needed.
Despite great strikes from Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Casemiro – Lindelof and Zirkzee woefully fired right directly at Fulham hero Leno.
Here is how SunSport‘s Ken Lawrence rated the performances.
ANDRE ONANA – 6
Another cock-up for Ipswich’s first goal last Wednesday so had Altay Bayinder been fit would surely have paid for the blunder that also involved Patrick Dorgu.
Dropped what should have been a dolly catch in 32nd minute then soon after came for an Andreas Periera corner and took it perfectly.
You never know what you’re going to get from him almost minute by minute but produced a great, late save low to deny sub Smith Rowe.
Did not get near any Fulham penalties.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Not the quickest in the world and after his £42m arrival from Bayern Munich and looked to be struggling to acclimatise.
But he’s slowly starting to settle in and one huge difference could be seen in a series of sweeping long balls directed towards the left and Dalot.
That’s clearly an attribute he’s improved in training and speaks to the demands that have been made of United central defenders over the ages.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 5
Amorim reckons he should be an automatic choice for Thomas Tuchel and his first England squad when World Cup qualifying which kicks off against Albania later this month.
The Stretford End might disagree about the man who remains the world’s most expensive centre-half and gets caught under too many high crosses.
LENY YORO -7
The 19-year-old was making only his 18th appearance in English football following his £52m summer move from Lille and he’s growing into it.
This was the French international’s most assured performance yet playing as a right-footer on the left of Amorim’s three-man rearguard.
There are positive signs that he could become value for money in the long-term and being hooked in favour of Victor Lindelof early in the second half was a big surprise.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
The Moroccan international signed from Bayern for a mere £12.6m has looked a bargain.
One of the few Erik ten Hag signings made who looked like he belonged as a United player but is hardly Mr. Exciting as a right wing back.
But he struggled to cope with the threat posed by Alex Iwobi and Robinson, rarely venturing forward with any real conviction.
MANUEL UGARTE – 6
Will have been mystified that it was him who was withdrawn for Garnacho no matter that the winger’s pace was badly needed.
Admittedly, he hasn’t looked like he was worth a fee of up to £50m, but he dug in against well-organised hardly sensational opponents.
What he lacks is goals – he did score a howitzer to complete United’s comeback in the 2-2 draw with Everton eight days earlier but that’s still his only strike in 32 appearances… not a good return at all.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 9
Not exactly a Captain Fantastic – but he is Captain Commitment and his work rate in this one was phenomenal, popping up all over the pitch – in defence as well as attack, delivering plenty of decent balls to boot.
There was also the sweetest of equalisers, a low right footer on the half volley from Dalot’s cut-back that arrowed into Leno’s left-hand corner.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
The Portuguese is naturally right-sided but filled in for suspended left wing-back Dorgu and was just average.
United fans can never say he doesn’t give his all but out of position as he was against the Cottagers never looks that comfortable.
De Ligt delivered some marvellous cross-field balls to him and he failed with all of them – but did produce a fine low cut-back for Fernandes to equalise.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5
Made his first start in over a month and at the age of 33, Amorim continues to speak highly off him, insisting he still has a long feature ahead of him as a top player.
But that is not likely to be at Old Trafford with his contract up in the summer and the chance to get more weight off the imbalanced wage bill.
Starting to look his age, sadly. He still has a great eye for a pass delivering them as he once did so imperiously is becoming a major problem for him.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 3
Was famously reduced to tears when hauled off after 33 minutes in the 2-0 defeat by Newcastle United two days short of the new year.
And tonight he cried again, this time at his scuffed penalty.
The Dutch “attacker”, for want of a less polite description, played like he was in a fog, always in the wrong place at the wrong time and basically just getting in the way.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 2
His first touch is horrendous but then again his third isn’t that much better – of all Amorim’s changes the Dane’s was the most obvious.
Only Antony, and only because of his £85m price tag, can be considered a worse signing than that striker who cost £72m.
Harsh, brutal even? Not when you consider that after 78 games now he’s got only 23 goals.
Hasn’t hit the net for 18 in a row – and couldn’t hit a barn, never mind a door.
SUBS
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Ugarte, 53 minutes) – 6
Lunch is going to be on him for his strop-walk down the tunnel after being subbed in last week’s win over Ipswich Town but almost gobbled up a late, late chance to prevent extra time.
VICTOR LINDELOF (for Yoro, 53 minutes) – 5
The Swede had become the forgotten man under Amorim. But it will be impossible to forget his poor penalty in the shootout.
CASEMIRO (for Eriksen, 68 minutes) – 6
Maybe not quite as gone at the game as some of his performances have suggested in recent times – very solid as midfield enforcer and took a great penalty.
CHIDO OBI (for Hojlund, 68 minutes) – 6
Got one of the biggest cheers of a darkening Old Trafford night when he took to the pitch – and this giant Bambi of a 17-year-old almost claimed winner in time added on.
AYDEN HEAVEN (for Maguire, 90 minutes) – 6
The January arrival from Arsenal came on suddenly found himself in the middle of FA Cup drama.
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