Manchester United 1-1 Fulham (3-4 pens): Leno heroics decide Old Trafford shoot-out

Manchester United were sent crashing out of the FA Cup in the fifth round, losing 4-3 to Fulham in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim’s team fell behind to a Calvin Bassey header on the stroke of half-time, but Bruno Fernandes’ pinpoint finish dragged them level in the second half.

Neither side could find a winner in an end-to-end additional period, and when Fulham were perfect with their four penalties, Bernd Leno denied Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee to clinch their place in the last eight.

United started quickly as Rasmus Hojlund and Zirkzee directed efforts off-target, but Fulham soon gained a foothold and should have gone ahead when Sasa Lukic headed Alex Iwobi’s wonderful cross wide.

After a lull, Fulham hit the front in first-half stoppage time, as Rodrigo Muniz flicked Andreas Pereira’s corner towards the far post for Bassey to head home.

Marco Silva enjoyed @FulhamFC‘s opener #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/PsoHzLqqVM

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025

United’s leveller finally arrived in the 71st minute, as Fernandes wrapped his left foot around Diogo Dalot’s centre and directed a cultured finish into the bottom-right corner.

In a frantic finish to the 90 minutes, Andre Onana denied Emile Smith Rowe with a full-stretch save and substitutes Alejandro Garnacho and Chido Obi both missed golden chances to win it for United.

Obi had another effort repelled by Leno in the first half of extra time, while Onana was required to make an excellent save from Ryan Sessegnon’s shot as the tie went to penalties.

After six perfect penalties to start the shoot-out, Lindelof saw a tame kick saved by Leno, and Antonee Robinson converted coolly to make it a must-score kick for Zirkzee.

The former Arsenal goalkeeper sprang to his left to smother another poor effort from Zirkzee, leaving Old Trafford stunned as United’s season lurched to another low.

Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/Avt0Ne1IGu

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) March 2, 2025

Data Debrief: Overdue victory for Fulham

Prior to Sunday’s game, United had progressed from nine successive FA Cup ties against Fulham, last losing to them at the quarter-final stage in 1908.

They had also won 14 straight FA Cup fifth-round ties since going out to eventual winners Liverpool in 2006.

It was fitting that Leno was the hero, after the German made eight saves in the match, keeping out Garnacho and Obi twice apiece in the latter stages.