Although Man United didn’t deserved to win but that particular player made me restless and I won’t forget him even in a hurry, he was the best player on the pitch yesterday”: Fulham coach Marco Silva has named ONE Man United’s players who was their nightmare yesterday

Fulham manager Marco Silva couldn’t hide his frustration after his team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Craven Cottage on January 27, 2025. Speaking to the press, Silva admitted that the result didn’t reflect the true dynamics of the game, expressing disappointment that his side failed to earn at least a point. While he conceded that United might not have deserved to win, he singled out one individual who caused him significant distress throughout the match. Silva described this player as the standout performer, acknowledging their undeniable influence on the game.

The match marked another challenging outing for United, now coached by Ruben Amorim, who have been struggling to find consistency this season. With just one victory in their last three Premier League games, United entered the contest desperate for a positive result. Their first-half display, however, gave little hope, as the team struggled to create meaningful chances and appeared devoid of ideas in the attacking third. Fulham, on the other hand, looked the more composed and aggressive side, dominating possession and threatening United’s backline on multiple occasions.

The turning point came in the second half when Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez, known more for his defensive prowess than his goalscoring ability, struck from distance. His effort, though initially wayward, took a heavy deflection off a Fulham defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Bernd Leno and nestling into the back of the net in the 78th minute. The goal, while fortuitous, proved decisive, leaving Fulham scrambling for a response in the game’s final moments.

Fulham had their chances to snatch a late equalizer, but wastefulness in front of goal proved costly. Striker Rodrigo Muniz, who had been a constant thorn in United’s defense, squandered two golden opportunities to level the score. In one instance, a perfectly weighted cross found him unmarked in the box, but his header sailed agonizingly wide. In another, a close-range effort lacked the precision needed to beat United’s goalkeeper. These missed chances encapsulated a frustrating evening for Fulham, who couldn’t make their dominance count.
United’s resilience, however, was exemplified by young substitute Toby Collyer. The 19-year-old made a heroic last-ditch clearance off the line in the dying moments of the match, denying Fulham what looked like a certain goal. It was a moment that summed up United’s gritty, albeit unconvincing, determination to hold onto their slender lead.
There was late drama in stoppage time when Amad Diallo thought he had doubled United’s advantage. The young winger fired home what seemed to be a decisive second goal, only for VAR to intervene and rule it out for offside. The decision kept the scoreline at 1-0, leaving Fulham with a glimmer of hope, but they couldn’t capitalize before the final whistle.

The victory was a much-needed boost for Manchester United, propelling them to 12th place in the league standings, just four points behind Fulham, who sit in 10th. Despite their win, questions remain about United’s overall form and their ability to mount a challenge for a higher finish this season.

Silva, meanwhile, was left to rue what could have been. He lamented Fulham’s inability to convert their dominance into tangible rewards, insisting that his team had controlled much of the game and deserved a better outcome. Reflecting on the match, Silva emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and working harder to turn promising performances into points. He acknowledged that football often rewards persistence, and he remains confident that Fulham can bounce back from the setback if they learn from their mistakes and continue to build on the

ir strengths.

Marco Silva’s post-match frustrations are understandable, as Fulham delivered a performance worthy of at least a point against a Manchester United side still searching for consistency under Ruben Amorim. Despite dominating possession and creating clear opportunities, Fulham fell short due to a mix of wastefulness in front of goal and United’s resilient defensive moments.

Lisandro Martínez’s Game-Changing Moment

Martínez’s heavily deflected strike may have been fortuitous, but it underscored his importance to United. Known for his defensive solidity, the Argentine demonstrated his ability to influence games beyond his primary role, even if luck played a part. His relentless aggression and determination have been key to United’s ability to grind out results in challenging times.

Fulham’s Missed Opportunities

Rodrigo Muniz’s inability to capitalize on key chances epitomized Fulham’s night. With two golden opportunities late in the game, Fulham had the chance to salvage a point but were undone by poor finishing. Silva’s side played with intent and aggression but lacked the cutting edge in crucial moments, a recurring theme that has held them back from climbing higher in the league.

Toby Collyer’s Defining Contribution

While Martínez’s deflected goal made headlines, Toby Collyer’s last-ditch clearance was arguably the moment that saved United from another disappointing result. The young substitute’s composure and awareness in such a high-stakes moment highlighted his potential and justified Amorim’s faith in him.

Amad Diallo’s Disallowed Goal

Diallo’s late strike, ruled out by VAR, offered a glimpse of United’s attacking promise, even if it ultimately didn’t count. His movement and finishing showcased the kind of flair United need to rely on moving forward, particularly given their struggles in front of goal this season.

Looking Ahead

For Manchester United, the win is a relief but far from a statement of resurgence. Amorim has significant work to do if the team is to climb further up the table and challenge for European qualification. Questions about United’s creativity and attacking cohesion remain unanswered, despite the individual brilliance of players like Martínez.

Fulham, meanwhile, can take solace in their performance but must find a way to convert dominance into results. Marco Silva’s side continues to show promise but needs greater composure in critical moments to truly make their mark in the Premier League this season.

Both teams face pivotal matches ahead, with Fulham seeking to rebound and United aiming to build on their hard-fought victory. Whether this result marks a turning point or a brief reprieve for Amorim’s struggling side remains to be seen.