Old Trafford has been a far happier place in recent weeks, and that was reflected in a start filled with intent, as Amad Diallo’s shot and a Harry Maguire header were saved before Bryan Mbeumo almost got behind but was denied by Jorge Cuenca.
Fulham have been in fine form of their own, though, and they worked Senne Lammens with an instinctive Joachim Andersen attempt before Lisandro Martinez blocked Samuel Chukwueze’s shot.
There was an agonising wait for Fulham as Cuenca was initially adjudged to have conceded a penalty for his challenge on Matheus Cunha, but it made no difference that a free-kick was eventually rewarded as Casemiro rose to head home Bruno Fernandes’ delivery in the 20th minute.
The Red Devils were fairly comfortable after taking the lead with Chukwueze unable to truly stretch Lammens despite looking bright, while Harry Wilson was crowded out in the home box and saw his shot blocked.
Alex Iwobi then hit a strike from range that Lammens got down to save, and Sander Berge deflected Amad’s shot behind moments before the break.
The Red Devils’ promise continued into the second half with Diogo Dalot sliding the ball through for an Mbeumo attempt that Bernd Leno rushed out to save.
Lammens still had to react well to deny a Wilson free-kick, but the hosts doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Casemiro slid the ball through for Cunha to emphatically smash it past Leno.
Fulham thought they had struck back when the hosts couldn’t clear after Raul Jimenez’s free-kick hit the wall, but Cuenca’s goal was ruled out due to Chukwueze being marginally offside.
Cunha then floated an effort over Leno’s crossbar with his last contribution before his replacement Benjamin Sesko headed against the post.
The tide was then turned when Harry Maguire fouled Raul Jimenez for a penalty that the striker converted.
Then, in the 92nd minute, Kevin looked to have completed the visitors’ comeback when he played a one-two with Ryan Sessegnon before curling a stunning strike into the top corner.
All that did was set the scene for Old Trafford to erupt when Sesko struck mere moments later, picking out the top corner after collecting Fernandes’ pass to earn United’s third consecutive victory as they reclaimed fourth place in the Premier League table, while also inflicting the second defeat from Fulham’s last three matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Casemiro (Manchester United)
