Benjamin Sesko rescues Man Utd with last-gasp winner in Fulham thriller - 5 talking points

MANCHESTER UNITED 3-2 FULHAM: Benjamin Sesko comes off the bench to score an injury-time winner for Michael Carrick's side as they hold off a late fight back from Fulham

Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates

Benjamin Sesko was the hero for Manchester United(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Benjamin Sesko scored a dramatic late winner as Manchester United maintained their perfect 100 per cent record under Michael Carrick and moved into the top four. United appeared to have thrown away a third straight Premier League win before Sesko found the top corner in injury time.

Amad Diallo and Joachim Andersen had efforts saved at either end before United took the lead through Casemiro's powerful header from Bruno Fernandes' free-kick after VAR overturned a penalty decision.

It was 2-0 when Casemiro produced a cheeky no-look pass to find Matheus Cunha and the Brazilian smashed a powerful finish into the roof of the net from an acute angle. Jorge Cuenca saw a goal ruled out by VAR for a narrow offside before Sesko sent a header onto the post with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.

Jimenez brought Fulham back into the game from the penalty spot after being wiped out by Harry Maguire and Kevin came off the bench to curl in a stunning equaliser. But Sesko latched onto Fernandes' cross to make it 3-2 in the 94th minute.

Here are the talking points from a cracker at Old Trafford.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

READ MORE : Premier League explain Man Utd VAR penalty overturn as Red Devils issue perfect response READ MORE : Man Utd handed transfer verdict as player Michael Carrick loves responds to links

1. VAR rights a wrong

United had two shouts for a penalty in the early stages of the match and both times Cuenca had actually got a toe on the ball. The Fulham defender slid in to challenge Bryan Mbeumo first, with the United forward's appeal turned down by referee John Brooks.

But minutes later Brooks pointed to the spot when Cuenca challenged Matheus Cunha next to the byline. Replays showed that the Spaniard had clearly touched the ball, so Brooks was forced to change his decision. Interestingly, VAR changed the penalty decision to a free-kick outside the box, due to the fact Cuenca had pulled Cunha's shirt, much to the annoyance of Marco Silva, who was booked in the aftermath.

It proved a crucial decision as Fernandes delivered the ball into the box and Casemiro climbed high above Cuenca to plant a powerful header past Bernd Leno to make it 1-0.

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United appeals to Referee John Brooks after overturning his decision following a VAR review

John Brooks changed his decision from a penalty to a free-kick after a VAR review(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

2. Cunha proves his point

Michael Carrick had the luxury of naming the same starting XI in his first two matches in charge against Manchester City and Arsenal, but he had to make a first change to face Fulham, with Patrick Dorgu out with a hamstring injury.

Dorgu had been a revelation on the left wing against City and Arsenal and there wasn't a like-for-like replacement available. His answer was to bring Cunha into the line-up and ask for his forward line to rotate, with no-one naturally inclined to play on that flank.

The result was that United caused overloads in the middle of the pitch, leaving Fulham right-back Timothy Castagne often with no one to mark. Cunha's goal was a good example, the Brazilian finding space in the right channel - on the opposite side to where he was stationed - before smashing into the top corner.

Matheus Cunha of Manchester United scores

Matheus Cunha scored after being brought into the starting XI (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

3. Cuenca's long wait

We were assured that semi-automated offside decisions would speed up the game and mean fewer lengthy delays. That hasn't felt like the case and there was once again an arduous wait at Old Trafford in the second half as Fulham waited nervously to see whether they had a route back into the match.

It came in scrappy fashion with the Fulham defender putting the ball in the net after Raul Jimenez's free-kick and Samuel Chukwueze's effort had both been blocked. After over four minutes, the VAR decided that Chukwueze had been fractionally offside when Jimenez's free-kick was struck.

Jorge Cuenca (C) celebrates

Jorge Cuenca saw a goal ruled out by VAR(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

4. United resist comeback

Fulham were let into the game by Maguire's sliding challenge as he desperately tried to block Jimenez's shot on goal. In the event, the Fulham striker had already hit it straight at Senne Lammens and he was undoubtedly then fouled by the centre-back.

Jimenez kept his cool, producing a stuttering run-up and a precise finish into the top corner to make it 2-1 in the 85th minute. His effort was admired by Lammens, who shared a word with the Mexican.

Kevin then picked out the top corner to make it 2-2, but United didn't let their heads drop and Sesko kept his cool to win it.

Raul Jimenez of Fulham celebrates scoring

Raul Jimenez kept his composure from the penalty spot(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

5. Carrick stating his case

Carrick was brought in as an interim boss until the end of the season. United's hierarchy have been at pains to make it clear that they will be going for a big name manager in the summer. But the more games that Carrick wins, the more the positivity grows, the more they will be under pressure to seriously consider their ex-midfielder.

Because these performances are night and day compared to the final stages of Ruben Amorim's reign. Gone is the dreaded 3-4-2-1 formation. All the players are in their best positions. They look fluid in attack and much more solid in defence - despite the late wobble here. And they just keep on winning.