Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has three players who may have saved his job after dramatic Fulham win

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was left delighted after Fulham win

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 04/11/2023

- 14:30

Updated: 04/11/2023

- 14:35

The Red Devils picked up all three points at Craven Cottage

Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0 in Saturday's Premier League clash to ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils weren't at their best throughout the showdown in west London.


But Bruno Fernandes scored a dramatic late winner to give United all three points and relieve some of the pressure on their manager's shoulders.

The Portugal international's goal, which came on his 200th appearance for the club, settled the match. GB News now takes a look at three players who stood tall for Ten Hag, starting with the obvious...

Saved job: Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes celebrates his late goal against Fulham

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Fernandes has long been the beating heart of this United side.

Ever since being given the captaincy, however, he's regressed at an alarming rate.

But this was a big day and a big performance from the Portugal international, who popped up with the winner in the closing stages.

The decision to give Fernandes the captaincy back in the summer has been scrutinised. Without him at the club, however, their current predicament may have been a whole lot worse.

If United are to ever get back to the heights of old, they'll need Fernandes to produce more moments of magic like this.

Saved job: Harry Maguire

It looked as though Harry Maguire was going to have to come off after just 40 seconds.

The defender sustained a head injury and looked dazed but opted to play on.

Maguire has had his critics during his time at United but this was a terrific performance from the centre-back, who is now finally starting to come good.

Without his fighting spirit, United may have slumped to defeat.

Maguire deserves to play on current form, even if some fans are pining for Raphael Varane to be restored to the side.

Saved job: Andre Onana

Andre Onana has dropped several clangers since joining United from Inter Milan back in the summer.

However, the Cameroon international has turned a corner in recent weeks and seems to have rediscovered his confidence.

Onana made two excellent saves in the second half to deny Palinha and Harry Wilson.

His distribution was better, too, with the 27-year-old looking more comfortable on the ball than in previous matches.

He still has much to do if he's to achieve a legacy at the club like David de Gea but this performance bodes well.

Not everybody was at the races, however. Two players must up their game despite the result...

Not good enough: Antony

Antony is one player who starts for Manchester United most weeks.

But patience among fans is starting to wear thin and the Brazil international was abysmal during the match with Fulham.

Antony was virtually anonymous, offering precious little going forward as United sought to break the deadlock.

Even defensively he was suspect, with BT Sport commentator Jermaine Jenas blasting the former Ajax star after he lazily stuck out a leg and allowed Willian to go round him.

United have spent plenty of money since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013 but Antony, at the current rate, looks set to be one of their biggest flops.

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Not good enough: Christian Eriksen

Man Utd Christian Eriksen Fulham

Manchester United star Christian Eriksen was off the pace during his side's win over Fulham

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Christian Eriksen was a key player for United last season.

On his day, he's a class act and a joy to watch.

But Eriksen was well off the pace against Fulham and was dominated by his midfield counterpart Joao Palinha.

The Denmark international has his uses, of course. There's still not a player in the United midfield who can offer the same creativity as the former Tottenham, Inter Milan and Ajax star.

Yet Eriksen's lack of pace is a big issue and it's baffling that Ten Hag continues to persevere with the player, especially given he's got Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri and Mason Mount as options.

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