The Japan Times - Man Utd strike late as Carrick extends perfect start in Fulham thriller

United took the lead through Casemiro's first half header and looked in command when Matheus Cunha netted after the interval at Old Trafford.

In an incredible finale, Raul Jimenez's penalty with five minutes left gave Fulham hope before Kevin's wonder-goal hauled the visitors level in stoppage-time.

To United's immense credit, they hit straight back as the much-maligned Sesko's fourth goal in his last four games sealed Carrick's third successive victory.

After masterminding surprise wins over Manchester City and Premier League leaders Arsenal, this remarkable encounter suggested former United midfielder Carrick might have the Midas touch.

Unbeaten in their last seven league matches, United moved up to fourth place as their bid to qualify for next season's Champions League gathers pace.

Reaching the Champions League would be a significant statement for Carrick, who was sacked by second-tier Middlesbrough last year.

Only once in Amorim's turbulent 14-month reign did United win three games in a row and Carrick has matched that run within weeks of his appointment until the end of the season.

United's hierarchy may have to consider hiring Carrick on a permanent if their former midfielder can continue his impressive run.

Whether that is enough to appease the 1958 Manchester United fans group is another matter after they staged a protest against the owners outside Old Trafford before kick-off.

Hundreds of fans, some wearing clown masks, gathered to express their frustration with United's decline under the Glazer family and the lack of improvement since co-owner Jim Ratcliffe took charge of football operations.

The group claimed United are "being dragged through chaos by clown ownership" and are "run like a circus".

Fans chanted against the owners and held aloft banners as flares filled the air on Sir Matt Busby Way.

- United seize control -

When the smoke cleared, Carrick's intuition paid off as he brought Cunha into the starting line-up to replace the injured Patrick Dorgu after the Brazilian scored the winner at Arsenal last weekend.

Only Arsenal had taken more points than in-form Fulham over the previous eight games, but United found the formula to end that strong spell.

United thought they had won a penalty for Jorge Cuenca's foul on Cunha.

But a VAR check showed the offence took place just outside the area.

It was only a temporary reprieve for Fulham as United took the lead from the resulting free-kick in the 19th minute.

Bruno Fernandes swung his delivery to the far post and Casemiro rose highest to thump a towering header past Bernd Leno.

United struck again in the 56th minute with Cunha's sixth goal this season.

It was a goal made in Brazil as Casemiro's clever no-look pass found Cunha inside the Fulham area and he smashed a fine finish past Leno from an acute angle.

Fulham were controversially denied a lifeline when VAR disallowed Cuenca's 65th minute goal.

Samuel Chukwueze was ruled offside by the narrowest of margins when he prodded Jimenez's free-kick to Cuenca.

But United were wobbling and Jimenez converted an 85th minute penalty after the Mexican was fouled by Maguire.

United looked to have collapsed in stoppage-time when Kevin cut in from the right wing and curled a sublime strike into the far corner from the edge of the area.

Two minutes after Kevin's leveller, United showed their spirit as Sesko took Fernandes' pass and drilled high into the net from 12 yards to spark wild celebrations.

S.Yamamoto--JT