Nine trending topics from Fulham v United

The Reds' captain struck just as the board was going up to signal the additional minutes, in what was an attritional clash with Fulham that struggled to get going until midway through the second half.

It was the second time United had found the net during the match, although Scott McTominay's early effort was ruled out for offside following VAR intervention.

Here's what we noticed during the afternoon at Craven Cottage...

MIXING IT UP

Ten Hag rung the changes after Wednesday’s disappointing defeat to Newcastle, although three of them were enforced as Casemiro and Marcus Rashford missed out due to injury and Victor Lindelof was ill. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was among the players brought in, for what was his first start since the trip to Arsenal in early September. Rashford did make the trip to the capital, watching on from the bench.

CONCERN FOR MAGUIRE

Harry was one of the five members of the XI kept in from midweek, but the England international took a heavy early blow when challenging Rodrigo Muniz for the ball. Our no.5 looked disorientated and there was visible swelling around his eye, but after a couple of minutes’ treatment from our medical staff, he was deemed fine to play on. He was then heavily involved in another early talking point…

VAR DENIES US AGAIN

McTominay thought he’d given United an eighth-minute lead, only for referee John Brooks to rule it out for offside from Maguire after a lengthy check, first from the VAR and then via the pitchside monitor. It was the fourth time in this Premier League season that the Reds have had a goal chalked off following intervention from Stockley Park. Alejandro Garnacho was judged to be offside at Arsenal in another tight call, while Rasmus Hojlund's 'equaliser' against Brighton was ruled out for the ball going out of play. Jonny Evans also had an effort disallowed at Burnley, as Hojlund was adjudged to have disrupted the goalkeeper while in an offside position.

KEEPING THINGS SOLID

The Reds have often struggled to react to adversity this season, going on to lose two of the three games mentioned above and often conceding quickly after the decision was made. The home side edged the play in the immediate aftermath of the disallowed effort, but the visitors looked more solid than we have done in recent weeks, with Wan-Bissaka particularly impressive in shackling the dangerous Willian and McTominay sliding in to stop dangerous former team-mate Andreas Pereira getting his shot off. We couldn’t quite find the first-half breakthrough at the other end though, as the encounter turned scrappy.

GAME OPENS UP

After a fairly soporific opening 45 minutes, there was more of an end-to-end feel about the early knockings of the second half. Garnacho - impressive after the break and often an attacking outlet - stung the palms of Bernd Leno, while Andre Onana was required to superbly save two efforts in the space of a minute, first from Harry Wilson and then Joao Palhinha as the Portugal international ran into space on the edge of the area. Diogo Dalot then cleared off the line and, with the Cottagers getting on top, the home support found their voice and United were having to work hard to stay in the contest.

ANOTHER LATE SHOW AT FULHAM

Almost exactly a year on from Garnacho’s memorable late solo goal in front of the Putney End, the travelling Reds once again had another last-gasp winner to savour as Fernandes’s drive squirmed beyond the grasp of Leno. Of course, that Garnacho effort meant we went into the long World Cup break with something to cheer and this goal could be as equally valuable after a difficult week for the club. Our visiting fans were superb throughout the afternoon and the whole team clearly valued the unequivocal backing as they all went to celebrate with the scorer by the corner flag.

SUBS RALLY REDS

Ten Hag introduced Facundo Pellistri, Mason Mount and Anthony Martial for the closing stages and the three replacements all had a touch of the ball in the build-up to Bruno’s winner. Pellistri was particularly impressive with his contribution, harrying Antonee Robinson, chasing a lost cause and then making an interception which eventually led to Bruno receiving the ball on the edge of the box. It wasn’t the prettiest effort you’ll ever see, but it showed the value of hard work and not giving up the ghost.

DRAWLESS RUN CONTINUES

Not that we’re complaining, but Bruno’s intervention means United’s run of matches without drawing continues. It’s now 24 games since we shared four goals with Tottenham back in April – our longest run as a club since 2012, when Sir Alex Ferguson’s side either won or lost 28 straight contests between April and December.

AWAY FORM IMPROVING

After two straight defeats on the road to start the Premier League season, the Reds have now won three in a row away from home, with Burnley, Sheffield United and Fulham the vanquished opposition. Ten Hag's side moved up to sixth in the table before the other Saturday kick-offs, and another victory as visitors, this time at Copenhagen on Wednesday, would brighten our European picture too.