Carrick: Failing to beat Fulham was 'criminal'

The 32-year-old thought he had earned the struggling Red Devils a morale-boosting win, but Darren Bent's injury-time header snatched a point for the Cottagers.



Michael Carrick believes that Manchester United's failure to beat Fulham on Sunday was "criminal".

The England international looked to have handed the reigning Premier League champions all three points at Old Trafford with a deflected strike 10 minutes from time, shortly after Robin van Persie had cancelled out Steve Sidwell's first-half opener.

There was to be a dramatic injury-time twist, however, as Darren Bent headed home a 94th-minute leveller for rock-bottom Fulham.

United dominated possession and had 31 shots on goal, leaving Carrick at a loss to explain how David Moyes' men only gained a point.

Moyes: Manchester United were unlucky

Darren Bent's injury-time equaliser earned the Cottagers a point at Old Trafford, and the champions' manager feels the match statistics are evidence his side deserved to win.

David Moyes again bemoaned Manchester United's luck after his side were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Darren Bent's 94th-minute equaliser saw United lose further ground in their bid for a Champions League place, leaving them nine points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

 Moyes was at a loss to explain the result after he watched his side put in 81 crosses, enjoy 75 per cent possession and have 31 shots on goal - 25 more than their opponents.

Manchester United can be easy to defend against, says Meulensteen

The 49-year-old admits his side's draw at Old Trafford feels like a win after Darren Bent's stoppage time equaliser gave the Cottagers a vital Premier League point.

 

Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen has praised his side’s defending after their 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The visitors took the lead through Steve Sidwell but looked to be heading for defeat after goals by Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick gave David Moyes’ side the lead.

A stoppage time strike by Darren Bent rescued a point for the Premier League’s bottom side in a game in which Manchester United put in 81 crosses, but Meulensteen feels his men were not too troubled by the Red Devils.

Match Report: Manchester United 2-2 Fulham

Two goals in as many minutes from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick looked to have secured a vital win for the champions, only for the visitors to fight back at the death.

 

Darren Bent's injury-time equaliser helped rock-bottom Fulham claim a point in a dramatic 2-2 draw at Manchester United on Sunday.

Half-time substitute Bent headed in during the fourth minute of added time as United's comeback, led by late goals from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick, was ultimately denied.

Fulham – who sit bottom of the Premier League table and had lost their last 11 trips to Old Trafford – claimed a shock lead in the 19th minute through Steve Sidwell.