Manchester United were looking for a response at Fulham. Instead, they left Craven Cottage with another reminder of just how much work lies ahead.

A late, deflected goal from Matheus Cunha rescued a 1–1 draw on Sunday, sparing United a third straight defeat but doing little to quiet the growing questions around Michael Carrick and his team.

For long periods, United looked short of the urgency expected from a side carrying the weight of one of football's biggest clubs. They created chances and finished the afternoon with 29 attempts, but possession and shot numbers could not disguise the lack of control and intensity that has become increasingly noticeable.

The warning signs became particularly clear after half-time. Fulham increased the tempo while United struggled to respond, eventually falling behind when Lisandro Martinez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.

Cunha's equaliser in the 89th minute was a huge relief, but it was hardly a convincing rescue. The Brazilian himself admitted afterwards that United needed to show more energy and could not continue relying on a reaction after conceding.

The numbers tell their own story

United's problems are not simply a matter of perception.

Physical performance data reported this week places the club 20th in the Premier League for several high-intensity running categories, including distance covered at high intensity, total sprints and time spent sprinting. Against Fulham, United covered 6.6 kilometres fewer than their opponents.

Those figures do not tell the entire story of a football match, but they add weight to what supporters have been seeing on the pitch.

And that is where the concern lies.

Last season, Carrick brought optimism back to Old Trafford, guiding United to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. This campaign has been a very different story. United now have just five points from their opening five Premier League matches and sit 12th in the table.

They have also suffered a derby defeat to Manchester City and a painful League Cup exit to Brighton, where they surrendered a two-goal lead before losing 3–2.

Carrick now needs answers.

The international break gives Carrick some breathing room, but it also gives him a problem to solve.

United cannot afford to return with the same issues that have followed them through the opening weeks of the season. The team needs greater intensity, more consistent attacking patterns and, perhaps most importantly, a clear response when matches begin to turn against them.

Carrick remains confident that the situation can be corrected. But confidence alone will not change the mood around Old Trafford. United need performances and results.

Their next Premier League fixture is against Tottenham on October 10. By then, the focus will not be on what went wrong at Fulham.

It will be on whether Manchester United have finally found a way forward.

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